Five helpful lessons for women who want to climb to the top of the legal profession

Diversity in the legal profession is a work in progress. Although law schools and law firm associate ranks overall have practically achieved gender parity, women are still underrepresented in the senior levels of the legal profession. A recent MCCA survey found that only 27.7% of all law firm partners are women. Some specialties like patent law, which is my chosen practice area, remain male-dominated at all levels.

As a graduate of a women’s college, I sense the lack of female talent more acutely. Female leadership is proudly on display at women’s colleges in classes, at sporting events, and in every on-campus organization. The environment is empowering to say the least. The women’s college environment may not reflect the composition of the “real world,” but it teaches the skills needed to thrive as a woman in a male-dominated environment. It is not a coincidence that 20% of women in Congress and 33% of women on Fortune 1000 boards graduated from a women’s college.

To any woman looking to advance her career and help break through the glass ceiling, here are some lessons that I’ve found helpful:

  1. Be authentic. You will not reach your full potential if your efforts are focused on trying to be just like someone else. While we can all learn things from our bosses, mentors, and colleagues, there isn’t only one way to practice law. Embrace your natural strengths and use them to find your own style.
  2. Embrace your network. Surround yourself with supportive mentors, sponsors, and allies who will provide guidance to help you overcome obstacles and open doors to new opportunities and connections.
  3. Pay it forward. Encourage and support other women and celebrate their successes.
  4. Never stop learning. Continually hone your skills and stay up to date on the latest news, technology, and industry developments. Take time to learn about your client’s business so that you can better serve their interests.
  5. Practice active listening. Careful listening helps build trust and relationships, avoids miscommunication, promotes better understanding, and improves outcomes through better problem-solving.
  6. Volunteer for leadership opportunities. Taking the lead on a project (no matter how small) not only allows you to become comfortable with your own voice as a leader, but encourages others to see you as one.

It has been said that “if you can see it, you can be it.” Having visible role models can help inspire the next generation to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible. The glass ceiling is not impenetrable, but it will take a collective effort to chip away at and ultimately break through it. Together, we can help raise the profile of women in our profession.