Once a rarity in law schools, women are now reshaping the legal profession in profound ways. Back in 1970, they made up a mere 9% of law students. Fast forward to today, and women comprise 56% of students in American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law schools, with 65,000 pursuing juris doctor degrees compared to 50,000 men in 2023.
This dramatic shift has inspired the ABA to declare 2016–2026 as the “Decade of the Female Lawyer,” spotlighting the significant strides women have made in the field. Released this week, the latest ABA Profile of the Legal Profession reveals a steady rise in women’s representation across the legal spectrum—from law schools to law firms and government roles.
While men still make up 59% of lawyers nationwide, the gender gap is narrowing. Over the past decade, the percentage of women attorneys has risen from 36% to 41%. If current trends persist, parity in the legal profession could be achieved within two decades.
This generational shift is evident as older, predominantly male lawyers retire and younger, predominantly female lawyers enter the field. Yet challenges remain. In law firms, men continue to dominate partnership ranks, with women holding just 28% of those positions—though this marks an all-time high. Encouragingly, 2023 also marked the first year women outnumbered men at the associate level.
The transformation extends beyond private practice. Women now make up nearly 52% of federal government attorneys, up from 43% in 2005. Certain departments, such as Education and Health and Human Services, report legal teams that are over 60% female, while others, like the Department of Justice, remain majority male at 54%.
Women are also poised to lead in academia, currently representing 49% of full-time faculty at ABA-accredited law schools. Within a few years, they are expected to become the majority among legal educators.
The numbers paint a compelling picture: the legal profession, once a bastion of male dominance, is steadily being redefined by women’s growing presence and influence. While progress continues, the journey to full equity is still underway.
