Law Students

Is Losing Lockstep a Step Backwards for Women?

By jep

Many firms such as DLA Piper, Howrey, and Orrick are moving away from or re-examining  a lockstep program of training and compensation. The lockstep program is a training and compensation program based objectively on the number of years served.  While the lockstep program may not be perfect, it was an objective way to ensure that the base level for associates was fair.  And while these other compensation models will likely take into account measurable and objective factors, they will likely also rely on subjective factors, many of which are outside an associate's control, such as who you work for or what case or project you work on. 

Proponents of moving away from the lockstep system say that we should not be afraid of a merit based system and that if you work hard you will be rewarded; however, associates will now have no guarantee of a level playing field.  This may prove particularly problematic for young female associates. For one, this is a prime child-bearing age for women. Will losing lockstep affect women who choose to take advantage of flex time or maternity options at their firm? Or will women who are still learning to find their voice at their firm lose out because they are criticized for not being aggressive enough or not speaking up? Hopefully these new compensation systems will not affect women disparately, but just in case, women attorneys may want to ?watch their step.?

read more

Full post as published by Ms. JD on July 06, 2009 (boomark / email).