Women’s Growing Impact in Class Action Law

Over the past decade, women have made significant strides in the legal profession, and their presence in law continues to grow. According to the American Bar Association, the percentage of female lawyers has increased from 36% in 2014 to 41% in 2024. While male attorneys still outnumber female attorneys (58% to 41%), the gap is steadily closing.

Key milestones highlight this shift:

• 2016 – Women became the majority of law school students (56.2%).

• 2020 – Women made up the majority of general lawyers in the federal government (51.5%).

• 2023 – Women became the majority of law firm associates (50.3%).

Even with progress, women remain underrepresented in top roles like judgeships and senior positions at law firms. However, in class action law, female attorneys are making a big impact—leading major cases, holding corporations accountable, and securing significant settlements.

Below, we highlight three female attorneys who are shaping the class action landscape:

Edith Kallas

In 2024, Edith Kallas of Whatley Kallas played a pivotal role in securing the largest antitrust class action settlement in healthcare history-a landmark $2.8 billion settlement on behalf of nationwide healthcare providers. Specializing in healthcare and insurance litigation, she represents healthcare providers, patients, and medical associations in class actions and other legal matters. Kallas has also led numerous successful healthcare class actions against major insurers like Aetna, Cigna, and Wellpoint. Recognized for her dedication to justice, she has received numerous accolades and has contributed to the field with articles and presentations on healthcare litigation.

Kelly M. Dermody 

Kelly M. Dermody, Managing Partner at Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP in San Francisco, played a strategic role in the Goldman Sachs gender pay disparity case. Her leadership helped secure a historic $215 million settlement in 2023, one of the largest gender discrimination settlements before trial. The settlement, which benefited nearly 3,000 female employees, also required Goldman Sachs to make significant workplace reforms. Dermody is widely recognized for her work in civil rights and employment law, earning numerous honors, including a Law360 "Class Action Law MVP" award.

Erin Copeland

Erin Copeland, a partner at Fibich Leebron Copeland & Briggs and one of America’s Top 50 Lawyers (Class Action - Texas), has been a key advocate for women harmed by dangerous products. She helped negotiate a $1.6 billion settlement with Bayer in 2020, resolving litigation over the Essure birth control device, which caused severe and permanent injuries to thousands of women. Currently, Copeland leads the Paragard MDL (birth control) in the Northern District of Georgia and is actively involved in the Hair Relaxer MDL in the Northern District of Illinois. These cases highlight her dedication to protecting women’s health and holding manufacturers accountable.

As we celebrate Women's History Month, it's a great time to recognize the growing impact of women in class action law. These attorneys are not just winning major cases—they're setting the stage for future generations of women in the legal field.