Share of Women Among New Partners Rebounds
The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance Releases Its Annual New Partner Report
WASHINGTON, DC, November 9, 2015 — Women constitute over one-third of 2015 new partner classes in the U.S. offices of the nation’s major law firms, according to data collected by the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance (the “Alliance”). At 34.4 percent, the share of women among new partner classes has climbed over two percentage points from last year (32 percent in 2014), and meets the figure from 2013. Key findings from the report include:
– Alliance member firms again surpass the national average, with women constituting 36 percent of their new partner classes.
– Fewer firms – 14 this year, compared to 16 in 2014 – report no women among attorneys promoted to partnership in U.S. offices.
– Over one in five (22.8 percent) of firms report that women make up at least half of the new partner class.
The Alliance’s New Partner Report compiles yearly data from announcements and other self-reported sources from law firms about the attorneys promoted to partnership. Data for 118 of the nation’s largest law firms are detailed in the report, including Alliance member firms. Specifically, the report tracks the gender composition of new partner classes and examines trends in women’s promotion to partnership over time.
“The New Partner Report examines a key indicator of the inclusion of women at senior levels in the profession. We are pleased to see that the share of women in new partner classes has climbed again, and will continue our work to help firms achieve gender equality in law firm partnerships,” said Alliance President & CEO, Manar 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
