Visible Invisibility Women of Color in Law Firms

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Survey 72% overall response rate (920 respondents) 74% women of color (632 respondents) 60% men of color (132 respondents) 79% white women (194 respondents) 64% white men (157 respondents)

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Women of Color Focus Groups Chicago Chicago New York City New York City Los Angeles Los Angeles Atlanta Atlanta Washington, DC Washington, DC

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Experience Differential

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Demeaning Comments or Harassment 49% of women of color reported having experienced demeaning comments or harassment a law firm 49% of women of color reported having experienced demeaning comments or harassment a law firm 3% of white men reported demeaning comments or harassment 3% of white men reported demeaning comments or harassment

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Lack of Networking Approximately 63% of women of color reported that they were excluded from formal and informal networking opportunities Approximately 63% of women of color reported that they were excluded from formal and informal networking opportunities 4% of white men reported that they were excluded 4% of white men reported that they were excluded

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Denial of Assignments 44 % of women of color reported that they were denied desirable assignments 44 % of women of color reported that they were denied desirable assignments 2% of white men reported being denied desirable assignments 2% of white men reported being denied desirable assignments

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Lack of Access to Billable Hours 46% of women of color reported meeting billable hour requirements 46% of women of color reported meeting billable hour requirements 58% of white men reported meeting billable hour requirements 58% of white men reported meeting billable hour requirements

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Challenges to Client Development Opportunities 43% women of color reported having limited client development opportunities 43% women of color reported having limited client development opportunities 3% of white men reported having limited client development opportunities 3% of white men reported having limited client development opportunities women of color “met with clients when it was advantageous to the firm”

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Unfair Performance Evaluations 33% of women of color reported they had received unfair performance evaluations 33% of women of color reported they had received unfair performance evaluations 1% of white men reported receiving unfair performance evaluations 1% of white men reported receiving unfair performance evaluations “soft evaluations” denied women of color the opportunity to improve…and gain experiences that lead to promotions and partnership

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Salary Differential Overall, lawyers of color were compensated less than their white counterparts

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Salary Impact men of color earned approximately 1/3 more than women of color men of color earned approximately 1/3 more than women of color white women earned approximately 2/3 more than women of color white women earned approximately 2/3 more than women of color white men earned nearly double the salary of women of color white men earned nearly double the salary of women of color

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Motivation 77% of women of color are the sole or primary income provider 77% of women of color are the sole or primary income provider 81% of white men are also the sole or primary income provider 81% of white men are also the sole or primary income provider

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Attrition 53% of women of color remained employed at firms 53% of women of color remained employed at firms 72% of white men remained employed at law firms 72% of white men remained employed at law firms women of color left to pursue employment in corporations and other environments that they perceived to value them and offer more opportunities

ABA Commission on Women Women of Color Research Initiative Project Recommendations At a minimum, stay compliant with anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and hold people accountable for non-compliance. At a minimum, stay compliant with anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and hold people accountable for non-compliance. Integrate women of color into existing measurement efforts, your firm’s professional fabric, social fabric. Integrate women of color into existing measurement efforts, your firm’s professional fabric, social fabric. Support women of color’s efforts to build internal and external support systems. Support women of color’s efforts to build internal and external support systems.