Why Are Some People Calling Big Law Sexist?

Kerrie Campbell, a partner at Chadbourne & Parke Litigation, has filed a $100 million law suit against her firm on the grounds that she and other women have faced gender discrimination. The suit claims that female partners have been continually blocked from positions with important decision making responsibilities, and that female employees and partners are paid less than their male counterparts.  The case alleges that Campbell herself is underpaid $2.7 million, based on the earnings of similarly qualified male partners at her firm.

This case marks the third high-profile gender discrimination action at a major law firm in recent memory. It appears there is a growing trend of high-powered female lawyers going to court against gender discrimination in the profession. These women are risking their high places in the legal world to try to dismantle what they see as institutional discrimination at the top level of the industry.

How to Recognize Gender Discrimination

Many can recognize when an employee is harassed or bullied in the workplace, but what about less obvious forms of discrimination? Here are some the most common forms of gender discrimination.

• Different pay for equal work
• Different benefits for equally qualified employees
• Differences in employment or promotion opportunities based on gender
• Hiring or promotion decisions based on pregnancy or familial status

Big Law is only one of the many places where women are fighting for equal treatment in the workplace. Despite plenty of progress, there is still a long way to go towards gender equality. The law has measures in place to help empower victims of workplace injustice. If you suspect that you have been a victim of gender discrimination, you should seek the counsel of an attorney.

Dan A. Atkerson is a Dallas employment attorney who fights to empower victims of gender discrimination and other forms of workplace injustice.