Studies continue to show a gender pay disparity in the legal profession. But there are ways to help close the gap, Kim Rivera, chief legal officer and general counsel at HP Inc., said at a recent event at the United Nations headquarters in New York City focused on celebrating — and honoring — women who have broken through barriers to become leaders in the practice of law.

The Association of Corporate Counsel Foundation honored three women Tuesday at the second annual ACC Foundation Global Women in Law & Leadership event: Nadja Bellan-White, executive vice president of global brand management for Ogilvy & Mather EMEA, who was unable to attend the event; Sabrina Shizue McKenna, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii; and Rivera. During the event, Rivera and McKenna discussed their career paths and provided advice for women lawyers.

A recurring question for professional women seems to be how to ensure they are paid the same as their male counterparts. Whether in-house or at a firm, the reality is that pay inequity problems persist. To fight against this, Rivera said negotiation is key.