How Law Firms Are Supporting Women Lawyers in The Pandemic

By: Vivian Hood

Lori Wisniewski Azzara, chair of the firm’s Women’s Initiative, spoke with The National Law Review about Cohen Seglias’ efforts to support our women attorneys throughout the pandemic. Lori discussed a number of topics, including the firm’s implementation of a formal remote work policy, noting that the policy’s “added flexibility is beneficial for our female attorneys, particularly those with younger children or those in caregiver roles, because it allows for balancing home and work demands on a more-convenient schedule.”

This year’s celebration of Women’s History Month is especially appropriate because it comes during the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdown. Working women have felt a tremendous amount of pressure in juggling demanding careers with the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, especially closed childcare facilities and schools and eldercare.

The American Bar Association conducted a survey to understand the impact of the pandemic on the legal profession, particularly on women and diverse lawyers. It uncovered concerning data that all law firm leaders must consider going forward: Just as client demand for diversity is hitting an all-time high, the pandemic may force women to leave the workforce.

“The findings may forecast an exodus from the profession at a time when clients are demanding diverse talent,” noted Roberta Liebenberg of the Red Bee Group, which designed and managed the survey. The AVA presented findings of the survey, conducted in fall 2020, on February 17 at its virtual 2021 midyear meeting.