Solo Practice

Big News (NOT): Starting A Firm Helps Work Life Balance

Nearly two years ago, I posted here about a panel addressing the issue of gender equality in the legal profession.  Strikingly absent from the panel, however, were solo female lawyers.  A month later, I wondered why we should care whether women reach the top at large firms, given that many voluntarily chose a better option - to start their own firms. 

Now, two years later, women are finally starting to "get it" - and the legal media is picking up on the trend as well.  This story from Washington Legal Times reports on Erica Leatham, a former associate at Holland and Knight who along with some colleagues, started the law firm,  Stark Meyers to gain more flexibility.  Yes, she still works biglaw hours but she has the flexibility to work those hours when she wants, not when her employer so demands.

In an age where female and male lawyers have the ability to leverage technology to work when and where we choose, why are women still clamoring for equality at law firms?  Seems to me that in a new economy,  begging for scraps like worklife balance and fewer billable hours is just  so yesterday.

Full post as published by My Shingle.com on January 23, 2008 (boomark / email).