Darling Hill

As in the US, Canada is trying to figure out how to retain women attorneys. According to a Canadian report, "women are more likely than men to leave their firms." When women leave practice the cost is high. The report points out that the "cost of turnover for a four-year associate is $315,000. Law Society data shows that, during the past 10 years, women have been leaving private practice at rates two to three times higher than men."

Why the exodus? It's apparently simple. "Law careers conflict with family life."

To solve the retention problem, the report calls for a five-year pilot project to promote and support contract lawyers. The idea is that contract lawyers could help women and men who face challenges finding lawyers to maintain their practice during leaves or when scheduling flexibility is needed.

Check out the Law Society of Upper Canada to find out more about what the Canadian legal profession is doing to stem attorney departures.

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