Bringing More Women To The Profession By Generating Interest Early

The work of building a more diverse profession has to start early.

The legal profession has a lot of diversity problems, and while some less-than-scrupulous law schools tell us the only way to address this underrepresentation is to allow them to profiteer off of students they can’t place in jobs, most of us know there has to be a better way. There’s a wealth of talented women and minorities out there, they just aren’t pursuing the legal profession in the numbers we need.

The Rising Phoenix Center for Law & Politics understands this challenge. Last week, the group held its first annual “Girls Rule the Law” conference to introduce middle and high school girls to the law, judiciary, legislature and politics at the New York City Bar Association headquarters. The group’s vision, as founding member Mirna Santiago explained, is to create a blueprint for girls to have impactful careers in law and politics. She told the girls at the event that even though women still do not have pay parity or other forms of equality in society, with the help of organizations like the Rising Phoenix, one day, girls would rule the law and effectuate change.

New York Court of Appeals Judge Jenny Rivera focused on this need to keep the underprivileged young women in the audience on the path to a professional career, telling the students to rid themselves of toxic influences in their lives and that if a “friend” told them not to study or finish school, they should know that is not a real friend. Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner echoed this theme, urging the women not to let doubts get in the way of pursuing their dreams.

Sharon Gerstman Stern reminded the girls that in the era of “#MeToo,” it’s important to speak up and not tolerate mistreatment. Former Gordon & Rees NY managing partner Mercedes Colwin also spoke at the event to discuss the importance of seizing opportunities. Sort of like jumping on the opportunity to brand the #MeToo a bunch of liars to land a spot as a Fox analyst. But that’s how one becomes the former managing partner.

Many of the speakers, like the girls in the audience, hailed from underprivileged and underrepresented backgrounds and shared personal anecdotes about some of the obstacles they faced to reach the pinnacle of their respective careers. The importance of providing students with an “if I can do it, so can you” role model can’t be understated. It’s central to the “Girls Rule the Law” vision.

Congratulations to the Rising Phoenix Center for Law & Politics on its successful first edition of this conference and special thanks to all the speakers. This is where the real work of building a diverse profession gets done.


Sponsored

HeadshotJoe Patrice is an editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news.

Sponsored