Partner Path Foggy As More Women Join Staff Atty Ranks

Crowell & Moring managing partner Ellen M. Dwyer discusses the rise in alternative career tracks and nontraditional firm roles that are increasingly being filled by female lawyers. Dwyer views these roles, such as, firm professional, counsel, specialist, and staff attorney, as positive for the professional, as well as the individual lawyer looking for job trajectories that don’t necessarily hinge on promotion to equality partnership. "The challenge for law firms is to create interesting, fulfilling opportunities for men and women ... and then invest in talent and work on an individual basis to retain the best lawyers we have," she said.