The "motherhood penalty" and the legal profession

The "motherhood penalty" and the legal profession

From Today's Conveyancer Podcast by Today's Conveyancer

May 30, 2026 · 28 min · Season 5 · Episode 15

About this episode

This episode discusses the impact of maternity leave on women's careers in the legal profession, focusing on the motherhood penalty.

The latest Today’s Conveyancer Podcast turns its attention to one of the profession’s most persistent, and least openly discussed, challenges: the impact of maternity leave on women’s careers in law. While the legal sector is not alone in perpetuating the motherhood penalty, the measurable career disadvantage experienced by women after having children, the podcast explores the unique pressure the legal sector presents around billable hours, PQE structures and the absence of traditional ...

People in this episode

Host: Today’s Conveyancer

Topics covered

  • motherhood penalty
  • legal profession
  • maternity leave
  • women's careers
  • billable hours
  • PQE structures

Keywords

  • motherhood penalty
  • maternity leave
  • legal profession
  • women in law
  • career disadvantage
  • billable hours
  • PQE structures

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The 'motherhood penalty'

Places: legal sector

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