Supporting Women Lawyers in BC

Why is support for women lawyers needed in BC?

The public is best served when lawyers reflect the communities they represent. Women have been participating in the legal profession in BC in numbers equal to or greater than men for more than a decade. Yet women represent only about 34 per cent of all practising lawyers in the province and only about 29 per cent of lawyers in full-time private practice.

The Law Society is concerned that women are leaving the profession disproportionately. In 2016, the attrition rate was 25.8% for women (with 21.4% non-practising and 4.4% ceased members), and 17.5% for men (with 11.8% non-practising members and 5.7% ceased members). The choice to leave is an individual one, but there are certain common factors, such as a lack of mentorship and the need for greater flexibility and control over work-life balance. 

On the Path to Equity for Women in Law (2022)

In April 2022 the Law Society of BC, the International Association of Women Judges, and the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch hosted an event, On the Path to Equity for Women in Law. This event included roundtable discussions on the progress made by women in law and the challenges that remain in ensuring pay equity, progression of women to leadership roles, and retention of skilled women lawyers throughout BC.

With input from students, lawyers, and judges, the event provided space for discussion on important topics related to gender equity and allowed participants to create community among women in the profession. Below are both the background report and the event summary covering important takeaways from the roundtable discussions on gender equity in the legal profession.

On the Path to Equity for Women in Law Event Summary

On the Path to Equity for Women in Law Background Report

Retrospective analysis (1992-2017)

2017 marked 25 years since the Law Society produced an extensive report regarding gender and the legal profession. Gender Equality in the Justice System documented the difficulties that many women have faced in the practice of law. The report included a number of recommendations, many of which were aimed at the Law Society. The anniversary of the report presents an opportunity to reflect on the Law Society’s efforts to improve gender equality in the legal profession over the past 25 years.

Read Retrospective Analysis of Gender in the Legal Profession in BC (1992-2017).

Justicia in BC is a program that brings together representative from law firms on a voluntary basis to reduce gender disparities in private practice. The Justicia in BC project has been active since 2012, with the objectives of developing best practices to track gender demographics in private firms; reviewing/introducing flexible work arrangements and parental leave policies; adopting initiatives to foster women’s networking and business development and promoting leadership skills for women.

Work is currently ongoing to consider the development of new, updated resources to support the retention and advancement of women and individuals from equity-deserving groups in the legal profession. In the meantime, resources developed by other Canadian law societies are available below.