While this month's cover story reveals that men still dominate top-level in-house positions, the Internet has created a level playing field for legal bloggers. In fact, a woman coined the word “blawg,” a commonly used term to describe legal blogs. This woman is Denise Howell, and since 2001 she's authored the wildly popular legal blog “Bag and Baggage.”

“[My blog] is a thought space, scratch pad, launch pad, test tube, filing cabinet, sandbox and erstwhile calling card,” Howell says. “I use it to get things off my mind, chest and desk.”

A former attorney at Reed Smith, Howell now regularly speaks on the convergence of law and technology, writes a blog for ZDNet and hosts an audio series called “Sound Policy” that addresses the influence of technology on the law. This interest in legal technology comes out in Howell's blog–she often links to new legal blogs and posts podcasts.

But Bag and Baggage is so much more than just law and technology. Howell often writes about the trials and joys of motherhood, which give the reader a sense of what work/life balance means to a female lawyer.

“My own blogging has always taken a backseat to clients and family,” she says. “And with the addition of a child to our lives, my blogging has scaled back considerably.” But Howell still posts several times a week and updates her archive of legal blog links.

While this month's cover story reveals that men still dominate top-level in-house positions, the Internet has created a level playing field for legal bloggers. In fact, a woman coined the word “blawg,” a commonly used term to describe legal blogs. This woman is Denise Howell, and since 2001 she's authored the wildly popular legal blog “Bag and Baggage.”

“[My blog] is a thought space, scratch pad, launch pad, test tube, filing cabinet, sandbox and erstwhile calling card,” Howell says. “I use it to get things off my mind, chest and desk.”

A former attorney at Reed Smith, Howell now regularly speaks on the convergence of law and technology, writes a blog for ZDNet and hosts an audio series called “Sound Policy” that addresses the influence of technology on the law. This interest in legal technology comes out in Howell's blog–she often links to new legal blogs and posts podcasts.

But Bag and Baggage is so much more than just law and technology. Howell often writes about the trials and joys of motherhood, which give the reader a sense of what work/life balance means to a female lawyer.

“My own blogging has always taken a backseat to clients and family,” she says. “And with the addition of a child to our lives, my blogging has scaled back considerably.” But Howell still posts several times a week and updates her archive of legal blog links.