When it comes to law school, women outnumber men in both enrollment (54%) and graduation (51%) rates with women of color representing 20% of those numbers. Women also account for almost half, or 47% of all law associates, though that percentage drops to just 22% (three percent women of color) when looking at the number of equity partners at law firms.
There is also a big discrepancy in earnings. Median weekly earnings for women lawyers are reported at $1,665USD while men reported earning $2,324 USD.
In this episode, VEST Members Liz George, Founding Partner at the Law Office of Liz George and Danae Grace, Shareholder at McAfee & Taft talk about the challenges women still face in the industry and the differences between working for an established firm and running your own practice.
Available on Spotify, Apple and Google Podcast.
Follow Danae Grace Danae Grace is a transactional lawyer known for her representation of her clients’ interests in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiations, and general corporate matters. Her primary focus is representing private and public companies in mergers and stock and asset acquisitions and sales of all sizes. Danae’s achievements have earned her inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch and Oklahoma Super Lawyers‘ list of “Oklahoma Rising Stars” for multiple years, which recognizes the state’s top up-and-coming attorney. Danae is the Chair of the Oklahoma Business and Corporate Law Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association. Follow Liz George Liz is the founder and managing attorney at Liz George & Associates law firm located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Liz received her Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law, where she received honors from the National Association of Women Lawyers and the Oklahoma Bar Association. In addition, Liz holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal music from Cameron University School of Music in Lawton, Oklahoma. Active in both her local community and legal industry, Liz serves as a Board Member for Blanchard Public Schools. Liz also sits on the Board of Directors for the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Oklahoma City. In addition, she is an active member of the American, Federal, Oklahoma and McClain County Bar Associations. Liz was honored for her service to the community with the Oklahoma County Bar Association Pro Bono Award in June 2016. She was also named a Rising Star by Oklahoma Super Lawyers, 2015 – 2020 and as a Super Lawyer in 2021. In 2018, Liz was listed in Oklahoma Magazine’s 2018 class of 40 Under 40 honorees. Liz also serves as an adjunct professor teaching Skills Courses in Civil Procedure to first year law students at Oklahoma City University School of Law.
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