Gender pay equity has become an increasing concern for companies large and small, because of an onslaught of tougher government legislation and regulations, particularly at the state level, and lawsuit risks for unexplained pay gaps.

Now an increasing number of companies are undertaking voluntary pay audits to identify any such gaps, according to several participants at a Sept. 26 pay equity event organized by the Association of Corporate Counsel Georgia chapter’s Women’s Initiative. The event, held at Georgia State University’s College of Law building, attracted about 75 in-house counsel from a range of local companies. Almost all of the attendees were women.