While it’s true many of the obstacles women had to overcome in the 1960s and even the 1970s are no longer significant issues, those women who choose a legal career still face challenges their peers in other professions may never encounter. According to the American Bar Association, women account for nearly 32% of all attorneys in America as of 2008. This is remarkable when one considers that in 1930, less than two percent of American lawyers were women. But what does this mean in terms of securing employment in the legal profession? And do women face discriminations, on any level, in the one profession built to ensure discrimination does not exist at all within the employment process? The answers may surprise you.

A groundbreaking study was conducted in 2004 by DRI, an international organization of attorneys that defend businesses and individuals. The results revealed one of the biggest challenges for female lawyers is they’re not allowed the opportunity to be as aggressive and even confrontational as their male counterparts in litigation. Further, women lawyers report feeling as though they’re inhibited by the proverbial glass ceiling that keeps them from advancing.  One thing female attorneys have in common with other women in the work force is the expectations of American society. Women are still considered the nurturers and should shoulder the lion’s share of domestic chores and responsibilities. This, as one might expect, is more than a little frustrating and disheartening for those who dedicate a portion of their lives to pursuing their educations in an effort to make a significant mark in the legal field. As a result, women lawyers feel the right legal environment that allows them to flourish in their chosen career with no limitations, or at least, no more limitations than their male co-workers, is challenging at best and disappointingly impossible at worst.

Fortunately, and finally, the long overdue shifts are beginning to occur. The odds of women lawyers finding the right fit that allows them to bring it all to the table, so to speak, are increasing. As A. Harrison Barnes, an attorney and CEO of LawCrossing.com points out, graduating from a top law school is only part of the story. Remaining committed to finding the right position is crucial not only for your success, but for your overall happiness – in both your career and personal life. He goes on to say, “This is one reason LawCrossing.com was created – to provide across-the-board career opportunities for attorneys across the U.S.” There are those firms that excel in meeting the needs of its legal teams and its clients. No one should have to sacrifice one for the other, nor should anyone – men or women – discover they’ve hit the glass ceiling. Not only does it stifle employees, but it also limits the legal firm as a whole.

As mentioned, the shifts are beginning to occur, however it can be a bit of a slow dance. According to the American Bar Association, women lawyers still earn significantly less than male lawyers. In 2007, women were earning 77.5% of a man’s typical salary. The numbers improve with each report. It’s worth mentioning that in 2002, the percentage was 69.4%.

For more information on A. Harrison Barnes, visit his blog at aharrisonbarnes.com and we invite you to visit LawCrossing.com for access to legal careers, including paralegal jobs and legal secretary jobs throughout the country that are advertised nowhere else.

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Each year, the number of employers that incorporate any number of background screening options grows. The potential for violating federal employment laws grow as well. With so many applicants applying for fewer jobs, the need for culling the wrong job applicants early in the process is crucial. The problem is more lawyers are seeing an increase in evidence that these screening methods are unreliable and in fact, possibly illegal.

One recent lawsuit includes the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claims that credit scores and certain criminal charges and convictions are irrelevant when determining whether or not one is capable of performing certain jobs. In fact, the EEOC is taking many similar cases in an effort to thwart these kinds of discriminations. This, of course, means more employment lawyers are needed to handle these cases. A. Harrison Barnes, a career coach and renowned lawyer, says this is a new trend that will play a major role in how employers opt to select candidates for employment. One look at the LawCrossing.com career board reveals this trend. Law firms are looking for bright talent capable of handling discrimination suits. In fact, those currently in the market for new legal careers are searching for those job opportunities that allow them to make a difference in the way employers conduct business related to hiring practices.

Many internships are being offered in this rapidly growing sector as well. A. Harrison Barnes says these are good indicators for new trends in law careers and are also an excellent way for young legal talent to begin making their mark. LawCrossing.com puts the right candidates in touch with those firms interested in new graduates who are preparing to enter the workforce.

So just how big is the problem? One in five adults in the U.S. have some kind of criminal record. This statistic makes it clear the potential problems many will run into if employers are not held accountable for the way they make their hiring decisions. In 2008, 85% of employers conducted a “standard” background check that included searches for criminal records. In 2009, the percentage was at 93. To provide more perspective, the last half of 2009 revealed loan and credit card delinquencies were at a 35 year high. This means those employers who also conduct routine credit checks will have a lot fewer candidates left to choose from. Indeed, this presents any number of problems not only for the employers and job seekers but the economy as a whole. The time is right for new legislation and only highlights the need for lawyers with the right training and insight to tackle this growing legal problem.

If you’re considering a change of pace in your own legal career, consider the opportunities found on LawCrossing.com. It an all-inclusive site that has openings all over the country and the best part is they’re only found here. With experts at the ready to provide assistance in updating or preparing your resume, the right job is only an interview away.

