Between the bar and a glass ceiling

Julia Huston, a partner at the Boston intellectual-property law firm Bromberg & Sunstein LLP, became president of the Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts last month. Huston, 40, who cochairs the firm's trademark and copyright practice groups, spoke with Globe reporter Sacha Pfeiffer.

Q Law firms are notoriously difficult places for women because of their emphasis on billable hours, their demanding schedules, and their reputation as old boy networks, but you've achieved partner status at your firm. What does it take for women to rise in firm hierarchy?

A Unfortunately, it is not enough to be a hard worker at most firms. In order to become a partner, you typically need to provide excellent legal services and also have some ability to develop and maintain your own client base. This is a skill many women find difficult, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Many women are uncomfortable with client development activities because they feel like salespeople. The much more natural way to approach client development is to look at it as assisting people who need services. Most women feel very natural in the helping role. Women can be excellent rainmakers if they bring the right attitude and feel comfortable in the role.

Q Why aren't women advancing in the profession at the same rate as men?

A One primary reason is the demands of the job and the number of hours it typically takes to have a successful law practice. Many people, both men and women, find it difficult to juggle the demands of practicing law with family obligations.

Traditionally, men have been more willing to sacrifice their family time. But in order for law firms to retain their women talent, they have to acknowledge that attorneys need to balance their work lives with other commitments and may occasionally need time off or a reduced-hour schedule. Law firms need to understand that this does not signify a lack of commitment to the profession.

Q Do you have children?

A No.

Q Are you married?

A Yes.

Q Some female associates who want children and also want to become partners feel hopeless when they see female partners at their firms who are childless. Since you don't have kids, can you be an effective advocate for women lawyers who want children?

A It is important as a woman to support the right of all women -- and, indeed, all attorneys -- to lead balanced lives. I have always advocated for the rights of women in the profession and will continue to do so regardless of whether I have children. Working in a family-friendly environment benefits everyone. We all have lives outside of work.

Q You have two bachelor's degrees and a J.D. from Boston University, as well as a master's in education from Harvard. Why so many degrees?

A When I jump in, I guess I tend to jump in with both feet. What started out as a psychology degree developed into a double major, which developed into a dual degree. At the time, I was concerned I couldn't get a paying job with an undergraduate degree in psychology.

So I declared a second major, and ultimately a second degree, in special education so I could be a certified teacher. After graduating, I began teaching at the New England Center for Autism and pursued my master's part time over two years.

Q And the law degree?

A During my second year at Harvard, I worked at the Center for Law and Education, and that was my first contact with lawyers. I was truly inspired by the work they were doing and decided I wanted to go down that path.

Q Do you like being a lawyer?

A I do. I love my job. That's still amazing to my friends and family, but it's true.

Q They find it hard to believe you can be happy being a lawyer?

A Well, they don't see other lawyers who love their jobs. There's a lot of job dissatisfaction among lawyers, and I do consider myself one of the lucky ones.