SURVEY: call for benefits, such as formal career breaks and improved childcare assistance

Women solicitors are beginning to enjoy a more level playing field, a survey out this week suggested - but there is still a long way to go.

The survey by legal search firm Macildowie Bates of 121 senior female solicitors in firms ranging from the magic circle to the high street, found that 68% said they have the same career opportunities as their male counterparts.

Almost two-thirds considered that their overall reward package was likely to be the same as that enjoyed by a male colleague performing the same duties.

However, the survey found that respondents said they have had to work harder to achieve their current position, with 70% identifying family commitments as an obstacle to climbing the career ladder.

There was support for specific benefits to recognise problems or challenges unique to women: 42% advocated a wider introduction of formal career breaks to allow for pregnancy and the raising of young children; 44% called for flexible hours; and 34% wanted improved assistance from firms regarding childcare, in the form of either in-house or sponsored nurseries.

However, slightly more than a third were sceptical about whether these measures would have any real effect on career opportunities.

One respondent said: 'This is a very well rewarded and consequently a very competitive profession.

If you are not prepared to make sacrifices, you can't expect to reap the benefits.'

Tim Bates, managing director of Macildowie Bates, said that while the results showed there was some way to go, they countered other negative reports about glass ceilings for women solicitors.

'It is edging in the right direction,' he said.

Vanessa Williams, a partner at Bevan Ashford and vice-chairwoman of the Association of Women Solicitors, said: 'The feedback from our younger members would suggest that they generally agree with the view that on the whole there is a fairly level playing field for women.

However, the evidence that we receive shows that problems tend to arise as women progress through their careers towards partnership, and in particular when they become mothers.'

Neil Rose