Best Practice #6: Ensuring a diverse committee handles disputes over reward allocation, particularly origination credit
Not only the system of reward allocation, but also the process for settling disputes, can make a tremendous difference for women and people of color. This study shows clearly that the current system, in which origination credit contests are left to be negotiated privately between the contesting partners is having a highly negative effect on many women and attorneys of color. This is precisely the kind of context—out of the public eye, with no oversight whatsoever—in which hidden bias flourishes.
The National Association of Women Lawyers recommends that firms establish “a powerful and diverse oversight committee” charged with resolving disputes over origination credit.
