Women and Equal Treatment At Law Firms
In New York City and elsewhere, law firms have begun to tailor programs to women. Bryan Cave in New York recently hosted a shoe shopping day for its female attorneys and clients. Skadden Arps held its ninth women's retreat for its female attorneys and Akin Gump hosted a similar retreat in D.C.
This raises an interesting question as to how law firms should foster equality within their firms and with clients. These events do provide a forum for female attorneys and clients to build a relationship and they also allow the firms to create a more comfortable work environment for their attorneys. On the other hand, these events also inherently divide offices based upon gender lines and some, like the one hosted by Bryan Cave, create opportunities where female attorneys have greater access to female clients possibly to the detriment of male members of the firm.
This possible "inequality" will most likely produce a net benefit for firms and for women in the legal profession. I think men will be able to cope with lost retreats if it means a more diverse and happy field of colleagues as well as a more congenial atmosphere for female clients.
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