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As yet another Oscar season wraps up, we wanted to take a look inside the exciting world of entertainment law. Many lawyers can relate to seeing a celebrity make one mistake after another and wonder, “Why doesn’t this guy’s lawyer reel him in already?” Remember the writer’s strike from a few years ago? It was entertainment lawyers who worked day and night to find a resolution so that the rest of us could get our “Law & Order” or “CSI” weekly cure-alls. Maybe it’s the Britney Spears fiasco that lasted for more than a year and resulted in less than ideal public behaviors that left you wondering what her own legal representation was facing in terms of protecting the client from herself. And too, entertainment lawyers ensure their celebrity clients are adequately compensated for their appearances and talents that we’re afforded at the movie theatres. “Entertainment law has never fit neatly into any predetermined category”, says A. Harrison Barnes, lawyer and founder of LawCrossing.com. He continues, “In fact, it’s often these attorneys who make their legal careers in entertainment who forge their own paths based on their clients’ needs”.

The entertainment law specialty is fast paced and the wise lawyer knows to never assume when it comes to actors, musicians and celebrities. There are aspects that are glamorous, fun and exciting; however, it’s also a demanding and time consuming legal specialty. As A. Harrison Barnes says, “It’s not for the weak willed”. Those who make the best entertainment lawyers are experts at contract negotiations, insurance, financial and real estate contracts and even the ever changing copyright considerations. Further, with so many stalkers gaining access to those celebrities they’re obsessed with via the internet, there are times when a lawyer deals with the criminal side of entertainment law. Lest we forget those celebrities who are their own worst enemies. Far too many have substance abuse problems that result in attempts to break their own contracts or their habits have caused considerable problems due to vehicle crashes and other serious matters. The first person who’s called is the attorney. The LawCrossing.com founder goes on to say that many entertainment lawyers will also find themselves dealing with marketing and merchandising legalities and contracts with other professionals, such as agents and managers.

Many law schools, including UCLA and Stanford University, offer a specialized area of study in entertainment law. If you’re currently in law school, you might consider joining the American Bar Association’s Forum for the Entertainment and Sports Industries. Also, interning for organizations such as Lawyers for the Arts is also a great way to gain exposure while also testing the waters to be sure it’s right for you.

Finally, if you’re looking for the right legal career in the entertainment industry, be sure to visit LawCrossing.com. The latest legal careers are compiled here and made available to job seekers around the country. Those firms in Los Angeles and New York that work strictly with celebrities and other entertainment venues know the best legal minds are members of the LawCrossing.com network. Recent graduate or experienced legal mind – there’s a new legal career waiting.

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Being charged with homicide is a life changing event, regardless of whether one is ultimately found innocent or guilty. The possibility of the death penalty is by far one of the most traumatic realizations for those charged with murder. Becoming an attorney who represents those charged with homicide is never done without a lot of consideration and perhaps even a bit of soul searching. Navigating the legal waters that include evidence gathering, locating and interviewing witnesses, and of course, interpreting the law,  is crucial and often, makes all the difference in a jury’s decision, therefore, it stands to reason criminal attorneys make their decisions for this specialty only after they’ve considered the responsibilities they have to their clients.

A passion for the law is what propels attorneys in this particular specialty. Dedication for righting the wrongs in our society, commitment to representing their clients fairly and faith in the legal system as a whole is a must for any attorney considering Criminal Law. The legalities associated with murder charges can be overwhelming, which only reiterates the need for dedicated legal representation. Events often unfold quickly in a courtroom where judges, district attorneys and lawyers negotiate charges, bail and other details associated with any particular criminal case. Let’s face, there are few things, if any, that are more devastating than being charged with homicide. Still, many lawyers dedicate themselves to fighting for those charged with murder or, perhaps, dedicate themselves to working for a district attorney who is as committed to fighting for the victims.

Charges such as these affect more than just the accused. There are families that are devastated and forever changed, mothers who want to help by providing less than honest information, wives, mistresses or husbands who have revenge in mind and children of both the accused and the victim. The accused will lie; the innocent will lie – all in an effort of finding justice. And it’s never wrapped up nicely in forty two minutes, there is no Jack McCoy to save the day and there will be days when criminal lawyers question their decisions in choosing a law career and will ask themselves, “I sacrificed all those years and for what?”  A. Harrison Barnes, attorney and founder of LawCrossing.com says, “It’s only natural”.

Homicide trials are usually extensive and at times, unpredictable. Ninety seven percent of those charged with serious felonies, including manslaughter and murder, have no idea of what to expect from one court hearing to another. This is why lawyers must remain focused, ethical and even compassionate. Regardless of what you decide, you are sure to find the right position at LawCrossing.com. There are no advertisements, legal jobs are aggregated from sources around the country other job boards simply don’t have access to. A. Harrison Barnes created LawCrossing.com and its sister sites, such as LegalAuthority.com, in an effort to serve his fellow legal minds as they define their career paths. Be sure to take advantage of LawCrossing.com’s resume service too. The professionals can help ensure your resume is flawless and can draft a cover letter that will have you in demand.

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