Women Describe Their Experiences in Big Law—and It's Not Pretty
The lawsuit against Jones Day is just the tip of the iceberg, new research from ALM Intelligence and the American Bar Association shows.
April 18, 2019 at 08:15 AM
7 minute read
The original version of this story was published on Law.com
Earlier this month, six women sued Jones Day over alleged gender discrimination. The timing of the lawsuits coincides with the end of a yearlong research partnership between the American Bar Association and ALM Intelligence that looked into the experience of women working in Big Law. Depressingly, the findings from the research project and the details of the lawsuits have much in common.
The lawsuit against Jones Day includes details on a list of alarming behavior, including allegations of gender stereotyping during pay and promotion decisions and name-calling. In one instance a male summer associate allegedly received applause and high-fives after pushing a female summer associate into a pool at an event hosted at a partner's private home. The lawsuit also describes a woman's maternity leave experience. Upon returning from her first maternity leave she was subjected to a salary freeze and negative reviews, the suit said. After her second maternity leave, she was told to look for another job. Another suit filed last year claims the firm's compensation and performance review systems purposely discriminate against women.
In Their Own Words
The details shared in both of these suits—repercussions when returning from maternity leave, sexual harassment, verbal abuse, unfair review and compensation processes and denied opportunities—unfortunately are not unique.
NOT FOR REPRINT
© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Trending Stories
- 1The Law Firm Disrupted: For Big Law Names, Shorter is Sweeter
- 2Wine, Dine and Grind (Through the Weekend): Summer Associates Thirst For Experience in 'Real Matters'
- 3'That's Disappointing': Only 11% of MDL Appointments Went to Attorneys of Color in 2023
- 4What We Know About the Kentucky Judge Killed in His Chambers
- 5'I'm Staying Everything': Texas Bankruptcy Judge Halts Talc Trials Against J&J
Featured Firms
Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C.
(470) 294-1674
Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone
(857) 444-6468
Smith & Hassler
(713) 739-1250