September 19th, 2025
Supporting Women in Business: A Legal Perspective
Posted in: Business Law Employment Law Real Estate Law
As business, real estate and employment law attorneys practicing in Maryland, we work extensively with women entrepreneurs and executives who face unique challenges in today’s business environment. In honor of American Women’s Business Day, we offer our insights.
Darla McClure
Darla McClure is well-versed in business and employment law, specializing in governance and transactional work and employment compliance and dispute resolution. Throughout her career, she’s negotiated agreements ranging from complex shareholder and operating agreements to vendor agreements, working with businesses of all sizes. Darla’s employment law practice includes drafting restrictive covenant agreements, confidentiality agreements, and executive employment contracts, while ensuring compliance with state and local regulations. She serves as trusted general counsel to her business clients, providing responsive communication and practical legal solutions tailored to their individualized objectives.
Beth McIntosh Irving
Beth Irving is well-versed in real estate law, specializing in complex commercial transactions such as acquisitions, sales, development, financing, and leasing. Throughout her career, she’s negotiated agreements for construction, leasing, and management, working with developers, tenants, and foundations. Beth has served on the Board of Directors for the Commercial Real Estate Women during the organization’s inaugural five years, and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Karen Shapiro
Karen Shapiro is well-versed in business law, specializing in mergers, acquisitions, and other commercial transactions, as well as business dispute resolution. Throughout her career, she’s successfully facilitated business transitions to market buyers, key employees, and family members, while handling disputes among business owners and employment-related claims. Karen’s realistic, detail-oriented approach guides clients through complex decision-making processes spanning the entire business lifecycle. She has served on the Board of Directors of the D.C. Chapter of Exit Planning Exchange (XPX) since 2016, including three years as President of the organization.
What’s Changed for Women in Business in Recent Years?
Well, there’s more of us. There are more female business owners. There’s been a notable increase in women-led startups seeking legal counsel, particularly in tech and healthcare sectors There are also more female attorneys and other professionals.
From our practice perspective, we’ve witnessed significant legal changes. Maryland has strengthened its equal pay laws with enhanced disclosure requirements around compensation.
However, persistent challenges remain. Female representation in C-suites and on Boards has improved thanks to public pressure and some legislative initiatives, but it’s still insufficient.
Best Advice for Women Starting Their Own Business?
First, get your legal foundation rock solid from day one. We see too many women entrepreneurs bootstrap everything, including legal services, which creates problems later. Proper entity formation, intellectual property protection, and solid contracts are non-negotiable.
Also, build your advisory network strategically. Having respected business leaders and attorneys who understand your industry on your side provides credibility and opens doors. Don’t underestimate the power of having established advocates vouch for your competence and vision.
Best Advice on Creating Inclusive Workplace Policies?
We help clients develop comprehensive policies that go beyond legal minimums. This includes flexible work arrangements, transparent promotion criteria, and structured parental leave policies that apply equitably.
The key is creating policies that are legally compliant but also practically effective. Many well-intentioned policies fail in implementation, so we work with clients on rollout strategies and regular policy reviews to ensure they’re achieving intended outcomes.
