Infobit: Since 1985, law schools have been graduating classes of new lawyers that are 40% or more female. Yet in 1996, only 14.2% of law firm partners were women, and in 2005, only 17.2% were women. (Note: this figure is for all partners; the number of equity partners is lower.) Source: Catalyst. At this rate of increase, women should make up half of law firm partners by the year 2115.

For past Infobits, check our the Infobit Archive.

3. The hours that part-time attorneys at my firm contract to work

Full-time attorneys do a variety of things in addition to billing time: networking; bar work; article writing; pro bono; firm administrative work; continuing legal education; and more. All of these additional activities enhance the full-time attorneys as professionals and increase their chances of being promoted to partnership. Part-time attorneys must similarly participate in additional activities if they are to advance professionally, and their schedules must give them time to do it.

Many part-time attorneys have told us that they have to focus so much on billing their required time that they never get around to business development and the like. Allowing some contracted time to be used for pro bono work is good, but insufficient to grow and retain a well-rounded attorney.

Back to Quiz