Paving the Way for the Next Generation of Women

By Kelli Charlton, Director of Business Development at Stapley Pharmacy

McKinsey & Company released a study, Women in Law Firms, after they had conducted a deep dive into gender diversity in law firms across North America. The survey found that, while law firms are taking important steps to increase gender equality by providing senior leadership support to advance female attorneys’ careers and offering flexibility that addresses major work-life-balance issues, their efforts have had limited success in bridging the gender gap. McKinsey also found that gender inequalities were much wider in law firms than in other industries.

Progress is being made, but there is work to do when it comes to leveling the playing field between male and female lawyers. However, there are two Washington County women, Marianne G. Sorensen and Lindsay M. Bayles, who are blazing the trail for future generations of female attorneys in southern Utah.

Marianne G. Sorensen, Attorney at Kirton McConkie

Marianne G. Sorensen earned her law degree from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. She is currently a member of Kirton McConkie’s real estate group, where she practices transactional law with a focus on commercial real estate, including restaurant leasing, acquisitions, and real estate development. She also works with businesses and nonprofit organizations on matters concerning generational transactions. Sorensen was named as one of Utah Business magazine’s “30 Women to Watch” and honored by the Utah Business Women organization as a “Woman of Achievement” for excellence in the professions. Sorensen was drawn to the legal field because of her natural curiosity and love of learning, but most importantly, she believed the legal field would allow her to put her strengths and natural abilities to work.

“I think that women, myself included, can find it a challenge to assert personal presence when working in fields in which men greatly outnumber women,” said Sorensen. “Because men have traditionally dominated the legal field, the traits they more naturally exhibit have come to be associated with leadership qualities, while women may have more nurturing qualities, and we need to work on balancing our ‘softness’ with strength.” Sorensen practiced in Salt Lake City for nine years before moving to St. George, Utah, in 2007. After the cold winters, deep snow, and smoggy skies of the Wasatch Front, she welcomed the chance to relocate to southern Utah. “The appeal of living in a smaller town was a draw for me,” she explained. “Although the transactions I handle involve sites in Texas and California and anywhere in between, there is seldom a need for me to be in a particular location.” Sorensen noted that it was never too early or too late to prepare for a career in the legal field since there would always be a need for good attorneys from all sorts of backgrounds. “Don’t feel that you need to come from a long line of attorneys, attend an Ivy League school, or live in a major city to be successful as an attorney,” she said. “The work is varied and interesting, and as an attorney, you can have a degree of flexibility to pursue goals outside of work, enjoy your family, or serve your community.” Lindsay M. Bayles, JD, ProvenLaw

Early on, Lindsay M. Bayles narrowed down her career options to dentistry or law. “It really came down to relationships and flexibility,” she said. “There are endless career opportunities with a JD—in house counsel at a large business, FBI, public defender, CEO, small town attorney, the list goes on. There is a lot of security in the profession because every person and business needs or could benefit from legal services.” Before attending Washburn University of Law, her first job was at her father’s law firm, taking out the trash. She emptied trash cans, shredded confidential documents, vacuumed, and dusted until she was eventually promoted to chief scanner, where she scanned thousands of files. Once she could drive, her duties expanded. She took deeds to the Washington County recorder’s office and checked their file at the courthouse. Eventually, she worked as an estate planning paralegal and realized her passion. “Estate planning clients are some of the best clients because you get a glimpse into their lives—their families, careers, and accomplishments.” Of being an up-and-coming female attorney in Washington County, Bayles said it’s exciting, humbling, and gratifying. A few months ago, she scoured the Utah Bar directory looking to connect with female attorneys in the area. “I sent messages to every single one I could find on LinkedIn. I’ve had a few great lunch dates with these women and hope to meet them all soon. It shouldn’t take long because only 10 percent of the attorneys in the county are women. I am grateful for the mentorship I’ve received from attorneys of all genders.” Bayles’s advice to women considering the pursuit of a law degree is to talk to as many people in the legal field as possible. Work for a law firm. Prioritize studying for the LSAT, and earn the highest score you can. Apply for scholarships. Balance the quality of law school with the tuition cost. Grab some tissues, and watch On the Basis of Sex. “Also, call me so we can set up a time to meet over lunch. I would be happy to talk to women considering this career path.”

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