Bowditch & Dewey has a history of being at the forefront of women’s advancement in law firms. The law firm is proud that one of Worcester’s first women attorneys, Irene Gowetz, was a name partner (Bowditch & Dewey was formerly known as Bowditch, Gowetz & Lane). In addition, Jane Hawkes, the Firm’s second Managing Partner, was the first woman elected Managing Partner of a leading Massachusetts law firm.

In 2003, Bowditch & Dewey launched the “Women’s Initiative” with the goal of supporting the advancement and retention of women in the Firm and fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace for all personnel. The law firm is also a Sponsor Partner of the Commonwealth Institute, a preeminent women’s organization whose members are women entrepreneurs and business leaders in the Commonwealth.

In 2006, Bowditch & Dewey announced the formation of the Bowditch Institute for Women’s Success. As a subsidiary of the Firm, the Institute provides seminars, consulting, speaking and coaching services designed to support the advancement and retention of women in law firms and other professional services organizations. Lauren Rikleen serves as the Executive Director of the Institute. Ms. Rikleen is the author of Ending the Gauntlet: Removing Barriers to Women’s Success in the Law, a book about the institutional impediments to the retention and advancement of women in the legal profession. In 2005, Ms. Rikleen was appointed by the President of the American Bar Association to the twelve-member ABA Commission on Women in the Profession.

In 2009, Bowditch & Dewey was selected by Leading Women, an organization whose mission is to inspire and honor the success of women leaders in organizations, as a winner of one of its Leading Women to the Top Awards in the highest category of Greatest Proven Impact. This award is given to organizations with a demonstrated positive impact in advancing women.

Also in 2009, Partner Lauren Rikleen was chosen as an honoree for the 2nd annual upcoming "Women of Justice" event, presented by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in partnership with the Women's Bar Association and the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers. The award is in recognition of Ms. Rikleen's outstanding accomplishments in the areas of social justice and advocacy.