Product Description

This new book focuses the institutional impediments to women's success in the practice of law--the challenges and roadblocks women face as they struggle to succeed in law firms. The book addresses all aspects of law firm life including firm management, the assignment process, billable hour demands, business generation, compensation, mentoring, attrition, and work/family issues. It also sets forth recommendations for change, describing concrete actions which law firms can implement in order to enable women to take their rightful place as equals in the legal profession. The book is the result of two years of research and is based on the authorÂ’s interviews with hundreds of women lawyers and law firm managers from all over the country. The author also draws extensively on a wide range of research across multiple disciplines in order to shed further light on the areas covered. Although the book is about women in law firms, the issues raised could apply to any professional setting.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #343073 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 437 pages

Customer Reviews

Law Firms Take Note: Change Is Long Overdue
A good, hard look at today's law firms, Ending the Gauntlet: Removing the Barriers to Women's Success in the Law tackles tough issues comprehensively and fairly. Lots to recommend about this book, but particularly helpful for those who care about law firm profitability are the practical recommendations Lauren Stiller Rikleen makes in the second part of the book.

My work is with women, however, and I found the discussion of gender stereotypes and how they impact women to be consistent with my research and observations. Rikleen is right -- most of the time, behaviors that hold women back aren't motivated by bad intentions, merely cluelessness. Yet these behaviors hurt women and, consequently, the legal profession. Rikleen offers a blueprint for law firms who want to get better; the smart ones will follow it.

Ending the Gauntlet
Ms. Rikleen's book is an insightful and well reasoned review of issues affecting the legal profession today and how those forces often work against the advancement of women attorneys. Ending the Gauntlet provides a comprehensive review of the issues facing women today, extensive research about these concerns and recommendations for change. The book's approach is a refreshing one noting that while women face day to day challenges to succeed given our culture, the real problem is the one faced by the legal profession overall. Ms. Rikleen rightly appreciates that it is time to redefine what it means to be successful in the legal profession. She offers hope that the legal profession can allow the opportunity for all lawyers to succeed and in achieving that success, there is a place for serving clients, raising healthy children, caring for elderly parents and participating in our communities.

Finally!
I saw an advance copy of this book and was blown away. The interviews are incredibly compelling and candid, the author's voice very unique. I at times found myself nodding along in recognition of issues that I have faced myself and, at other times shocked by the choices some women have been forced to make.

Finally, someone has put forth a book about these important issues, not only in law, but in so many other professions. This is an absolute must-read for everyone involved in practicing law and for all women balancing work and family.