Women in the Firm: Glass Ceilings, Sticky Floors

Betinna Plevan of Proskauer Rose was prominently mentioned in an article in the New York Times (Sunday, March 19) that examined why so few women stay around to make partner at big law firms, despite the fact that the percentage of females and males passing the bar each year is equal. Ms. Plevan, a specialist in labor and employment, president of the New York City bar, and a “Best Lawyer in America” for the last 13 years, has been at Proskauer for more than 30 years. Also mentioned in story (“Up the Down Staircase,” by Timonthy L. O’Brien), are Karen Lockwood of Howrey in Washington, D.C.; Michael Boone of Haynes and Boone in Dallas; Jennifer Bluestein of Baker & McKenzie in Chicago; and Lauren Still Rikleen of Bowditch & Dewey; Jane DiRenzo Pigott of Winston & Strawn in Chicago; and Edit Matthai of Robie & Matthai in Los Angeles. Note that data for the number of female partners and associates at the top 250 firms in the U.S. is available through ALM Research Online as part of the Diversity Scorecard.