The gender pay gap at international firm White & Case has shrunk slightly, according to its annual report, placing it in line with Linklaters.  

In the latest in a series of pay reports, White & Case revealed that its combined gender pay gap for partners and employees has shrunk from 64.8% in 2018 to 62.2%. Its employee gender pay gap has also fallen, from 21.2% to 18.7%. Meanwhile, male equity partners receive on average 33.2% more than female partners, down from 34.9% last year.

Women still make up almost three quarters of the lowest paid employees, however, while 55% of those in the highest pay quartile are men. The report acknowledges this, stating: ‘Our gender pay gap continues to be driven by the distribution of men and women across different roles, which has a direct impact on pay and bonus.

‘However, we continue to see a positive year-on-year change in gender distribution in the lower middle and upper middle quartiles across our population, which supports our focus on increasing the representation of women in senior roles.’

To support diversity, White & Case says it uses mandated gender balanced shortlists when recruiting for all roles, including lateral partners, and coaches women at key stages of their careers. It has also introduced sponsors for women lawyers on track for partnership.

Yesterday, Linklaters reported that its gender pay gap has crept up, with female employees and partners earning an average of 62.6% less than men at the firm (up from 61.1%). Meanwhile, the combined gender pay gap at Allen & Overy stands at 61.5%.