Ms. JD Weekly Roundup: Week Ending June 7, 2013

This week, the ABA released an article about women's initiatives in the legal profession. While 97% of law firms have women-specific development programs, women only account for 15% of equity partners and 4% of managing partners. Should we question the impact of women's initatives? Tell us what you think!

ABA President Laurel Bellows recently contributed to the discussion on gender pay equity in the legal profession. Several articles have focused on the impact of differential pay on women's career prospects and earning potential. Bellows takes a new stance and describes the harm that pay inequity can have on the legal profession as a whole.

Are you polishing your resume for the upcoming Fall interview season? Be careful! Resume updates can very quickly turn into embellishment. The Careerist recently highlighted the most popular lies on resumes. Employers (and applicants) beware!

The New York Times is offering this mantra to current job-seekers: "The world doesn't care anymore about what you know; all it cares about is what you can do with what you know." A recent op-ed highlights the changing job market and how to stand out in the evolving landscape. And if you really want to increase your employment opportunities, take a look at these four tips for better networking!

Next Thursday, several law schools, law firms, and businesses in the Bay Area will compete in a battle of the bands event to raise money for the Family Violence Appellate Project. Don't forget to donate and support Ms. JD's President, Katie Larkin-Wong, as she emcees the event!

Ms. JD Weekly Roundup: Week Ending May 31, 2013

The Supreme Court will soon announce its ruling on affirmative action in public education, but diversity is in a precarious position in the private sector as well.  The 2008 recession has prompted many law firms to divert attention away from diversity, which is stalling progress for women and minorities in the profession.  The New York Times reviewed this disturbing trend through the lens of a 126-year-old Texas law firm.  

Do you have trouble asking for help?  The Glass Hammer is offering some urgent advice -- get over it!  Asking for help is a key to career success.  Read more about the three most common reasons we hate asking for help, and how to move beyond them!

A recent complaint against a large law firm highlights gender pay equity issues among partners.  The anecdotal evidence supports years of data suggesting that law firms suffer from pay inequity in the partnership ranks.  

What is the driving force behind every successful business?  An impressive work force?  Money?  A Forbes article provides a new answer: empathy.  

Don't forget to register for National Girlfriends Networking Day!  Celebrate the power of building connections, and learn from diverse female leaders across the country!

Ms. JD Weekly Roundup: Week Ending May 24, 2013

On June 13, 2013, seven bands of lawyers will compete on one stage for the Family Violece Appellate Project's (FVAP) event, Banding Together to End Domestic Violence.  The event will take place in San Francisco, CA, and it will include bands from Google Legal, Bingham McCutchen, Quinn Emanuel, Jones Day, Kirkland & Ellis, O'Melveny & Myers, and Morrison & Foerster.  As a bonus, Ms. JD President Katie Larkin-Wong will be emceeing!  Tickets are still available, so register today if you want to participate in a great cause this summer!

Forbes released its 2013 List of the World's Most Powerful Women!  The list highlights female change-agents in diverse professional roles, including politicians, CEOs, entreprenuers, musicians, designers, and movie stars.  Prepare to be inspired!

We all know the importance of having mentors in the legal profession, but is the gender of your mentors also significant?  The Glass Hammer is encouraging women to branch out and seek male mentors.  Read the article and tell us what you think: do women need male sponsors and mentors to succeed?

Latham & Watkins is currently accepting applications for its Diversity Scholars Program, which awards six second-year law students a $10,000 scholarship.  The application deadline is September 3, 2013, and you can find additional details about the program here!

Ms. JD Weekly Roundup: Week Ending May 17, 2013

Do you play golf? This is the networking question that J. Kelly Hoey, a founder of Lean In.org, is asking professional women. Read more about her interesting perspective as a female member of the male-dominated bankruptcy and insolvency bar, and join one of the emerging Lean In communities today!

This was a big week for women's health! Angelina Jolie wrote an op-ed in the New York Times about her decision to have a double mastectomy, and New York City mayoral candidate Christine Quinn revealed her history with alcoholism and bulimia. The Forbes staff is providing a list of three important leadership lessons that can be learned from the tremendous bravery that we saw from women this week.

Are women apologizing for earning more than their husbands? Forbes' Peggy Drexler is taking a look at the "Breadwinner Complex" and the extent to which social expectations can create discord between professional couples.

