WOMEN'S INITIATIVE

Schnader has a long history of women in prominent positions in the firm.   Two of Its leading women, Firm Managing Partner, Diana S. Donaldson, and New York Managing Partner and Executive Committee member, M. Christine Carty, began to look at effective methods to help its women understand and navigate their way to leadership roles.  The firm began its women’s initiative by reaching out to the women partners at all levels to discuss what women lawyers at all levels in the Firm needed to advance their career performance and leadership ability so that they could grow in the profession and at the Firm.  Many suggestions came from this exchange:  professional-development help, advice on work/life issues, support for progression of women to partnership and in the early years after partnership, mentoring for business development, client networking events, alumni panels and in-house counsel forums.  As a result, the firm began a women’s initiative of mentoring and networking programs.  Its women partners and associates meet in facilitated discussion groups, enjoy speakers on various topics of interest, plan client networking events and enjoy social gatherings.  This gives the attorneys an opportunity to share challenges and successes and to learn from each other’s experiences.