Earlier this month, six women sued Jones Day over alleged gender discrimination. The timing of the lawsuits coincides with the end of a year-long 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 behaviour, 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.