NEW
YORK, July 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leopard
Solutions, a SurePoint company, unveils its latest white paper,
"Diversity in Big Law: Aspirations, Challenges, and the Path
Forward." This in-depth report, conducted in partnership with Above
the Law, analyzes a survey of underrepresented attorneys at leading
law firms. It offers valuable insights into their career goals,
experiences with bias, and preferred diversity initiatives.
The survey responses shed light on the challenges some
underrepresented attorneys still face, while also highlighting
opportunities for firms to better engage this demographic.
Key Findings:
- Strong Partnership Aspirations: 70% of surveyed
attorneys from underrepresented groups see partnership as a viable
career goal.
- Retention Trends: Many diverse attorneys plan long-term
stays at their current firms (33% aiming for 3-7 years, 26%
targeting partnership, and 38% envisioning retirement with their
firm).
- Openness to Non-Traditional Paths: Over half (52%)
express interest in non-traditional career options beyond law
firms.
- Bias Encountered: A significant majority (62%) report
encountering bias within their firms.
- A third of the respondents cited that "window dressing" is
an example of biases they encountered; whereby diverse
attorneys are included in client pitches but not assigned to the
resulting work.
- Limited Satisfaction with Diversity Initiatives: Less
than 20% find initiatives like "equal treatment programs"
effective.
- Favorable Initiatives: Formal mentoring, professional
development, and incorporating diversity into performance reviews
are viewed positively.
- Profit Motive as Equalizer: Some respondents believe
billing performance can overcome bias.
A Call for Action
This white paper illuminates the aspirations, challenges, and
preferences of diverse attorneys in Big Law. While the respondents
mostly had a positive outlook toward their future at Big Law, some
raised concerns about exclusion from projects after securing
pitches or being used as "window dressing" to help get the
business. For the respondents who cited that they were used to help
clinch pitches, 15% further expressed that they were included in
pitch meetings that did not even concern their practice areas.
This highlights the importance of firms measuring work
distribution and ensuring equitable opportunities. "If firms are
not measuring how work is distributed, it's nearly impossible to
rectify imbalances," says Laura
Leopard, Founder and General Manager of Leopard Solutions, a
SurePoint company. "Implementing such a system can demonstrate
fairness and commitment to improvement."
By understanding these diverse perspectives, law firms can
create more inclusive and equitable environments for all.
Leopard Solutions has been compiling and tracking diversity in
law firms for decades and our diversity filter has aided the
industry in hiring under-represented groups. Leopard Diversity
Probability Index is derived from multiple diversity identifiers
with no distinct ethnicity and personal data that allows objective
scoring of a firm or an individual attorney, which can be assessed
for real time analysis via its platform.
Download the full white paper here.
About Leopard Solutions, a SurePoint Company
Leopard Solutions, a SurePoint Company, is a leading legal
market intelligence provider that offers curated real-time insights
and intelligence for legal professionals seeking to build an
analytical understanding for better business and recruiting
strategies.
Our diverse data solutions are designed to fulfill a wide
variety of intelligence needs, from job searches to recruitment to
competitive intelligence in the legal industry, serving law firms,
legal service providers, recruiters, law schools, and corporations.
Leopard Solutions' data and technology are continuously updated to
ensure market relevance and a competitive edge.
Established in 2004, Leopard Solutions has not just grown, but
flourished, into one of the most recognized and trusted legal
market intelligence providers in the
United States. Our reputation for accuracy, reliability, and
trustworthiness is a testament to our commitment to providing you
with the best possible service and data.
Leopard Solutions is now part of SurePoint Technologies, a
leading provider of innovative legal software solutions for
mid-sized law firms. The combined 60 years of data from these two
companies will provide unparalleled benchmarking insights and
intelligence for the legal community. Learn more:
https://surepoint.com/solutions-overview/leopard-solutions/
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SOURCE Leopard Solutions LLC