Stoel Rives partner Nicole Hancock spoke recently to The Idaho Statesman about the continuing lack of gender diversity among leadership ranks in Idaho’s legal system. Idaho is last in the nation for the percentage of women serving as state judges, with 11.3 percent; the nationwide percentage is about 30 percent. Among Idaho law firm leadership positions, the demographics also skew predominantly male, even as women currently make up more than 40 percent of Idaho law students.
Hancock, who serves as President of Idaho Women Lawyers, an organization committed to promoting leadership opportunities for women lawyers, said that the relative scarcity of female promotions was likely a result of “unconscious bias” exacerbated by women’s own attitudes and confidence level. “Awareness is critical,” she said. “It’s important to get across the idea that this is a safe environment in which to aspire to be a leader. When you build a culture, it sets the stage.”
Read the full article on the Idaho Statesman website
“Idaho women in the law still lag behind men in pay and positions” was published by The Idaho Statesman, September 4, 2013.