Letter from the editor

Yes we can

There are a few moments in our lives when we can be certain we are witnessing history in the making, when we know that our memory of a particular time or event will forever be imprinted on our minds.
These time-defining events can take any form, from the first man landing on the moon to the fall of the Berlin Wall, but they are invariably almost always defined by searing tragedy. I can remember with crisp clarity, for example, the morning I woke to find Princess Diana had been killed in a car crash; where I was when I learnt an airplane had been flown into the World Trade Centre; and, more recently the moment I heard terrorists had targeted the London public transport network in July 2005. So it makes an immensely refreshing change that the most recent of these rare historical moments is defined not by a sense of tragedy but rather an optimistic euphoria. I am, of course referring to the election of Barack Hussein Obama – an event which seemed temporarily to lift the spirits of millions, regardless of their nationality. The election of the first African American US president was after all a welcome relieve from the fiscal gloom which has dominated the minds of many, and the headlines, the world over for some time.
But as the euphoria subsides, and with confirmation now that Obama’s presidential team will include a female secretary of state with a long-standing commitment to improving the status of women and children around the world, what effect will this election have on women in the legal profession? With an African American lawyer as US president, will law firms across the globe be reminded that the profession has become much more diverse in recent years and that it is, therefore, critical that legal teams reflect this? This issue we sought to clarify just that, through a series of articles assessing how recent global developments could impact the legal profession. And with Beatrice O’ Donnell, a partner at US firm Duane Morris LLP assessing the effect of the election of Obama (page 14) and Lauren Stiller Rikleen discussing how to promote positive change during a downturn (page 9), I’m sure you will not be disappointed.
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome three new members to Women Legal’s editorial advisory board. Paulette Brown, a partner and first chief diversity officer at US firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP; Jan Anne Dubin, North American business development director for international firm Baker & Mckenzie; and Marianne M. Trost, the founder of The Women Lawyers Coach LLC, join – each bringing with them a wealth of experience in diversity issues and gender equality intiatives. I have no doubt they will be an exciting new addition to the magazine.
As always, I would love to hear your feedback, or any ideas for features you would like to see in the magazine. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this issue.

Lucy McNulty,
Editor

Features

Case study: Addleshaw Goddard LLP This article is for subscribers only
Jane Amphlett, a partner and equality team leader at UK law firm Addleshaw Goddard LLP, discusses how her firm plans to attract, retain and train female professionals.

Case study: Reed Smith This article is for subscribers only
Catherine Chaskin, a partner at Reed Smith and chair of the Women’s Career Advancement Initiative (WCAI) reveals why programmes like this are the future for law firm gender equality initiatives.

Masterclass:Showing the way This article is for subscribers only
A how-to guide to launching a successful women’s initiative

Case study: Freehills This article is for subscribers only
Frances Drummond, intellectual property lawyer and partner at Australian law firm Freehills, reveals how networks can be used to create a supportive firm-wide work environment for mothers and mothers-to-be.

Cover feature: SPEAKING UP This article is for subscribers only
Is sexual harassment still an issue faced by women in the legal profession worldwide and what is being done to address the issue? Lucy McNulty reports.

Meet the editorial advisory board Free
An introduction to the newest members of Women Legal's editorial advisory board.

Thought leader: Escaping unemployment during economic stress This article is for subscribers only
Over the years, I have seen many lawyers perplexed when simply adding a few lines of updated text to their six-year-old resume fails to bring in job offers. Conducting a job search in today’s highly competitive legal market requires strategy, a strong network and an engaged search approach to land a new position.

Regulars

The last word: Cheating the credit crunch Free
Marianne M. Trost, 'The Women Lawyers Coach' revelas how we can use the pinch for positive change.

Lifestyle: FEMALE COLLEAGUE: FRIEND OR FOE? This article is for subscribers only
An insight into whether ‘queen bee’ syndrome is fact or fiction.

Opinion: What a difference a day makes… This article is for registered users only
Beatrice O’ Donnell, partner at US firm Duane Morris LLP, assesses the effect of the election of Barack Obama.

Opinion: Diversity in a downturn This article is for subscribers only
Lauren Stiller Rikleen, executive director of The Bowditch Institute for Women’s Success and Women Legal editorial advisory board member, reveals why a downturn is the perfect time for law firms to promote gender equality initiatives.