The Workplace Environment Survey in New Zealand has revealed Pacific lawyers face higher levels of bullying and discrimination than the profession overall

Results from the Workplace Environment Survey (WPES) in New Zealand reveal that Pacific lawyers, particularly Pacific women, face higher rates of bullying, harassment, and discrimination than the overall legal profession. The New Zealand Law Society commissioned additional reporting to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Pacific lawyers. While overall statistics for lawyers…

Women lawyers now make up the majority of associates in the USA but still face many diversity challenges

A report by the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) reveals that women now constitute the majority of associates at US law firms, making up 50.3% according to the organisation’s Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms. The report also indicates a record growth in women at the partnership level, constituting 27.8% of all partners…

The New South Wales solicitor profession has made positive progress on gender equity

A study commissioned by the Law Society of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia shows positive momentum towards gender equality in the legal profession, with modest improvements in career expectations compared to their male colleagues. The 2022 Annual Profile of Solicitors NSW reveals a growing, vibrant, and diverse profession that is actively working to attract…

National Bar Association survey finds black female lawyers in the US continue to experience high rates of discrimination

A National Bar Association (NBA) survey finds black women lawyers continue to experience high rates of discrimination and bias. During 2022, 163 members of the NBA WLD and other Black women’s legal organizations were surveyed. The survey found that 70% of Black women lawyers had experienced or witnessed discrimination and bias in the workplace. The…

The National Association for Law Placement’s (NALP) report on diversity discusses the progress made and the ongoing challenges for LGBTQ+ lawyers in US

The National Association for Law Placement’s (NALP) recent report on diversity in U.S. law firms shows that the overall percentage of LGBTQ+ lawyers increased to 4.17% in 2022, roughly half a percentage point higher than in 2021 and almost 4 times the amount of LGBTQ+ attorneys reported in 2002. Representation has increased at a more…

A study by The National Association of Law Placement in the US has found black and Latina lawyers remain unrepresented at partner level

The National Association of Law Placement has conducted its 2022 Report on Diversity in Law Firms. The report highlights the “excruciatingly slow” progress for black and Latina lawyers at partner level across the US. Currently these two groups each make up less than 1% of all partners in 2022. Conversely, women in general now make…

The Victoria Legal Services Board in Australia has published its Gender Equality Action Plan 2022-2025

The Victoria Legal Services Board has published its Gender Equality Action Plan 2022-2025, with a view to challenging gender inequality within the organisation. The key focus areas, actions and measures identified in the GEAP align with objectives in VLSB+C’s Corporate Plan 2022-24, particularly in the People, Technology and Governance section of the plan. That section…

The Legal Services Consumer Panel in England and Wales has found ethnic minority clients feel they are not listened to by lawyers

New qualitative research commissioned by the Legal Services Consumer Panel of England and Wales highlights that ethnic minority consumers have lower levels of satisfaction with legal services they have received. The report also suggests ways in which they can be improved. The in-depth engagement with ethnic minority consumers shows that they want prompt, proactive and…

The 2022 Law School Survey for Student Engagement finds female students more likely to participate in online law school courses

The Law School Survey for Student Engagement has found female students and students who do not identify with their gender assigned at birth are more likely to participate in classes if they are online. The LSSSE surveyed more than 13,000 law students at 70 law schools in 2022. The goal of the survey, which was administered by…

The Legal Services Board of England and Wales consulted on experiences of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession

The LSB conducted qualitative research into legal professionals’ lived experiences of counter-inclusive practices. This is with the aim of informing future LSB research and policy activity on equality, diversity and inclusion. The research will also be shared amongst other regulators and professional bodies to better understand the barriers people face during their careers and to…

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