IE Law School and ICAM promote female leadership in the legal field
The event “Strategic Skills for Leadership Roles” brought together experts and professionals at the Ilustre Colegio de la Abogacía de Madrid (ICAM).
On Monday, January 13, the Ilustre Colegio de la Abogacía de Madrid (ICAM) hosted the event Strategic Skills for Leadership Roles, a gathering focused on exploring the challenges and opportunities for women in the legal sector. During the event, IE Law School unveiled its pioneering Advanced Legal Program for Women in Law, designed to empower professionals aspiring to leadership positions.
Reflections on the Legal Profession
The event opened with remarks from Ana Buitrago, an ICAM board member and strategic advisor for business projects. Ana emphasized the dedication and effort required in the legal field, stating: Reflections on the Legal Profession: “Luck is just the initial spark, but true progress comes from daily effort.”
She also highlighted the importance of innovation as a catalyst for change, despite its inherent discomfort and associated risks, and encouraged taking bold steps into uncharted territory. Buitrago underscored the need for ethics to serve as a compass, ensuring consistency and adherence to universal values in the legal profession.
Unlocking Female Potential
Pilar Menor, academic director of the Advanced Legal Program for Women in Law and senior partner at DLA Piper Spain, stressed the importance of ongoing education to cultivate critical skills for today’s market.
Although women currently make up 54% of registered lawyers in Spain, their representation in leadership roles is not advancing at an optimal pace. Menor noted: “Significant progress has been made in women’s access to and presence in the profession. They are well-represented in law schools and achieve excellent academic records. However, the pyramid narrows dramatically when it comes to reaching positions of responsibility.”
According to the International Bar Association (IBA), only 31% of leadership positions in Spain’s legal sector are held by women, and just 22% of partners in law firms are women. Menor identified various contributing factors, such as challenges with work-life balance, unequal family caregiving responsibilities, and cultural biases.
The Advanced Legal Program for Women in Law aims to address this gap by offering training, personalized mentoring, and practical tools to help professionals advance into higher-level roles.
Academic Leadership Driving Change
Soledad Atienza, Dean of IE Law School, concluded the event by reflecting on the role educational institutions like IE University play in reducing gender inequality in the legal sector. Although more women are graduating in law, this trend has not translated proportionately into leadership roles in law firms or legal departments.
Atienza highlighted this persistent imbalance: “Despite observing a predominance of women in legal education for years, this progress has yet to result in balanced professional representation.”
To tackle this, Advanced Legal Program for Women in Law combines technical training and skill development with two standout features:
- Specialized, personalized mentoring, led by IE University experts and external professionals.
- Personal growth plans, tailored to the specific needs and goals of each participant.
A Community of Support and Growth
The ultimate goal of the program is to create a strong network of women jurists who support each other, share knowledge, and drive one another toward new goals to transform leadership in the legal sector.