Survey finds 60% of women in law faced discrimination; many fear speaking out at work
A troubling new survey reveals that six in ten women working in the legal profession have experienced sex discrimination over the past five years, while seven in ten stayed silent out of fear it would harm their careers.
The findings come from the Next 100 Years project, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Act. This legislation was landmark in protecting men and women from discrimination on the grounds of sex or marital status in employment, education, and harassment. Yet, despite this progress, 88% of the 148 women surveyed said sex discrimination remains a widespread problem in law.
The survey also found that eight in ten women knew colleagues who had faced discrimination within the same timeframe. Although half of respondents believed their organisations took allegations seriously, one in five felt their firms failed to address the issue adequately. Notably, a third of women pointed to leadership figures as the source of discriminatory behaviour, suggesting systemic challenges rather than isolated incidents.
Dana Denis-Smith, founder of Next 100 Years and solicitor, voiced serious concern over the survey results. “It is alarming to see so many women exposed to discriminatory behaviour in the legal profession and that this behaviour appears to come from across the organisation, not just from a few individuals,” she said. “While it’s encouraging that many firms are taking the issue seriously, if women still fear speaking out or suspect complicity from senior leadership, true change remains elusive.”
Embed from Getty ImagesDenis-Smith highlighted the urgency for ongoing efforts to address these deep-rooted issues. She expressed hope that initiatives like the Harman Review will play a significant role in tackling the barriers women face in law. The review, which aims to improve workplace equality and inclusion, could help foster environments where discrimination is not tolerated.
The survey also revealed broader anxieties about the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Nearly two-thirds of respondents feared that recent political shifts in the United States, particularly actions by former President Donald Trump to roll back DEI programmes, might lead their own firms to deprioritise these vital efforts.
Denis-Smith warned that the legal profession must redouble its commitment to workplace equality in response. She called for a culture where discrimination is actively challenged and where those affected feel safe and empowered to speak out without risking their careers.
“As we mark half a century since the Sex Discrimination Act, we must recognise that legislation alone is not enough,” she said. “Cultural change is essential if women in law are to thrive and reach their full potential.”
The survey’s findings underscore a persistent and systemic problem within the legal profession, revealing a significant gap between formal equality laws and the lived experiences of women. Without meaningful action, these issues threaten to undermine progress and deter future generations of women from entering or advancing within the legal field.
With Denis-Smith set to become Law Society president in 2027, there is hope that her leadership will prioritise tackling these challenges head-on, promoting a legal sector where fairness and respect are the norm.
