Letter from the editor

A new era...

The American author and critic, Mayra Mannes, once wrote: “Nobody objects to a woman being a good writer or sculptor or geneticist if at the same time she manages to be a good wife, a good mother, good-looking, good-tempered, well-dressed, well-groomed, and unaggressive.”
It was a tell-tale insight into the many limitations women of her time faced on a daily basis. This was the 1960s — a period often referred to as ‘second wave feminism’ — when women may have gained the right to vote but still fought for equality in many other aspects of their lives, from the workplace to the home.
Fast-forward 40 years and it is remarkable how little has changed. Even in the 21st century reducing the gap between the perception of, and opportunities given to, women and men is a concern for many, as gender-based discriminations such as fewer rights, lower income and less access to resources and decision-making continue to plague women the world over. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the workplace, where complaints about an ever-present ‘glass ceiling’ preventing women from progressing up the career ladder, have now become commonplace. And the traditionally male-dominated legal sector is by no means exempt from such discrimination, as a simple search through the archive of any national newspaper would seem to prove. Law firms worldwide are oft accused of allowing gender-based discriminatory practices to continue unchallenged in the workplace.
It is for that reason that we have launched Women Legal magazine, a publication dedicated to aiding the advancement of women in the legal profession. By providing a vehicle for the sharing of best practices and opinions, as well as expert, practical guidance, we want to give women working in the legal sector across the world the recognition that they deserve.
The Women Legal editorial team is working to provide you with a valuable resource that can be used in your day-to-day activities, and as an online reference. At the heart of our success in achieving this goal is you, the reader, so if you have any issues that you are keen to address, or that you would like Women Legal to explore, please do get in touch. Similarly, if you would like to share any of your own experiences, contribute news items to our news section or have any feedback or comment for our letters page, you can contact me at lmcnulty@ark-group.com.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the first issue of the magazine and look forward to receiving your comments and feedback in the future. Many thanks also to those who have contributed articles and helped with the launch of the magazine.

Lucy McNulty, Editor.

Features

Profile: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Free

Profile: Gibbons P.C. Free

The last word: Born business boosters This article is for subscribers only
Marianne M. Trost, 'The Women Lawyers Coach' reveals how your natural abilities can be used to your advantage.

Lifestyle: Say yes to less stress This article is for subscribers only
Janine Pollack provides a candid insight into some of the time and stress management tips she uses on a day-to-day basis, and explains why even the slightest detail - such as taking the stairs or a low-fat diet - can all make a difference.

Opinion: A simple secret to success This article is for subscribers only
Nancy R. Wilsker, partner at international law firm Brown Rudnick LLP, discusses the importance of remembering you are in charge of you.

Q&A: Carla Christofferson This article is for subscribers only
Karen B. Kahn, principal, KM Advisors LLC, discusses 'super lawyers, sexism and the Los Angeles Sparks with O'Melveny & Myers' Los-Angeles managing partner, Carla Christofferson.

Case study: Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP This article is for subscribers only
An insight into the approach the US law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP takes to law firm diversity. By Leslie D. Minier and Theresa L. Davis.

Masterclass: Preparing for partnership This article is for subscribers only
Maegen Morrison, partner in the corporate practice, at Lovells reveals the obstacles facing women aiming for partnership and offers an insight in how to overcome them.

Case study: Deacons This article is for subscribers only
Kerry Little describes how Australian law firm Deacons is building a policy framework for equality to create a lasting environment for gender diversity.

Special focus: Researching racism This article is for subscribers only
An insight into the American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Women in the Profession's latest report - From Visible Invisibility to Visibly Successful: Success Strategies for Law Firms and Women of Color in Law Firms. Pamela J. Roberts reports.

Profile: Peggy Cohen This article is for subscribers only
Peggy Cohen, vice president and managing director (Northeast region) for RR Donnelley's Global Capital Markets financial services offering, discusses women's intiatives, working mothers and the work'life balance, with Lucy McNulty.

Cover feature: A woman's world? This article is for subscribers only
What obstacles are women working in the legal profession in the US, UK, Australia and Asia facing today and what is being done to address these issues? Lucy McNulty reports.

Q & A: Lauren Stiller Rikleen This article is for subscribers only
The Bowditch Institute for Women's Success aims to improve opportunities for the retention and advancement of women in the legal profession. Executive director, Lauren Stiller Rikleen, tells Women Legal about the work she is currently doing with law firms, as well as the drivers for success in gender diversity and some common stumbling blocks.

Thought Leader: Diversity, a future focus This article is for subscribers only
Each day, my inbox contains at least one or more invitations to join programmes that address gender diversity in the legal profession. Are these programmes still relevant, particularly in this presidential election year in which a woman almost won the Democratic Party nomination and a woman is the US Republican Party’s nominee for vice president?