>> ... Next Generation ...

The Wisdom
Of Women In Law

Opportunities, challenges and dilemmas.

VIVIAN HENOCH I SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

R

achel Loebl is getting
married. Family, friends and
colleagues are thrilled for her,
and, personally, she couldn't
be happier. Professionally? She has a
something of a dilemma. As a young
attorney just building her practice, she is
registered in the State Bar of Michigan
Directory under her maiden name.
Rachel asks, "Do I lose the equity
I've built in my practice if (and when)
I change the name on my legal license
to the name on my marriage license?
Under the State Bar of Michigan
Directory, I can only have one name. If I
change my name, and someone searches
for me by my maiden name, I essentially
don't exist."
For better or worse, Rachel's dilemma
with her professional name points to
just one of the challenges women in law Rachel Loebl and Alexis Schostak
tend to face — particularly in the early
years of their practice.
Is it possible to be a partner and rainmaker as well
nearly one in 10 departs the firm within one year
as a wife, mother and homemaker?
of being hired and nearly half depart within three
Is it possible to run faster, work harder than
years. Nationwide, women attorneys comprise only
colleagues and stay on top of your game ... without
about 17 percent of the partners of their firms, even
playing golf?
though they account for more than 70 percent of the
Women in law know it's a dance — a constant
attorneys working in private practice. According to
effort to find the balance between power and grace
the U.S. Census, one-third of U.S. lawyers and judges
in a competitive, often relentless work environment.
are now women — compared to roughly 4.8 percent
The numbers tell the story: Women start out on
in 1970 data — but they remain relatively rare
equal footing with their male peers in law school,
among the top ranks of the profession. These figures
comprising about one-half of the graduating classes
suggest that, relative to total headcounts, women
of the American Bar Association-accredited law
attorneys are under-represented in their profession.
schools. But their numbers fall quickly through
As far as women have come in the legal
attrition (marriage and babies) within their first years
profession, most can share that they are under
of practice.
constant pressure to outperform their male
Data reveals that among entry-level associates,
counterparts on all levels ... or to find their own

1 creative solutions and opportunities to
excel.

A Case In Point

A social entrepreneur in spirit, an
accomplished networker and an attorney
in solo practice, Rachel (who will stay
Loebl in name only for the sake of
her career) approached Jewish Family
Service (JFS) about two years ago with
a desire to provide assistance pro bono
to clients through the agency's Legal
Referral Service (LRS).
Rachel's request to partner with a
seasoned attorney willing to mentor
her in family law immediately became
the catalyst for expanding the LRS
program — matching mentors with
mentees through the agency's existing
network of more than 150 attorneys
serving as volunteers to provide direct
representation to clients primarily in
the areas of bankruptcy, divorce and
family law. Today, the legal support system JFS
provides to families is second to none in the country
and is generously funded by the Jewish Women's
Foundation.
As Rachel started assessing the community's needs,
she soon began collaborating with other young,
energetic and like-minded attorneys to co-found and
become president of the Jewish Bar Association of
Michigan (JBAM). Since its launch in 2014, JBAM has
grown to a roster of 200 members. Partnering with
JFS, as well as JVS and Federation's NEXTGen HUB,
and others in the community, JBAM has become a
go-to forum for discussion and events. ❑

Vivian Henoch is editor of myhewishdetroit.org, where
this story first appeared.

UPCOMING EVENT

WOMEN IN LAW: STARTING THE CONVERSATION

In their first collaboration, JFS, JBAM and the NEXTGen Hub of
the Jewish Federation will host "Women in Law: Starting the
Conversation" in the offices of Dykema Gossett PLLC in Bloomfield Hills
on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
The event begins with a 5:30 p.m. reception and 6-7:30 p.m.
networking and panel discussion. All interested professionals are
welcome to attend. Register at http://jewishdetroit.org/event/
women-in-the-law.
The evening promises to be a lively exchange for seasoned and young
attorneys alike. On the guest panel are four extraordinary women in law
with a wide variety of experiences and success stories to share:

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August 13 • 2015

U.S. District Court Judge Laurie J. Michelson (Eastern District of
Michigan)
47th District Court Judge Marla E. Parker (Farmington/Farmington
Hills)
Laurel Stuart-Fink, family law attorney
Ilana Ben-Ze'ev, partner, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP,
former dean of students at Wayne State University Law School.
The moderator and host will be Alexis Schostak, a Dykema member.
Suggested topics for discussion include current trends and
developments in law and policy that impact women, perspectives on
future opportunities for women in the practice of law and tips for
beginning law careers. ❑