The New Yorker is focusing on a new number: 5%. Read Michael Guerriero's article about how motherhood carries a 5% wage penalty for each child, and learn more about overcoming the motherhood wage gap! 

How can we build diversity in the workplace? While some companies are focused on statistical tracking, a recent article in The Glass Hammer suggests that employers should focus on storytelling. Learn more about how to use personal narratives to enhance diversity in the workplace and improve gender parity!

Summer is the perfect season for branching out and meeting new people. Take it to the next level by participating in National Girlfriends Networking Day on June 4, 2013! Click here to learn more and register for an event near you!

The ABA Section of Litigation is now accepting applications for the Leadership Fellows Program and the Young Lawyers Leadership Program. Be sure to act fast! The deadline for both applications is May 31, 2013!

Ms. JD Weekly Roundup: Week Ending May 10, 2013

Here's an incredible video about Christine Beshar, the first female partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Take a look at her inspiring journey as a female trailblazer on Wall Street!

As professional women, we all want to be taken seriously. But it's also important to remember that humor can contribute to success in the workplace. The Forbes staff has provided a list of 10 Reasons Why Humor is Key to Success at Work. Read these tips and take your leadership skills to the next level!

We're all looking for ways to increase our professional opportunities, but is more education the answer? Think carefully before you increase your debt load! Harrison Barnes argues that advanced degrees do not necessarily translate into greater marketability. His latest article discusses whether an L.L.M. degree can meaningfully increase your chances of obtaining a better position. Read his article before you enroll!

Are women in tech more stressed out? A recent survey suggests that women in math, science, and engineering are experiencing more stress and less satisfaction with work-life balance than their male counterparts.

The debate about Sheryl Sandberg's thesis in Lean In is heating up! Should we focus on bringing men into the movement? Or should we focus on the underlying issues that hold women back? Read these new perspectives and tell us what you think!

The ABA Commission on Women in the Profession will be hosting the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers Achievement Awards. The awards were established to recognize and celebrate women lawyers who have excelled in their field and paved the way to success for other women lawyers. This year, the ceremony will take place on August 11, 2013 in San Francisco, CA. Click here to find out more about the honorees, sponsorship and tribute opportunities, and ticket orders!

Ms. JD Weekly Roundup: Week Ending May 3, 2013

Warren Buffet is bullish on women! Check out his new essay on why. Then, see him in person talking about these issues through our partnership org, the Levo League. Ms. JD Sponsor, Latham & Watkins, is going to be a part of this incredible event by hosting the San Francisco viewing party. Join us in SF or host your own viewing party in another city!

In 2010, Ms. JD published the first study of women's participation on law reviews. (See the original study and subsequent ones here.) Thus, we were excited by this article from the University of Michigan Law School about the prevalence of women in leadership positions on their law journals!

Jacki Zehner was the first female trader to be named partner at Goldman Sachs. Now she has developed a creative passion that will help women of all ages! Check out her efforts to bring Wonder Woman to the big screen and increase images of powerful women in mass media!

How can you increase professional satisfaction? Laura Pepper Wu suggests that daily writing is the key to professional happiness, particuarly for professional women. Read her article about how consistent writing can help build self-esteem, enhance productivity, and contribute to your overall well-being!

Above the Law has released its own Top 50 Law School Rankings. Take a look here!

Ms. JD Weekly Roundup: Week Ending April 26, 2013

Next month, Ms. JD will be kicking off its Wonder Woman Series to share the remarkable journies of women lawyers in public service, academia, business, politics, and the judiciary. In May, Ms. JD will be interviewing Kamala Harris, the current Attorney General of California. Don't miss your chance to get advice from an outstanding female attorney! Please submit your questions to sri.kuehnlenz@gmail.com by Tuesday, April 30, 2013!

Amanda Filipacchi's recent op-ed in the New York Times is drawing attention to Wikipedia's sexism toward female novelists. Read her piece and take a stand!

This piece about the sexist remarks made by New Mexico party leaders about a young woman who spoke up at a county commission meeting is another one that might make you want to take a stand!  Their supposed "joking" remarks have us screaming mad.  They also remind us that women need to take the House/Senate/Commission/Council floor!

