Law firms go all out to plug leaky pipeline for women

SHATTERING THE GLASS ceiling in the legal profession is rapidly becoming the new normal for women lawyers, with big law firms pulling all the stops to plug the so-called leaky pipeline.

- JYOTSNA BHATNAGAR

A latest analysis done by Vahura, a leading legal recruitment and consultancy firm, shows 33 women lawyers were promoted to partnership roles out of a total of 119 promotions in 2024-25 in the top five law firms. Says Ankita Malik, consultant with Vahura, "This represents a 27.7% female promotion rate. Notable examples include top-tier Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (SAM), which promoted 14 women out of 22 new partners and counsels, representing 63% of the cohort."

Trilegal, another top-rated firm, has promoted seven women out of 11 new partners to equity partnerships while JSA has elevated five women lawyers to retained partnerships. Women make up 20% of reputed law firm Khaitan & Co's (KCo) partnership—a 44% year-on-year increase—and 39% of senior management, an 83% growth. "This significant proportion of women promotions underscores the commitment of these firms to fostering diversity within their leadership ranks," Malik observes.

Pallavi S Shroff, managing partner at SAM, says "the firm has taken significant steps over the years to ensure a level-playing field for women lawyers." Carrying the baton forward, her elder daughter Shweta Shroff Chopra, a Partner in the firm, is a fierce advocate for women's rights. "At SAM, plugging the leaky pipeline also means building an ecosystem where they can grow, lead, and stay. We've worked hard to foster a culture where women lawyers are seen, supported, and stepped up to take up leadership," she asserts.