Amid recent discussions surrounding gender wage gaps, a surprising trend has emerged in the role of GC.
According to the BarkerGilmore and Equilar General Counsel Pay Trends Reports for 2023, female General Counsels at Equilar 500 companies are earning more than their male counterparts – by nearly 8%.
General Counsel roles, bearing immense responsibility and requiring a wealth of knowledge and experience in legal affairs, are prestigious positions held in significant corporations. The trend of higher compensation for women in these roles counteracts the long-standing disparities often observed in other fields and positions. Furthermore, this data may provide impetus for discussions about gender wage dynamics in other high-level job roles and sectors.
Yet, it’s crucial not to view these findings in isolation or define them as a comprehensive defeat of the gender pay gap. Although positive, this development represents a specific subset of the professional landscape and does not negate the existence of persistent gender inequality in compensation across numerous industries.
To answer the daily trivia question from Above the Law, the precise median compensation for women in the General Counsel role at Equilar 500 companies remains undisclosed. However, the disclosed information implies that these professionals are enjoying a substantial salary, reportedly exceeding those of their male counterparts by roughly 8%.
While this is a welcome development, it invites further scrutiny into the broader landscape of compensatory structures and gender equality at significant corporations and law firms worldwide.