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December 2009 Vol. 15, No. 2
ILLINOIS STATE BAR ASSOCIATION
The Catalyst
The newsletter of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Women and the Law
Chambers and partners: Importance of third-party recognition
By E. Lynn Grayson1
W
ithin the last decade, third-party upon our evaluation of 2008 Chambers’ data Through our communications with
recognition has emerged as a criti- related to women lawyers, we believe the an- Chambers, we gained the following insights
cal element impacting a lawyer’s swer likely is no. For example, of the top Am regarding the research process:
perceived success including his or her pro- Law 25 law firms, the overall average of part-
• Role of Law Firms. Law firms play an im-
fessional reputation, career advancement ners listed in Chambers is 26 percent, with a
portant role in the information developed
and perhaps more important, business de- range from 5 percent to 48 percent depend-
and submitted to Chambers. Moreover,
velopment opportunities. While third-party ing upon the firm. Of those numbers, the
law firms manage these submissions in
recognition comes in many forms, the collec- overall average percentage of partners listed
various ways with some practices more
tive result of such accolades is confirmation in Chambers who are female is 14 percent.
helpful in advancing women and other
of a lawyer’s legal talent as well as an overall As to the litigation categories, the average
diverse attorneys than others.
enhanced professional standing within his of women lawyers listed is 1 percent with a
or her area of expertise. Whether recogni- number of firms having no women partners • Practice Group Focus. Chambers’ re-
tion arises from The Best Lawyers in Ameri- so recognized. The recently released 2009 search appears directed to practice
ca, Legal 500, Super Lawyers, Law Dragon, data is similar. groups versus individual attorneys. This
Chambers and Partners or another source, Challenges faced by accomplished wom- provides an opportunity for law firms to
the message communicated through this en lawyers in obtaining such recognition, make sure Chambers’ submissions high-
achievement to the legal community, clients coupled with the above statistics, prompted light the work led by diverse attorneys.
and the public at large is clear—this lawyer a coalition of women’s bar associations to • Client Feedback. If you recommend a
is a well regarded, highly qualified attorney come together to assess how best we might client as a possible reference, you need
with a proven track record of success. promote more women lawyers listed in to communicate with clients and advise
While opinions differ as to the deference the legal guide, Chambers USA. This initia- them of the critical importance of com-
to be accorded recognition from varying tive was led by the: National Conference of municating with Chambers (including
sources, one of the most highly sought after Women’s Bar Associations; ABA Commission the return of phone calls to Chambers’ re-
and prized third-party endorsements is rec- on Women; National Association of Women search assistants) and providing positive
ognition by Chambers and Partners. The le- Lawyers; Women’s Bar Association of the Dis- client feedback.
gal guide, Chambers USA, is published yearly trict of Columbia; Chicago Bar Association
by Chambers and Partners and is considered Alliance for Women; and, the Chicago Coali- • Individual Applications. We need to
a premier guide to the legal profession. Each tion of Women’s Initiatives in Law Firms. This continue to emphasize the importance of
year Chambers conducts in-depth research working group communicated with Cham- women attorneys completing individual
and interviews with clients and attorneys bers’ leadership to: identify our concerns applications and taking the initiative to
throughout the United States to identify top over the relatively small number of women ensure the same are incorporated into a
lawyers in various practice areas. Inclusion in lawyers so recognized; better understand law firm’s submission.
Chambers’ guide is based on the results of the research process and the overall proto- • Diversity Considerations. Chambers
this research process and findings and can- col followed for identification of a lawyer in confirms that its research of attorneys
not be initiated or purchased by a firm or Chambers USA; and, establish a dialogue is gender and color blind and that indi-
lawyer. with Chambers for continuing communica- vidual attorney recognition results from a
A critical examination of the statistical tion on this important initiative. Chambers’ combination of client recommendations,
data related to Chambers’ recognition raises leadership has been open and responsive in peer comments and feedback, overall so-
the question—are all of the best lawyers re- addressing issues identified by this working phistication of the practice area coupled
ceiving the recognition they deserve? Based group. with the summary materials submitted
The Catalyst | December 2009, Vol. 15, No. 2
by law firms. It is essential that law firm and Partners’ Recommendations and Best the number of successful women attorneys
submissions reflect the achievements of Practices for Chambers USA 2010 Applica- receiving the recognition they deserve in
all attorneys. tion—information provided by Chambers’ Chambers USA 2010. We will continue to
leadership; and, 2) Additional Guidance and monitor the progress of women lawyers rec-
The working group developed a two
Insights for Women Attorneys Applying for ognized by Chambers and we hope these
prong approach moving forward: raise
Chambers USA 2010—insights gained from joint efforts will result in a more positive out-
awareness among women attorneys of
2009 communications with Chambers. These come. ■
the importance of submitting materials to
documents are available on the Web sites of __________
Chambers and working with their law firms
many women’s bar associations or may be 1. E. Lynn Grayson is a Partner at Jenner & Block
to do so; and, continue to monitor the prog-
obtained upon request by contacting Lynn in Chicago. She is the past Chair of the ISBA Wom-
ress of women recognized by Chambers. en and the Law Committee and is participating in
Grayson at lgrayson@jenner.com.
Among other efforts, the working group the working group discussed above. She may be
The collective objective of this working reached at lgrayson@jenner.com.
prepared and distributed to its memberships
group is to see material improvement in
two new guidance documents: 1) Chambers
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ILLINOIS STATE BAR ASSOCIATION’S
THE CATALYST NEWSLETTER,
VOL. 15 #2, DECEMBER 2009.
COPYRIGHT BY THE ILLINOIS STATE BAR ASSOCIATION.
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