Last month, close to 200 female lawyers from Winston & Strawn’s worldwide offices descended on Chicago to attend the firm’s latest ‘W2W’ conference. Although some sceptics assumed this was just a get-together to discuss burning issues such as kittens and make-up, the purpose of this conference is far from fluffy.
As the number of female lawyers entering the legal profession rises, law firms have become increasingly aware of the needs and aspirations of their female lawyers and the challenges involved in improving retention rates. A growing number of City firms have established diversity policies. Although recognition and encouragement is plausible in its own right, it also makes business sense.
