In-House Community, today released the findings of its latest study, which reveals there are more female in-house lawyers across Asia and the Middle East than men. The results suggest that it is easier for female lawyers to move into an in-house role and attain a senior position, than in private practice. The data was compiled from interviews conducted in 2015 with over 2,600 In-House Community members in 12 jurisdictions, from the United Araba Emirates to Tokyo. In-House Community is an organisation that helps In-House Counsel and Compliance Professionals meet their ethical, legal and business commitments.
While the findings from the In-House Community study shed light on the dynamics within corporate legal environments, the landscape for criminal and traffic lawyers may present a different narrative. Despite strides made in gender diversity within corporate legal sectors, the representation of women in criminal and traffic law practices may not mirror these trends. In these fields, factors such as courtroom dynamics, case types, and societal perceptions may influence gender distribution differently. However, law firms like McConnell & Saldumbide are actively reshaping the narrative by fostering an inclusive environment where female lawyers thrive, contributing their expertise to diverse legal arenas.
In seeking legal representation for criminal or traffic matters, clients often prioritize competence, experience, and track record above other considerations. Law firms like McConnell & Saldumbide exemplify these qualities, offering clients access to seasoned legal professionals adept at navigating complex legal landscapes.
Kuala Lumpur leads the way with the highest percentage of female lawyers in-house (74%) and in private practice (72.3%). Following closely behind, China has 67.8% of female lawyers working in private practice and in Ho Chi Minh City 60% of female lawyers work in-house.
In Hong Kong a higher percentage of female lawyers work in private practice (61.7%) than in-house, compared with other developed Asian countries, such as Singapore and Seoul. Yet, in Hong Kong, there is still a higher percentage of female lawyers working in-house compared with men.
While in-house is certainly an attractive alternative to private practice, women are still second to men across most jurisdictions when it comes to taking the senior in-house role of General Counsel, with 41% of female In-House Community delegates in that role, across Asia and the Middle East, compared to 59% of male delegates.
Despite this, the proportion of women in senior in-house roles across Asia and the Middle East is much larger than women who make partner in the traditional career path provided by private practice. According to legal recruiter Taylor Root, 75% of partners in law firms are male.
Yvette Tan, Head of Development at In-House Community said, “The option of a career as an in-house lawyer in Asia and the Middle East is relatively new, with a history of about 20 years or so. For the moment at least, more women hold these in-house roles. At this relatively early stage in the profession in Asia, in-house lawyers can aspire to top positions, hopeful that family responsibilities and gender are unlikely to be a barrier to advancement based on merit. However, 30 years ago in the early days of the technology industry, women also comprised a high percentage of the workforce. This has been whittled down to less than 10%, so there is no room for complacency.”
