Topic: Women in Leadership Roles in the Legal Profession
By: Simone Colgan Dunlap (March 2010)

Simone Colgan Dunlap is a Health Law Attorney in Quarles & Brady's Phoenix Office. 

Despite the fact that women have been entering the legal profession in equal proportion to men for some time, the number of women in leadership positions has not adjusted to reflect this reality. Knowing this, when it came time to choose where I would practice, I examined predictable variables like reputation, quality of work, and billable hour requirements, but I also looked at how firms approached diversity–particularly gender diversity. I compared firm policies, talked frankly with lawyers, and examined the number of women partners. My research led me to Quarles & Brady.

My experience at Quarles & Brady has demonstrated to me that the firm is invested in the long-term success of its women lawyers. Women are managing partners in four of the firm's six offices, three women serve on our Executive Committee, women hold forty percent of all leadership roles, and the firm provides leadership programs that promote skill building and support for women at all stages of their careers.  One program that has proved to be particularly meaningful for me is the monthly lunch meetings for women lawyers during their first three years of practice.  The meetings are a great way to network, exchange information, build friendships, and even find mentors.

However, the firm's commitment to women lawyers extends beyond a culture of acceptance and internal programming. I am involved in a non-profit organization called Ms. JD, http://ms-jd.org/, which is dedicated to advancing the role of women in the legal profession.  Last year, in my first year as an associate, I served as the conference co-chair for Ms. JD's 3rd Conference on Women in the Law: Avenues to Advancement.  I was nervous about how the firm would view such a significant time commitment, but the firm was overwhelmingly supportive.  The firm graciously printed last minute materials, ensured that I was able to take time off, and even agreed to be a sponsor.

I am proud to report that the feedback from conference attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. Students rated the skills-workshop among the most valuable experiences of their legal education. That assessment was echoed by the volunteer faculty (which included Quarles & Brady's own Janine Landow-Esser) who worked with them and described the workshop as the best of its kind. Given this feedback, Ms. JD now plans to replicate this workshop model for junior associates as well as other students groups. Of course, the aim of the conference was not just to disseminate content, but also to strengthen Ms. JD's community presence. On that count, the conference was a great success. In the months following the conference, Ms. JD's online traffic has steadily increased and now receives roughly 115,000 unique visits per month, making Ms. JD.org the central online meeting place for women in law and the nexus between women in the profession and law students aspiring to join them. 
 
I am grateful for Quarles & Brady's involvement as a conference sponsor and its continuing support of my involvement with Ms. JD.  I am committed to advancing the role of women in the legal profession and it is nice to know my firm is too. 

In researching law firms, how have you evaluated firms' commitment to the development of women lawyers?  I'd like to hear from you.  Please contact me at .