Share of Women Among New Partners Grows Incrementally

The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance Releases Its Annual New Partner Report

WASHINGTON, DC, October 30, 2013 — The share of women among new partner classes at major law firms gained only one percentage point in the last year. Thirty-four percent of attorneys promoted to the partnership in 2013 were women, as compared to 33 percent in 2012, according to data collected by the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance (the “Alliance”).

The Alliance’s New Partner Report compiles data from announcements and other self-reported sources from law firms about the attorneys promoted partnership in 2013. Data for over 100 of the nation’s largest law firms are detailed in the report, including members of the Alliance and many among the The American Lawyer 100 (AmLaw 100) ranks.Specifically, the report tracks the gender composition of new partner classes, and examines trends in women’s promotion to partnership over time.

“Consistent with the Alliance’s focus on advancing women, our New Partner report provides an annual snapshot on a key indicator of the inclusiveness of the legal profession at senior levels. We will continue to track this data and make recommendations for ways to increase the rate of progress, as the lack of gender parity in promotions to partner is a threat to the sustainability of the profession,” said Alliance President and CEO Manar Morales.

Over a five-year period, the proportion of women among new partner classes has moved only six percentage points – from 29 percent in 2009 to 34 percent in 2013. This year, 14 firms reported no women among attorneys promoted to the partnership, yet 22 reported at least a 50/ 50 split in the new partner class. “With women making up barely a fifth of law firm partnerships, promotions to partnership are an important metric to follow to close the gender gap,” said Morales.

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The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance is a think tank dedicated to creating work environments centered on inclusion and innovative thought leadership. The Alliance provides practical solutions that increase organizational effectiveness and create high performance cultures leveraging diversity and flexibility.

More information about the Alliance can be found at dfalliance.com.

Contact —

Denise A. Robinson
Director of Research
denise@dfalliance.com