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All Eyes on Big Law’s Diversity Problem

The lack of minorities and women at the top of Big Law is not a new situation, but the enduring problem is prompting high-profile discrimination claims against firms and has garnered the attention of mainstream media. In this Instant Insights, we examine the problem and how firms are reacting to the spotlight.

News

170 GCs Pen Open Letter to Law Firms: Improve on Diversity or Lose Our Business

Christine Simmons | January 27, 2019

Top lawyers at major companies banded together to craft an ultimatum after seeing "largely male and largely white" new law firm partner classes at Paul Weiss and other firms.

Commentary

But Where Are the Black Partners?

Vivia Chen | January 15, 2019

New partner classes include more women and minorities, with one glaring omission.
News

In Media Glare on Diversity, Paul Weiss Says It Takes a 'Different' View

Christine Simmons | January 28, 2019

In an internal email, chairman Brad Karp partly rebutted a New York Times report on the firm's struggles surrounding diversity, writing that its record was "significantly better than our peer firms."
News

Law Firms Took Steps Forward in Diversity in 2018, Not Leaps: Report

Scott Flaherty | January 09, 2019

Among the findings by the National Association for Legal Placement: Just 4.48 percent of law firm associates were African-American last year.
'Demoralizing:' Women GCs Talk About Sexism from Outside Counsel

Caroline Spiezio | January 23, 2019

Paternalism, anger and avoidance from firm lawyers are some of their shared experiences, which also guide in-house counsel's choices when selecting outside attorneys.