As women, we constantly hear about all of the reasons why the legal profession can be difficult. Clients assume we’re not tough. We have to earn clients’ respect. We have to earn the respect of our peers. We have to work twice as hard for half the pay. It’s impossible to have work-life balance. And, a family? Forget it.
But, there are many ways in which being a woman-in-law can
be a great advantage. When you think of all the ways that being female is an
asset (not a hindrance), you can see how to empower yourself in your career.
Play to your strengths and you can accomplish whatever you set out to do.
You Are Underestimated
When I graduated from law school I was only twenty-three years
old, but I looked like I was about seventeen. Someone actually asked me one day
in court if it was “Take Your Daughter to Work Day.” I was holding case files
and a briefcase and thought I looked the part of a real lawyer but was
reminded just how much perception can play into the legal field. At first, I
was upset and felt I had to work harder to prove myself. Then I realized that
being underestimated was a huge advantage. Other attorneys didn’t expect me to
know much of anything. I had the element of surprise in my favor.
And, when I negotiated plea deals, I came across to the
older attorneys as almost like a granddaughter. They didn’t want to disappoint
the sweet, new attorney that reminded them of their college-aged loved one. I
got fair, but really quality deals on behalf of my clients.
I quickly learned that I didn’t need to act like a tough
know-it-all. I just needed to be myself. And, if other attorneys or even
clients sometimes didn’t expect much from me, being able to prove them wrong
was incredibly rewarding.
Different Skill-Sets
Everybody is different, of course. And, the age-old gender
stereotypes of men being tough while women are better at the so-called soft
skills isn’t necessarily true for everyone. Whether you identify with the
classic gender stereotypes or not, there are certain skills that you, yourself,
have that set you apart from others.
If you do identify as being stronger with the soft-skills,
that can be a huge asset in your practice of law. This can be especially true
in certain areas of law. An estate planning attorney who takes the time to
really get to know her clients is likely to be more successful than an attorney
who gruffly makes snap decisions about a client’s estate. And, that client will
be more likely to come back to you when they need to buy or sell real estate,
when they need an update to their estate plans, when they want to establish a
trust, or when they need any other additional legal services.
Not only do these soft-skills help you serve your clients
well, but they also helps you build a successful practice.
Comeraderie
Perhaps because women do face so many challenges, we
understand the struggles we go through. In my experience practicing law so far,
there have definitely been plenty of helpful male attorneys, but nobody will
celebrate your successes or commiserate with you over your struggles better
than fellow women in the legal profession.
I recently experienced some serious frustrations at my law
firm. I applied for the job rather than hang my own shingle, because I figured
the mentorship I
was promised at the law firm would help me learn my new jurisdiction faster
than if I slogged it out on my own.
The problem was, I wasn’t really mentored the way I expected
I would be. Instead, I joined several female lawyer groups on Facebook. I found
women there from all different legal jobs: in-house counsel, solo
practitioners, partners at small law firms, aspiring partners at big firms, and
every other legal job (and sometimes legal-adjacent job) you can think of.
There are women who post questions about how to balance
breastfeeding and litigating. Questions about where to find stylish
courtroom attire. Questions about how to handle announcing a pregnancy at
work. Questions about how to take maternity leave. Questions our male
counterparts would never think of or would have little to no first-hand
experience on the subject.
Not all women are supportive of other women, but the women
who are—they will be your absolute best cheerleaders and help you blaze a new
path in your own legal career.
Embrace Your Strengths
Too often, we as women, are taught that our gender is a disadvantage, something that has to be overcome. But, when you play to your strengths, even if those strengths are typical female stereotypes, you become stronger. And, when you become a part of a supportive female community, there is no limit to what you can accomplish—especially in the legal field.