According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, a woman has been named as the first female chair at each of two major U.S. law firms. The article also quoted statistics from the National Association of Women Lawyers, showing that women account for one-third of U.S. lawyers and judges, but make up just 17% of equity partners at the nation’s 200 largest law firms.
The two new law firm leaders are Jami Wintz McKeon of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and Therese Pritchard of Bryan Cave.
Ms. McKeon was quoted as saying, “When I came to the firm there were no women partners; I worked for all men. But there was no question that each was giving me the same opportunities and mentoring they were giving to men..I was on a level playing field, and that’s what we really want.”