Proskauer has long championed the professional development and career advancement of women. We named our first woman partner in 1965, years before doing so became the norm.

Key initiatives

Our key women's initiatives include:

• Proskauer Women's Alliance. PWA is our flagship initiative for women. Led by a steering committee of senior counsel and associates advised by partners, it fosters the career development of women lawyers in a number of ways.
• Women's Sponsorship Program. WSP takes career development beyond traditional mentoring: The firm selects distinguished senior partners as sponsors who not only serve as advisors, but also proactively advocate on behalf of carefully chosen mid- and senior-level women lawyers.
• Mentoring. All associates are assigned mentors — partners, senior counsel or senior associates — throughout their careers at Proskauer. The mentors provide guidance on professional development, working relationships and our culture.
• Associate Shadowing Program. The Shadowing Program offers great opportunities for associates to participate in professional experiences that could serve as valuable training tools, such as attendance at a significant client meeting, negotiation session, court appearance or deposition conducted by a more senior lawyer.
• Encouragement of board membership. We educate women lawyers about board membership, identify opportunities and connect them with women who have board experience and can offer special insight.
• Alumni panel discussions and networking events. Current and former Proskauer women lawyers come together to share their experiences and build potentially career-enhancing relationships.
• Sponsorships and partnerships. We partner with groups such as the National Association of Women Lawyers, the Women’s Bar Association, the Women in Law Empowerment Forum and the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law to support their programs and events.
• Community outreach. Proskauer women play active roles in supporting women-focused programs, groups and organizations that serve their communities, whether local or viewed more broadly.

• Re-entry. We offer career coaching specifically designed for caregivers transitioning back to the firm from maternity leave or parental leave. 

• Flex-time. Our lawyers can develop flexible work schedules to help achieve a better balance between their professional and personal obligations.

• CaRe Program. CaRe, our caregiver return program, aims to ease the transition of lawyers returning from primary caregiver leave allowing them to return to work on a 75% schedule and receive 100% of their pre-leave compensation for the first six months following their return. The Program responds directly to feedback from our lawyers that the transition back into the workplace after an extended leave presents unique challenges. CaRe eases the pressure on these caregivers, and reaffirms our commitment to supporting the needs of our lawyers at key stages of their personal lives.

"Knowing that Proskauer is cognizant of the challenges women face, and provides them with the tools to thrive at the Firm, reinforces that I am working at the right place. I work with many fantastic female lawyers - from all backgrounds and at all levels of experience - and I'm pleased to see their careers grow."

Keisha-Ann Gray, partner, Labor & Employment Department and co-chair Workplace and Investigations Group

"I continue to be impressed by Proskauer's emphasis on supporting the development and advancement of women. Our Programs have a real impact and are strengthened by the individuals who care about paying forward the mentorship they have received."

Fangli Chen, partner, Litigation Department and vice chair of the Life Sciences Patent Practice

Events and professional development

Throughout the year we host networking events and professional development trainings including:

Building Blocks for Success. We host a quarterly series of discussions on professional and business development topics such as effective management, how to develop authentic executive presence and the essentials of client origination. 

Third Thursdays. We hold a monthly series of social events and topical discussions where our women lawyers cultivate relationships, network and share suggestions and advice. Each event is unique – we recently featured a photography exhibit titled “Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York.” which was brought to us by pro bono client New Women New Yorkers, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young women immigrants in New York City.