Geraldine Dymond wrongly assumes that all women solicitors are concerned about is how to balance childcare with a career (see [2003] Gazette, 31 July, 16).

Many women do not have children or other caring responsibilities, but still face difficulties in the profession because of their sex.

Some 44% of women are deterred by the profession's attitude to women, according to recent research (see [2003] Gazette, 10 July, 4).

At the Association of Women Solicitors we see why.

We advise women who suffer sexual harassment, are paid less than male colleagues of an equivalent level, or have clients passed to male solicitors at clients' insistence.

Third-party pressure is no defence to a discrimination claim but women solicitors regularly face situations where the law is broken.

I recently advised a young solicitor who was asked to accompany two male clients and her male partner to a lap-dancing club.

As an employment lawyer, I would not advise clients to condone this type of behaviour.

Why should I advise a woman solicitor to do so?

For women and men with children, the position is also difficult.

Ms Dymond was lucky that she could leave the office 'in time to...

put [her] babies to bed'.

The profession has changed since the 1960s.

The demands are greater and the hours longer.

Women cannot '[have] the babies and settle for flying a little lower' if the demands of a 21st century profession mean that in some fields just to stand still a solicitor has to work a minimum of 48 hours per week.

Many women have to choose between a career and a family or leave because of discrimination.

The profession is poorer for it.

Fiona Muxlow, chairwoman, Association of Women Solicitors