A New York Times business article recently suggested that the American job market is a harsh place for mothers – their earnings permanently suffer and they never regain the momentum in their careers they had before they took off for whatever personal reasons (often, to have children).

Now, I realize that the only two posts (including this one) are about how the labor market is unfair to women who choose career paths.  However, that is not the theme of this year’s Women’s Legal Forum and shouldn’t be something that constantly weighs heavily on the minds of women who want to have a fulfilling career, a family and their sanity.  It is something that men and women should consider about the current economic environment and job market.  Everyone offers a unique perspective, whether it be to the law, business or any other arena.  More optimistic posts to come soon, I am sure. 

Congratulations to those who just finished taking the bar exam and the countdown to school starting begins!  Best wishes for everyone traveling back to Topeka for the upcoming year – it is sure to be an exciting one. 

As always, if you have any ideas for the electronic presence of WLF or for the organization itself, please feel free to contact me or any of the other WLF officers. 

Regards,
ReAnne Utemark Wentz,
WLF Vice President

No, this isn’t a repeat from 1970.  According to a recent Newsweek article, many female attorneys are paid less than their male counterparts. 

The statistics the article quotes are interesting:  “50 percent of law school graduates are women, fewer than 20 percent of law partners are female. Those figures ring true across other fields—just 3 percent of Fortune 500 companies are headed by women, and women make up only a quarter of politicians.”

Please check back for more news about women in the law and we will soon have our Facebook page up.  We will also be posting our schedule for the year and updates about our events.   Please feel free to comment, however, any profane or offensive comments will be removed. 

Regards,
ReAnne Utemark Wentz,
WLF Vice President

Welcome to the blog for Women’s Legal Forum of Washburn University!  The purpose of Women’s Legal Forum is to investigate facets of women in society and in the law, and to promote awareness of these issues in the law school, the legal profession, and the community.  We are excited for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year!

• Membership Meeting–September 21st, 12:00 pm, room 102.  Amy Hanley, Assistant Attorney General, will discuss how to properly present yourself in the courtroom and the office. Jennifer Sherber, WAAT young lawyers liason will discuss the advantages of WAAT membership.  Pizza will be served; RSVP by sending an email to rita.sunderland@washburn.edu.