Sexism, Women's Issues

The Pink Ghetto: When A Biglaw Partner Asks You About Prostitution During An Interview

What was this partner thinking?

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The new norm for Biglaw interviews?

The new norm for Biglaw interviews?

Welcome back to The Pink Ghetto, a series where we take a look at some of the most appalling stories from one of the most sexist industries in the world: the legal profession. Today, we’ll be examining the way women in law school and law practice are treated based on their gender and perceived ties to feminism. These are real emails that we’ve received from real readers.

When you see things like this happening, say something. Together, we can inspire the change necessary to stop this disturbing behavior from being so prevalent in the law.

I was over 40 when I started law school in 2009, and at the end of my first year we had to do a mock oral appellate argument. I thought I nailed mine but, afterwards, as the class was dismissed, the professor asked to speak with me. I was informed that while I obviously was both well-prepared and articulate, I came off as “hard” and “masculine” and that I should think about softening my tone and presentation.

The professor was a female, about 15 years older than I. I was so stunned (and hurt, honestly) that it wasn’t until later that I thought I should have asked her if she ever told any of the males in the class that they came off as hard and masculine and should think about softening their tone and presentation.

I was a law student who was hoping to land a Biglaw summer associate position for summer after my 2L year. I was top 15% at a regional law school, but one big firm that I interviewed with clearly did not think that I was in the running for a 2L summer position.

During one of the worst half hours of my career, the male partner zeroed in on the fact that I was a women’s studies major in college. He asked me if I was a “feminist” and “what was I thinking majoring in women’s studies.” Each time that I tried to bring one of his sexist interview questions back to my qualifications, he would say, “That’s not what I asked you.”

It finally culminated in him saying, “Let me ask you a question. Prostitutes. The ultimate feminists or the ultimate anti-feminists?” I was through at this point. So I told him, “Well, I guess it depends on the prostitute,” and then walked out.

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Do you have a law school or law firm story you’d like to see appear in The Pink Ghetto? Please email me with “The Pink Ghetto” in the subject line (or find me on Twitter: @StaciZaretsky). You will be kept anonymous. Submissions are always welcome!

Staci Zaretsky is an editor at Above the Law. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. Follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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