Written by: Donna Campbell

Despite diversity growth stalling in some areas within the summer associate classes, new data from The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) shows continued overall advancement in the representation of women, people of color and LGBTQ individuals within U.S. law firms — especially women, whom now constitute a little over 50% of associates for the first time in more than 30 years.

Women also experienced record growth in representation at the partnership level, but progress continues to lag substantially behind that of associates, with women comprising a record 27.76% of all partners, according to NALP’s annual Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms based on information from the 2023 NALP Directory of Legal Employers (NDLE).

People of color also advanced at the partnership level, but likewise still lag behind their representation among associates, with partners of color comprising 12.01% of all partners and 30.15% of associates.

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