Biglaw, Gender, Midsize Firms / Regional Firms, Rudeness, Small Law Firms, Solo Practitioners, Women's Issues

Stop Treating Women Lawyers Like Crap

Just how much sexism do women lawyers face on a day-to-day basis? It’s astonishing.

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The terrible way women lawyers are treated in the legal profession has been described in these pages ad infinitum. Whether their necklines are too low, their hair is too long, they’re giggling too much, or their maternity leave is considered an inconvenience, women lawyers aren’t taken seriously, and they certainly aren’t treated with respect by their fellow lawyers in this profession.

But just how much sexism do women lawyers face on a day-to-day basis? It’s astonishing…

We decided to reach out to our readers to gauge their experience with sexism in the legal profession. Some of the feedback we received proved just how badly lawyers need to reassess the way they interact with each other, both in the office and in the courtroom. We heard from women via Facebook, Twitter, email, and then plucked some comments from Jezebel’s write-up of our story about a woman who was denied a continuance despite her being on maternity leave. Women lawyers do exist, and they’re here to stay — but unfortunately, it seems like some of the men in this profession aren’t too happy about it.

These are some of the worst experiences women lawyers have dealt with in terms of sexism on the job:

1. As a female litigator practicing for 18 years, I find that women attorneys who aggressively represent their clients are considered bitchy whereas the men who do the same are “excellent litigators.” Oh, and not surprisingly I still get confused for the court reporter or secretary on a regular basis.

2. I had a judge refuse to allow me to quash depositions based on location and my inability to travel due to my high risk multiples pregnancy. He had the gall to suggest that the case couldn’t be halted for my pregnancy when I was asking for a location change and a small date accommodation. My twins are almost two and half now. Still don’t have a trial date.

3. True story: when my mom was pregnant with my older sister she had a trial scheduled for her due date. When she asked the judge to move it he denied the request, saying, “Cross your legs, sweetheart.”

4. A lawyer came in my office and told my female partner, “No offense, but most women lawyers are hard to deal with.” #jerk

5. My opposing counsel asked me if I was married then said, “Married couples fight.” I was a domestic violence attorney.

6. I had opposing counsel (an old white man) put his arm around me and call me “honey” as we approached the bench during a trial!

7. After opposing counsel stated his appearance, the judge began speaking before letting me even say my first name!

8. I’m a law student and was seeking donations from a clothing boutique for a charity event. “But we don’t have clothes for lawyers,” they told me. The store only sold women’s clothing.

9. A friend of mine is an employment lawyer in NYC. She was fired from her large firm when she got pregnant — violating a ton of labor laws. The whole thing is nuts.

10. Him: “What do you do?”
Me: “I’m an attorney.”
Him: “You mean a paralegal right???”

While some of these were borderline sexist, others were much more egregious, and even disgusting. No wonder so many women feel like they aren’t respected as attorneys — it’s because they aren’t.

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The next time a woman speaks to you, please don’t assume it’s alright to call her by a pet name. The next time you see a woman in court, please don’t assume she’s a court reporter, a secretary, or a paralegal. The next time a woman zealously advocates for her client, please don’t assume she’s a huge bitch.

Treat women in the legal profession as you would like to be treated. It’s really not that difficult, honey.

Judge Forces Lawyer to Bring Her Baby to Court, Calls Her a Bad Parent [Jezebel]

Earlier: Judge Refuses To Postpone Hearing Because Maternity Leave Isn’t A Good Enough Excuse
Women Lawyers Advised Not To Dress Like Lady Gaga, Among Other Absurdities
Law School Sends Memo About Inappropriate Student Cleavage, Hooker Heels
Biglaw Memo From Top Firm Advises That Women ‘Don’t Giggle,’ Don’t ‘Show Cleavage’

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