Law firms drop long hours culture to woo women workers

A sharp rise in the number of women lawyers is changing the face of the legal profession, according to new legal recruitment firm Goldman Naylor.

As modern working women including working mums start to outnumber their male counterparts, law firms are being forced to reconsider the notorious long hours culture and offer family-friendly working policies to attract top talent, says managing director Catherine Naylor.

"The number of qualified female lawyers has more than doubled since 1995 and there are now more qualified women under the age of 45 than men," says Catherine. "In the past many women have found their career prospects have suffered as the demands of family life mean they are unable to work the hours expected and some have even left the profession altogether.

"However with the number of qualified women lawyers rising rapidly, firms who do not offer a working environment that is attractive to females will find they have a dwindling pool of candidates. Fortunately many law firms are beginning to recognise this and there is positive evidence to suggest firms are now offering flexible working options as a valuable tool in the war for talent."

Based in Manchester, Goldman Naylor has been set up by Catherine Naylor with backing from private investors and recruits male and female legal professionals from newly qualified to partner level. However it is offering a special service for women lawyers, including networking and liaison support groups, free life coaching and stress management to help them achieve an optimum work-life balance.

Catherine, a working mum herself, points out that the time when career pressures for lawyers are greatest - in their thirties when they are expected to put in the extra effort to make partner - is also the time many women are starting a family.

She adds: "Currently women account for 42 per cent of all qualified solicitors but 60 per cent of trainees. The law has traditionally been a male-dominated industry but as the new generation of women come through, the balance is swinging in the opposite direction.

"Women are changing the face of the profession. Tomorrow's partner is more likely to be female, with very different ideas and aspirations and demanding a better work-life balance. Firms are now beginning to wake up to the changes ahead."

Victoria Taylor, chair of the Manchester branch of the Association of Women Solicitors, says: “We support any moves to promote the potential and success of women solicitors throughout their career, including finding ways to stop valuable women solicitors leaving the profession."