Let’s be honest: the legal field has been behind the times when it comes to equity and fair representation among attorneys, judges and others. Although women have made up approximately half of law school graduates for more than 20 years, they aren’t represented in law firms in the same numbers. In 2020, about 37% of lawyers in the United States were women, but women made up only 31% of non-equity partners and 21% of equity partners in U.S. law firms.
At Hagens Berman, we are honored to have dozens of exceptional women leading our cases and working on our teams, and we also recognize a need for continued dedication, emphasis and improvement. We strive to do better. Doing so starts at the desk of our HR recruiting team, in the minds of our members, and at the doors of each of our offices.
From our partners, to our associates, to our staff, women at Hagens Berman are making exceptional strides in the profession and setting the pace for a law firm ready to embrace a more equitable future.
Exceptional Women at Hagens Berman
Shelby Smith, Partner
Shelby Smith has dedicated her career to serving vulnerable victims of violent crimes. As a partner at Hagens Berman, she has represented victims against Weinstein, Miramax and The Weinstein Company Holdings for racketeering and sexual assault, represented current and former students of the University of Southern California in a class-action lawsuit against the university and Dr. George Tyndall for his alleged decades-long sexual abuse of patients and continues to represent victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in obtaining protection orders so that their abusers cannot have any contact with them.
What brought you to HB?
After leaving the King County Prosecutor’s Office, I wanted to continue to fight for those who are most vulnerable.
Tell us about how you started working at HB. Why did you want to work at the firm?
Hagens Berman has a reputation for being willing to go above and beyond in the fight for victim’s rights. I’ve dedicated my career to helping people, and the cases that Hagens Berman takes on regularly provide meaningful results for large groups of people. It seemed like a great place for me to continue to grow as an attorney.
What are two of the proudest moments you’ve had at the firm, personal or professional?
I’m especially proud of the work we did in the USC, Dr. Tyndall Sexual Harassment case because we were able to bring many former USC students some much-needed closure after they experienced horrible abuse as patients at the student health center on campus. Another proud moment was representing the women who bravely came forward to hold Harvey Weinstein accountable for his sexual misconduct that damaged their lives and careers.
What challenges have you faced in your legal career generally?
It can be hard to maintain a decent work-life balance when you are working on incredibly important cases that can help change people's lives.
What’s something you’d want to know if you were joining the firm today? What is a piece of advice you have for a woman joining HB in 2023?
It’s hard to describe how special this place is and just how impactful the work can be. My advice for a woman joining HB in 2023 is if you want to make an impact, you’re in the right place!
Abigail Pershing, Associate
Abigail Pershing is committed to advancing human and civil rights, both in the U.S. and abroad, as an associate at Hagens Berman. Prior to joining Hagens Berman, Abigail clerked at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France and served as a fellow in the court’s Research Division.
What brought you to HB?
HB is a place of action. The lawyers and staff who work here are at the forefront of cases that change people’s lives, in ways big and small, every day. After spending law school thinking about problems but doing little to actually solve them, I was determined to join an organization actively moving toward tangible solutions.
Tell us about how you started working at HB. Why did you want to work at the firm?
In the fall of 2021, I cold emailed Shayne Stevenson, a partner at HB, to ask about his human rights litigation work. After a far-ranging discussion about his experience, Shayne set up interviews for me with other HB partners. A whirlwind of conversations ensued: a Zoom call with Shana Scarlett, whose passion for holding industries to account came bursting through the screen; a conversation with Chris Pitoun, whose warm demeanor and generosity would win over the grouchiest of interlocutors; and a meeting with Steve Berman, whose reasons for litigating stem directly from his core convictions and whose philosophy of action I deeply respect. I accepted a job offer soon after and started with the firm in January of 2022.
What are two of the proudest moments you’ve had at the firm, personal or professional?
HB filed an environmental justice case against the Port of Seattle, Delta and Alaskan Air earlier this year. I put a lot of effort into the complaint, and I was incredibly proud to see it come to life.
A second proud moment was the first time I argued a dispositive motion in federal court, after I had been at the firm for about a year and a half. We are still waiting on a ruling from the judge, but I’m hoping for the best!
What challenges have you faced in your legal career generally?
Sometimes the law is simply not on your side. I find this immensely frustrating, especially when the law is morally wrong and perpetuates human suffering. Finding creative ways to approach these situations can help, but creativity is not always enough. In some cases, underlying systems need to change, and that requires work beyond the scope of a litigator’s day-to-day job.
What’s something you’d want to know if you were joining the firm today? What is a piece of advice you have for a woman joining HB in 2022?
Sexism in the legal profession is real, but we are making progress. Women now outnumber men in law school, and although 75% of law firm partners are still male, women have made great strides (HB itself is a strong part of that trend). I count myself among those lucky enough to travel a path that generations of women have given so much to forge. The path is still narrow and easy to lose. But it is there, and other women further along can help you find your way when you get lost.
