Women in law discuss career paths and future challenges at breakfast event

Insights|March 10, 2025

The Agnes Lundell Society and the Finnish Bar Association hosted a breakfast event that brought together a diverse group of women in law in different stages of their career. The discussion explored career journeys, workplace challenges, and the evolving legal profession, drawing inspiration from Finland’s first female lawyer, Agnes Lundell.

Born in the late 19th century, Agnes Lundell made history in 1911 by becoming Finland’s first female lawyer. She began her career as a copyist and had to fight for permission to take notes at the Senate. Even after being granted the right to practice law, she was barred from representing clients in court, as women were considered to lack authority. To be professionally accepted, she signed legal documents using only her first initial to conceal her gender.

Despite these restrictions, Lundell built a remarkable career and became a pioneer for women in law. She established a thriving legal practice, focusing on cases that protected the rights of women and children. Through her work, she provided critical legal assistance to those who had few other options, ensuring access to justice for many who had previously been overlooked. Her impact extended beyond individual cases – she helped shape a more equitable legal landscape for future generations. Because of her success, she was able to leave a significant donation to Åbo Akademi to support legal education, ensuring that women pursuing a career in law would have greater opportunities than she did.

The panel discussion, moderated by Johanna Flythström, featured Ritva-Liisa Luomaranta, Deputy Judge and board professional; Hanna Räihä-Mäntyharju, Partner at Tempo and former Chair of the Finnish Bar Association; Ilona Karppinen, Partner at Castrén & Snellman; and Jasmin Wardi, Partner Elect at Asianajotoimisto Krogerus.

While the legal profession has come a long way since Lundell’s time, gender disparities remain. As Marian Grönlund from the Finnish Bar Association pointed out, women are still underrepresented in the attorney profession. Although a significant majority of new law students are women, far fewer choose to pursue a career as an attorney. Currently, only 39% of Finnish attorneys are women, and those who do enter the field tend to have significantly shorter careers than their male counterparts – lasting an average of just 7.5 years, or as little as 6 years in the capital region in Finland. On average, women leave the profession nearly a decade earlier than men. This, in turn, affects leadership opportunities: among the 20 largest law firms in Finland, only about a quarter of partners are women. Many female lawyers simply do not remain in the field long enough to reach a stage where partnership is an option.

These figures illustrate the structural and cultural barriers that still shape women’s careers in law. The discussion highlighted the need for continued efforts to ensure that women not only enter the profession but also can build long and fulfilling careers.

Looking ahead, the panelists explored the future of the legal profession, particularly the growing role of AI and the increasing specialization of legal work. Ritva-Liisa emphasized the importance of maintaining broad legal knowledge while adapting to technological advancements.

The discussion closed with a shared commitment to supporting the next generation of women in law, ensuring that more of them can thrive in long and fulfilling legal careers. Agnes Lundell’s story continues to inspire, and her perseverance serves as a reminder that progress is built by those who push forward.