Women in the Legal Profession

TLDR

The legal profession has seen a rapid rise in female membership, prompting multidisciplinary studies on its feminization. The review investigates integration and inequality in contemporary legal careers, examining women’s experiences, responses, and impact on the profession. The authors document and assess theoretical explanations of gender inequalities across legal education, hiring, remuneration, promotions, and other professional opportunities.

Abstract

In recent years, the legal profession has undergone significant change, with rapidly rising numbers of women among its membership. Scholars of legal history, sociology, economics, organizational behavior, and law have examined various dimensions of the feminization of the legal profession. This review traces the parameters of integration and inequality in the careers of women and men in the contemporary legal profession. We document and assess the theoretical explanations of gender inequalities that persist across legal education, hiring, remuneration, promotions, and other professional opportunities in law. We also examine women's responses to their experiences and women's impact on the law and the profession.