Stemming the tide

The status of women in the solicitors' profession could not be more mixed.

Encouragingly, women make up significantly more than half of those qualifying.

But, and this is less encouraging, once they qualify, many do not stay long.

The reasons for the exodus have been well rehearsed: family, the home-work balancing act, and a lack of career prospects.

Much of the evidence has been anecdotal - until now, for this week we report on the first major research into why women are leaving the profession.

The researchers have provided firm survey evidence that supports all of those reasons.

And the research debunks the popular assumption that within a relatively short period, women will be moving up the partnership ranks in numbers.

While more than four-fifths of men in the ten to 19-year post-qualification bracket are partners, only slightly more than half of women in the same experience band have reached that level.

A more enlightened approach to flexible working practices and family-friendly policies might keep more women in the profession.

But something else entirely is needed to address the partnership issue - a core change of attitude on the part of male solicitors and a recognition that their female counterparts are capable and deserving of being partners.