The Partnership Glass Ceiling

By Barbara Kiviat

The number of female and minority legal professionals jumped significantly over the past three decades, but many remain in junior positions, with white males still running the most major law firms, according to a study released last week by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Women now account for 40% of legal professionals, compared with just 14% in 1975. Over that time period, the number of African Americans doubled, to 4%, and the number of Hispanics quadrupled, to 3%. Still, white men make up more than 60% of firm partners, though that may be partly the result of low turnover or the tenure needed to make partner. The study concludes that among large firms, equal promotion is now a more pressing issue than equal hiring.