What’s Your Opinion? Do Women Lawyers Really Face Unique Challenges (Compared to Their Male Colleagues)?
You Are Invited: Join us for a live discussion of this topic on September 30th (and pick up some inspiring ideas to use in your own career). For details on the upcoming conference call:
http://lifedesignforlawyers.com/join-our-community/coachingcall
Whether you are a man or a woman – being a lawyer is a tough job. The expectations are high. The deadlines are brutal. The issues are complex and the hours are long. And, while attorneys demonstrate tremendous competence in their ability to handle a demanding professional life, many lawyers (male or female) struggle with maintaining a sense of balance alongside this often intense career.
Nevertheless, women seem to experience a unique and more complex set of challenges working in our field. In our workshops and coaching calls, women lawyers confide they often feel they must sacrifice their own personal needs to meet a never-ending stream of professional responsibilities. Women are almost universally concerned about the reality of achieving professional success - while still having a family and a “life beyond work”. Some share fears about gender bias and whether woman (particularly mothers) can really build a practice and succeed at the highest levels in the legal profession – while honoring personal and family responsibilities.
The statistics seems to back up our sense that it is more difficult for women lawyers to stay in the profession. According to a report released by the National Association of Women Lawyers, although women graduate from law school at about the same rate as men (48-52%), over 70% of women lawyers have left the profession by their seventh year. For those who remain, only 16% move on to become equity partners in major law firms, the majority of leadership positions still being held by men.
Like many of you, I have struggled with issues that feel uniquely “female”. As I have made changes to better balance my own professional and personal priorities, I have sometimes been faced with some difficult decisions. For example, one of my goals is it to leave the office no later the 6:00 pm (absent a significant emergency). In order to live up to this commitment, at times I have ended a conversation with my boss, walked out of a meeting or left the office without answering all my emails. If I let myself, I can get very uncomfortable and concerned that I will be perceived as “less than a full team player”.
I have addressed this concern by demonstrating my availability and willingness in other ways. I am in the office early; I often return emails late at night. I have excellent communication with my clients and I manage their expectations well. I walk the line between these demands with awareness and intention – and I admit, it’s not always easy.
Another personal challenge has been to forgo some of the professional socializing that I enjoy so much – and that can so often lead to lucrative relationships and assignments. Each invitation and opportunity is vetted through a complex maze of factors to be evaluated: How important is that I go? Will my husband be home that night? What’s on the kids’ calendar? What is the potential upside? Will anyone really miss me if I don’t attend? Will I enjoy the event?
As I am committed both to having a successful career AND to fully participating in my family life, it is not always clear when to go and when to stay. Yet, over time (and through a lot of trial and error), I have developed a lot more skill (and peace of mind) at establishing a routine that works for me, my family – and my career.
It may be that my male colleagues also struggle with such choices and decisions – but in my experience, it’s not to the same degree that women do. And I am not alone in working through these issues. As we have coached our clients, Sonia and I consistently hear them share about the challenges facing female attorneys working in the field, including experiences and perspectives like:
• “My male colleagues often have the support of a “stay at home” wife, which gives them the freedom to focus on their career in a way that I don’t.”
• “As a woman, I feel like I need to work harder to demonstrate my commitment to my career – I worry that if I’m not 100% available to my clients and my firm, my career will suffer – or I won’t be taken as seriously by my peers.”
• “I struggle with feelings of guilt: when I am at home I feel guilty that I’m not a work and when I’m at work I feel guilty that I’m not home. I don’t have a sense of peace around my choices.”
• “I lack the support and the role models to help me have a successful personal and professional life. Given what I see, having both doesn’t seem possible.”
What’s YOUR opinion?
Do you believe women lawyers face a distinct set of challenges and circumstances in this field? If so – what do you see as some of the most significant issues facing women in law today? What’s the most significant challenge YOU deal with?
Please share your thoughts, opinions and observations - and join in our community discussion by adding your input in the box below.
AND – if you are looking for some fresh ideas and support in navigating the most common challenges facing women lawyers today, be sure to join us for our next “Community Call” on this topic, coming up soon on September 30th.
You’ll connect with other savvy women in your field to discuss the most common challenges facing female lawyers today.
Sonia Stringer and Michelle Bauman will be joining you to share our coaching perspective, as well as some proven strategies that will set you up for more success in your career (and a more balanced, fulfilling personal life).
For more details and to join this session click here:
http://lifedesignforlawyers.com/join-our-community/coachingcall
