Fortune 500 companies are apparently making faster progress than law firms in terms of diversity in the upper ranks, according to a recent survey that found that one in

five general counsels at Fortune 500 companes are women. The 92 general counsels currently employed by Fortune 500 companies is more than double the 44 females GCs reported when the Minority Corporate Counsel association began keeping such stats in 1999.  "This trend is a natural result of the emphasis on diversity within corporate legal departments," says Stacy Humphries of Houston's MS Legal Search "In general, corporations have been working harder and smarter than law firms to foster diversity, both in terms of women and minorities." This year's survey found 20 new women GCs at Fortune 500 companies, with all but three replacing male counterparts. "The numbers indicate that companies are not just hiring talented women lawyers, but are also retaining and promoting them." To interview Ms. Humphries on hiring trends in the legal industry, contact Barry Pound at 800-559-4534 or barry@androvett.com.