High number of women have quit the legal profession in recent years in British Columbia inspite of the fact that more women than men enter the legal profession here. During the last year, there were nearly 260 new female lawyers in the province, when compared to 231 male lawyers , based on the 2008 annual report of the Law Society of B.C. But women represent only 34 per cent of all lawyers in British Columbia and 29 per cent of lawyers in full-time private practice, displaying a mass departure of women from law careers.The law society reported new female lawyers from 2003 to 2008 and found that one-third dropped out of the occupation in this period. On the other hand ,when compared to men,just 20 per cent of men dropped out of private practice in the same period.
The soaring drop-out rate has impelled the law society to take measures to try to preserve female lawyers. Kathryn Berge, a Victoria lawyer who chairs a Law Society committee created to address the issue, said women lawyers are leaving this profession for various reasons, including family responsibilities. Berge also added that several men and women have considerable family responsibilities.Normally what women are looking for is the same as men i.e outstanding work and opportunities for development.
An up-to-date report by the committee addressing the problem suggested the following top practices
1.Raising awareness of and correcting unintentional and concealed biases
2.Ensuring bias-free evaluations
3.Providing fair access to assignments
4.Promoting significant mentoring
5.Encouraging workplace flexibility that includes part-time schedules in order to balance life/work responsibilities
6.Offering business development opportunities for women and
7.Encouraging the growth of professional networks for women.
Berge stated that retaining female lawyers makes financial sense for both large and mediocre firms.
The soaring drop-out rate has impelled the law society to take measures to try to preserve female lawyers. Kathryn Berge, a Victoria lawyer who chairs a Law Society committee created to address the issue, said women lawyers are leaving this profession for various reasons, including family responsibilities. Berge also added that several men and women have considerable family responsibilities.Normally what women are looking for is the same as men i.e outstanding work and opportunities for development.
An up-to-date report by the committee addressing the problem suggested the following top practices
1.Raising awareness of and correcting unintentional and concealed biases
2.Ensuring bias-free evaluations
3.Providing fair access to assignments
4.Promoting significant mentoring
5.Encouraging workplace flexibility that includes part-time schedules in order to balance life/work responsibilities
6.Offering business development opportunities for women and
7.Encouraging the growth of professional networks for women.
Berge stated that retaining female lawyers makes financial sense for both large and mediocre firms.
