"Thank you very much for being our keynote speaker at GAWL's [Georgia Association for Women Lawyers] annual dinner... .  Several members commented that you were the best speaker that we have had in the past few years.  The work you have done to help women advance in the practice of law is quite remarkable."

     Sandra Malkin, Esq., Georgia Association for Women Lawyers Special Events Committee Chair 

"I attended your discussion in Philadelphia on October 26 and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it.  I find that too often issues related to women's advancement in the legal profession are presented in a negative way.  It was both refreshing and inspiring to hear your take on things, especially given what you've achieved professionally."

     Kate Katchen, Esq., Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP

     Susan J. Crane, Esq., Law Office of Susan J. Crane

"I'm so thrilled for you and hope you receive all the success you deserve for this ground breaking book."

     Vicki Donlan, author [and Helen French Graves] of "Her Turn:  Why It's Time for Women to Lead in America"

"Having survived three years in a law firm (and survive was the key word), I could definitely relate to the stories in this book.  The only shocking part is that I was in a law firm over 10 years ago, and nothing seems to have changed.  Ending the Gauntlet, however, is more than a compendium of stories of women being mommy-tracked.  It looks at the structure of a law firm itself and how that contributes to the workplace issues for everyone, not just women.  I particularly loved the Prologue (worth the price of the book itself, especially if you have my warped sense of humor), because it describes how a bizarre sort of company is run where performance for all employees is based solely on money they personally earn for the company; the managing director/CEO is only 'part-time' because he too has to earn money to keep his title; turnover is high; management is minimal or nonexistent; and people are given management positions because they are 'least objectionable' to others; part-time is extended but discouraged as it cuts into billable hours ... and you finally start to realize that while the rest of the world has moved forward, law firms are relics of days gone by."

     Diane K. Danielson, CEO, Downtown Women's Club

"Finally someone honestly addresses many of the major problems facing the legal profession today.  As a former attorney, I can relate to many of the issues raised by Ms. Rikleen in her book.  I entered the legal profession as a second career and was dismayed by the attitudes I encountered toward female attorneys and toward the concept of creating a healthier work environment.  While on the average, female attorneys suffer the most from antiquated and sexist ideas regarding what it means to practice law, the entire legal profession suffers as well.  It is time for ALL attorneys to stop the craziness.  All attorneys, firm managers and human development people should read this book."

     Kathleen Austin, Esq., Boston

"I purchased Ending the Gauntlet after hearing many rave reviews but admit that before reading it, I had my reservations that the tone of the book would be either too shrill or academic.  That was absolutely not the case.  Ms. Rikleen discusses the challenges that women lawyers face and the challenges that the profession as a whole faces in a thoughtful, honest and fair voice that is truly compelling to the reader.  I've recommended this book to every lawyer I know (male and female)."

     K. Mendoza, Esq., Morrison Mahoney LLP

"Ms. Rikleen's book is an insightful and well reasonsed review of issues affecting the legal profession today and how those forces often work against the advancement of women attorneys.  Ending the Gauntlet provides a comprehensive review of the issues facing women today, extensive research about these concerns and recommendations for change.  The book's approach is a refreshing one noting that while women face day to day challenges to succeed given our culture, the real problem is the one faced the the legal profession overall.  Ms. Rikleen rightly appreciates that it is time to redefine what it means to be sucessful in the legal profession.  She offers hope that the legal profession can allow the opportunity for all lawyers to succeed and in achieving that success, there is a place for serving clients, raising healthy children, caring for elderly parents and participating in our communities."

     E. Lynn Grayson, Esq., Jenner & Block LLP

"In her thoroughly researched and heavily footnoted book, Lauren Stiller Rikleen examines this troublesome issue:  why many female lawyers still have not achieved the same professional success as their male counterparts.  Rikleen delves into the challenging topics including part-time work, and what happens to the careers of women who opt for that route.  She also explains other factors that contribute to the success of male lawyers' careers (being mentored, and becoming rainmakers) and discusses why many women don't enjoy the benefit of those.

Rikleen, who is well versed in the advancement of women lawyers, concludes her book with a call to action.  She argues that law firms need to make a dramatic culture shift from the top down; firms should choose management which understands and values the contributions of women attorneys (not just those who fit the traditional, full-time mold).   Rikleen also hopes that law firm compensation will change to reward cooperative client development efforts, among other things.

Towards the end of the book Rikleen notes that it's not just childbearing female lawyers who seek a more manageable work/life balance; Generation X and Y lawyers of both sexes are also seeking the same.  She encourages law firm leaders to redefine their firms' cultures (as happened at her firm) in order to keep their talented lawyers, both male and female."

     Janet H. Moore, International Lawyer Coach

"Ending the Gauntlet was a powerful read -- it provides a very practical and realistic view of law firm culture for women and what needs to change.  I could not put it down.

As a former corporate executive who now consults with law firms on sales and leadership effectiveness, Ending the Gauntlet provides the roadmap for change -- at both the individual level for women and at the firm level."

     Paula Giovacchini, Akina

"Ending the Gauntlet" focuses on removing barriers to women's success in the legal field, but its message is applicable across a broad range of professions and industries, and to a broad range of people who are not white males.  The truth is that the playing field has yet to be leveled, and this book shows how that can be done."

     Nancy Shilepsky, Esq., Shilepsky O'Connell Casey Hartley Michon Yelen LLP