Public Interest: Woman-Friendly or Friendly Woman?

Are women attracted to public interest law because it is a friendlier environment for women? Rather, the opposite seems to be true. A 2004 study by Harvard Law students showed that twice the percentage of women than men said that “helping others” was one of the most important factors in choosing a career. Relatedly, women have achieved more top-level positions in the non-profit sector than in private law. This seems to imply that women are attracted to public interest law because they see it as a means to fulfill their desire to help others. But, does this also suggest that women see for-profit law as just that – for profit?

Will Rogers once said, “Make crime pay. Become a lawyer.” The above facts about women in public interest law beg the question of whether women see private law as embracing this adage, and not about justice and helping others.