Overcoming Gender Bias in the Legal Profession, With A Discussion of ABA Model Rule 8.4(g)

Join presenters Andrea S. Kramer, partner in McDermott Will & Emery, and Alton B. Harris, partner in Nixon Peabody LLP, for this important program about overcoming gender bias in the legal profession. They discuss the career achievement disparity between female and male lawyers, and demonstrate how understanding gender stereotypes and the biases that surround them provides lawyers with the information and insights they need to recognize and stop often subtle and unconscious gender biases. Additionally, Harris and Kramer provide advice and techniques that attorneys and legal organizations can use to overcome bias in the legal profession, with an emphasis on the application of the ABA’s Model Rule 8.4(g).

Ms. Kramer and Mr. Harris are practicing attorneys with extensive experience in management, hiring, promotion, compensation, stereotypes, and unconscious bias. They have both served in senior management positions and have in-depth experience with all aspects of personnel management, including recruiting, hiring and firing, individual and team supervision, compensation, promotion, and mentoring. This course is based on their extensive personal experiences and research used in their book, Breaking Through Bias: Communication Techniques for Women to Succeed to Work, Bibliomotion, Brookline, MA, 2016.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Understand the prevalence of gender stereotypes in the legal profession with respect to women, men, families, work, and leadership; and the biases that flow from these stereotypes
   
   
2. Recognize how gender stereotypes and biases operate to hold female attorneys back in their careers
   
   
3. Consider the application of ABA Model Rule 8.4(g)
   
   
4. Develop practical strategies and effective techniques to break through gender bias and improve gender equality in the legal profession