Women account for 39% of lawyers at law firms in Mexico, with just 17% occupying senior roles, the lowest percentage in the country’s public and private sectors, according to the IBA’s 9th global study on gender disparity in the law.

The report was previously referenced at the IBA annual conference and covered exclusively by the Global Legal Post on Monday’s session on ‘The pervasive nature of bullying, sexual harassment and gender inequality in the legal profession – be part of the solution!’.

The study in Mexico found that women comprise 34% of all lawyers in the country and 30% of senior lawyers. The Mexican public sector has the highest proportion of female lawyers at a senior level (33%), followed by the judiciary (30%).

In the judiciary, the report found no drop in the percentage of female lawyers overall or at senior level, standing at 30%. Other key findings of the report included that part-time work in Mexico is uncommon, with the judiciary and public sector reporting no part-time work.

Norma Lucía Piña Hernández, president of the Supreme Court of Mexico, commented in the report’s foreword: “Today, in the Supreme Court and the Federal Judiciary Council, we have moved beyond the reductionist idea that gender equality is achieved through the mere enactment of institutional regulations.

“We have aimed to base ourselves on accurate, evidence-based diagnostics to develop comprehensive programmes and coordinated actions that translate into real and effective measures to improve women’s lives.” 

Despite being the most popular initiative, flexible working was perceived as only the fourth most effective. At the same time, leadership training for women and coaching and mentoring were regarded as the most effective initiatives in reaching gender equality.

Quota setting for senior positions was the least popular initiative by a significant margin.

Focused on Mexico, the report is part of the IBA’s 50:50 by 2030: A Longitudinal Study into gender disparity in Law project examining gender disparity in senior roles across the legal profession.

Arpón de Mendívil, who spoke at the launch, said: “The most striking thing about the study on Mexico is the very low numbers of women who graduate as lawyers, only 34%.”

She added this impacted the number of female lawyers reaching senior positions, ensuring that of those 34% of female lawyers, 30% reached those senior positions, while also commenting on how women can overcome the economic and cultural barriers to university entrance and complete their legal studies.

Arpón de Mendívil concluded: “The benefits of a diverse environment have been proven for decades, and a country with the enormous potential of Mexico should not waste so much female talent in the legal sector. The IBA study invites us to reflect on the obstacles faced by Mexican women in completing these studies.”

She pledged IBA support with representatives of the Mexican legal profession to identify the best formulas to help overcome such barriers. Earlier in the week, Arpón de Mendívil presented the IBA’s inaugural Impact Award to Piña Hernández for the Mexican Supreme Court’s work to maintain the rule of law.

The report comes as controversial reforms to Mexico’s judiciary aimed at combatting corruption were signed into law concurrently with the opening of the IBA annual conference.

The reforms, which call for the popular election of judges selected from a list pre-selected by the government, were roundly condemned by keynote speaker former Mexican president Ernesto Zedillo and criticised by Piña Hernández and IBA president Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama.