The Balance- Perspective from Women on the Bench

Presenters: 
Justice Sarah Stewart, Alabama Supreme Court
Hon. Brandy Hambright, 13th Judicial Circuit
Hon. Kelly Pate, Magistrate Judge, Middle District of Alabama

Presentation Summary: 
The ABA’s 2020 Profile of the Legal Profession indicates that women make up 37% of all lawyers.  However, the article points out that only 21% of all equity partners in the United States are female.  This contrasts with the percentage of women represented in law schools at 53%.  There is clearly a retention issue of female attorney among American law firms.  Those who are retained earn on average 76% of their male counterparts.        

Where are a number of reasons why this is occurring, but based on observations and experience, we suspect it is in part because women are asked to balance much more than their male counterparts.  Hopefully, with time, attitudes and ideas about women in the workforce will shift. But, until then, we have put together a group of women to offer a unique perspective and insights about keeping the ball rolling.

Key Topics:

• The Balance: Ways to Manage Practice Expectations, the Billable Hour, Motherhood and Gender Norms.  
• What I Wish I had Known: Tips for Navigating Practice and Advancement with Greater Confidence, Less Guilt and Acceptable Boundaries.   
• Perspectives from the Bench: Observations of Female Litigators and Preferences of the Court. 

This CLE is free for ADLA members. Attorney non-members are welcome to register and attend for $25. 

This course or a portion thereof has been approved by the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission of Alabama for a maximum of 1 hours’ credit.