031: Why is it So Horrible to Be a Woman Lawyer?

Today, we are talking about a topic near and dear to our hearts, being a woman in the legal profession. It's 2016, are we really still having this same tired conversation about women in the workplace? Yes, yes we are.

In this episode we discuss:

• What is it really like to be a woman in the legal workforce?
• Why is it so hard to be a woman in the legal profession?
• Lee and Alison share their experience as lawyers, and from other jobs
• What is the "Martha Stewart" complex and why is it dangerous for women?
• Dealing with the lack of sponsorship for female lawyers
• How motherhood fits into your career as a lawyer
• Why are we not openly discussing the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood in the legal profession?
• Where can we go from here?

Resources

• Helping Moms Lean In, But Not Too Far - NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/03/fashion/helping-moms-lean-in-but-not-too-far.html)
• One Reason Why the Legal Profession is so Screwed Up (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/05/one-reason-the-legal-profession-is-so-screwed-up/)
• My Beloved World by Justice Sotomayor (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00957T7CQ/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1)
• Ms JD Law Review Diversity Survey (http://ms-jd.org/blog/article/ms.-jd-partners-with-nyu-law-review-to-re-launch-our-annual-law-review-dive)
• What No One Tells You Before You Go To Law School: You're Entering a Sexist Profession (http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/having-daughters-rather-than-sons-makes/)
• Mentors or Sponsors: Which Do You Need? (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/06/mentors-or-sponsors-which-do-you-need/)
• Having Daughters Rather Than Sons Makes You More Liberal (http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/having-daughters-rather-than-sons-makes/)
• BigLaw Partner Begs Associates Not to Leave Because of Their Kids (http://abovethelaw.com/2014/05/biglaw-partner-begs-associates-not-to-quit-because-of-their-kids/)

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know!

We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact).

Thanks for listening! And good luck out there, ladies!

Alison & Lee