Despite widespread efforts to boost diversity, there are still relatively few women running global practices at the UK's top law firms. However, the support of mentors – both male and female – is helping some women to push through career barriers and take the leadership roles still predominantly occupied by men.

To coincide with International Women's Day and National Women's History Month in the US, we sought the views of female partners in management positions to find out more about the role that mentors have playing in helped them reach the upper echelons of their firms.