Is caution killing your career? Forbes' Margie Warrell is providing a list of 5 career risks you can't afford not to take!

A new blog called "Boys Clubs" is highlighting all of the areas where women have yet to tread. So which barriers are YOU going to break today? Check out the blog for some new ideas!

The ABA Commission on Women in the Profession has released a new report regarding how women of color fare in Fortune 500 legal departments. Download the Executive Summary of "Visible Invisibility: Women of Color in Fortune 500 Legal Departments," and learn about the unique issues that women of color are facing in corporate legal departments.

Former Writer in Residence and current Writers in Residence Director, Sunny Choi, is expanding her financial advice over at ATL. Check out her latest columns about how to spend your tax refund and how to make more money to pay down your loans.

The National Association of Women Lawyers Selma Moidel Smith Law Student Writing Competition: Entry deadline is May 1st. There's a $500 award for the winning paper on an issue concerning women’s rights or the status of women in the law.

Just for fun: We've been playing with Anchr.co, a new tool that works like your own personal social focus group! (Warning: This is an excellent finals distraction ...) So we thought we'd see what you think: Who's your favorite female Supreme Court Justice? Vote here.

Ms. JD Weekly Roundup: Week Ending April 19, 2013

Carla LaRoche is a former Ms. JD fellow and has published this piece about hacktivists targeting our banking institutions on the Paul Hastings blog!  #womenhelpingwomen

When you imagine the next generation of CEOs, what do you see? The Glass Hammer explains why tomorrow's CEO will be a feminist.

Yale Law Women has released its 2013 list of the Top Ten Family Friendly Firms. Take a look at which firms took the lead with family friendly practices and policies!

On April 25, Ms. JD is co-hosting a Levo League office hours with Carla Christofferson, Managing Partner of O'Melveny & Meyers LLP and co-owner of the Los Angeles Sparks. Be sure to tune in and get all of your questions answered!

Dove released a new ad to help change the way women view themselves. So is the video empowering or offputting? Take a look and tell us what you think!

Have you been feeling a little stressed lately? That might be a good thing! Alice Walton at Forbes explains why a little stress might be good for the brain!

Ms. JD Weekly Roundup: Week Ending April 12, 2013

April 9th was Equal Pay Day, and whether you were wearing red, participating in the ABA's Virtual March, or simply reading about the issue, we hope you participated in the many events that were designed to raise awareness about the gender wage gap.

So what comes next? The Nation is providing a list of seven easy ways to close the gender wage gap today.

A new study from the Simmons School of Management reveals that society is not yet comfortable with the idea of female breadwinners. It looks like, with respect to wages and perception, progress is a slow process for the modern working woman.

A recent letter in the Daily Princetonian is causing a major stir for advising Ivy League women to focus their efforts on finding a husband. A recent New York Times op-ed analyzes this advice from a gender-based and class-based perspective.

It's only April, but the Fall hiring frenzy will be here before you know it! Do you want to hire the next impressive extrovert you can find? Think again! A recent study reveals that extroverts often end up contributing less to team success than their introverted counterparts.

The ABA Young Lawyers Division is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. But hurry up! Applications are due April 15, 2013!

Ms. JD Weekly Roundup: Week Ending April 5, 2013

We're thrilled to share our partner, Levo League's, event with Sheryl Sandberg.  Can you say #LeanIn?  We know not everyone agrees with Sandberg's message, so if you're reading or planning to read Lean In, join the Ms. JD Board of Directors and tell us what you think.

Bryan Garner is offering up some harsh words on lawyers and our writing skills.

Next Tuesday is Equal Pay Day.  We're participating in all sorts of events, and you can too!  Join us in Levo League's #AskForMore campaign as we moderate the Gender Equity Task Force Equal Pay Day Twitter Chat, and contribute to NWLC's blog carnival.  Also, break out your red dresses, shoes, and jackets to show how women have been "in the red" as compared to their male peers. 

Speaking of equal pay, how much does the gender wage gap affect you? A new app is available to help women determine their personal pay gap and achieve their true target salary. 

ICMYI: Apparently being an associate is the unhappiest job in America.  We admit that there are improvements to be made but every once in awhile, we need to talk about why people stay.   

More bad news: More than 50% of the graduating class of 2011 aren't making a living.