2016: Biglaw Partner Alleges Sexism Derailed Her Career In A New Lawsuit
Michele Burke Craddock, a former partner at LeClairRyan, filed suit against the firm at the start of the new year, alleging gender-based discrimination and retaliation. She claimed that despite hitting her revenue and hours targets, she was paid roughly half of what male attorneys were paid, as a result of back-office deals and the unequal application of the firm’s compensation criteria for partners. Craddock further alleged that originating lawyers at the firm got to decide which lawyers would perform work on their matters, a practice that “perpetuate[d] the male shareholders’ ability to reward other male attorneys.” We’ll continue to follow this suit as it progresses in the courts.
2016: Biglaw Partner Files Class Action Lawsuit Over ‘Male-Dominated Culture’
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Traci Ribeiro, an insurance partner in Sedgwick’s Chicago office with an impressive book of business, filed suit against the firm this summer, alleging that women at the firm are routinely paid less than their male counterparts. As one of the top three rainmakers at Sedgwick, Ribeiro found herself unable to become an equity partner, and she claims that female associates sometimes were paid up to $50,000 less than male associates in the same class year. When Ribeiro attempted to advocate for female associates who were being shortchanged, a male equity partner allegedly told her that she “needed to learn how to behave,” and suggested she receive a pay cut. Ribeiro has requested that women at her firm receive class certification, so we’ll be closely watching further developments in this case as they unfold.
Because the situation for female lawyers has been so bad lately, this list goes up to 11…
2016: Biglaw Firm Hit With $100 Million Class Action Gender Discrimination Lawsuit
Kerrie Campbell, a litigation partner in Chadbourne & Parke’s Washington, D.C., office, filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the firm this summer on behalf of current and former female partners, alleging that women at the firm faced gender discrimination. In her complaint, she accuses Chadbourne of excluding women from positions with decision-making authority, paying them less, and giving them smaller bonuses than their male counterparts. Campbell claims that she herself is underpaid by approximately $2.7 million. Her attorney, David Sanford, had this to say about his client’s suit against the firm: “Chadbourne & Parke seems to be operating in the dark ages when it comes to gender equality. Chadbourne may talk a good game about treating its lawyers fairly and equally, but Ms. Campbell’s allegations show that at Chadbourne gender discrimination is standard operating procedure.” Since her suit was filed, 14 female partners from the firm’s U.S. offices have spoken out against it, and a representative of the firm says that Campbell’s suit is “riddled with falsehoods” and is “confident that her allegations will be shown to be completely baseless.” We’ll be keeping a close eye on this case.
That was dispiriting. Hasn’t there been any good news for women in the law in the last 10 years? Of course! Turn to the last page to see some of the highlights for women in the legal profession that have happened in the past decade.
Staci Zaretsky is an editor at Above the Law. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. Follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.