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How Ritu Bhasin Seeks to Create an Empowered & Inclusive World
By Jaya Saxena • September 22, 2017 •Features, Guest Bloggers and Profiles of Women in the Law
“I define authenticity as the practice of consistently choosing to know, embrace, and be who we are as often as possible.” Ritu Bhasin is a global leadership and inclusion expert. Over the years, I’ve learned more about her work and have heard her speak on numerous occasions. I’ve developed a strong appreciation for her interesting and entrepreneurial career path, thought leadership, and dynamic presence. This blog post captures a conversation I had with her several months ago. Through this post, you’ll learn more about Ritu and her forthcoming book, The Authenticity Principle, which will be released on October 5, 2017.…
How to keep your cool while you wait for bar results
By Alexandra Echsner-Rasmussen • September 01, 2017 •Features, Advice on Passing the Bar Exam
There are approximately 1.3 million licensed lawyers in the United States (1). Take a moment and think about the fact that, except in a diploma state, each one of them studied, sat for, and waited for their bar exam results. While this might give you comfort or increase your anxiety, I hope it will give you peace of mind that you are not the only one having gone through this experience. On a personal note, I went through the process three times and each time I had to be patient, know that I did my best, fill my time with activities I…
What *exactly* is free speech under the 1st amendment?
By Ana Juneja • August 27, 2017 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence, Careers, Politics and Government, Issues, Features, Myths & Truths
Lately there's been a lot of legal buzzwords and buzz phrases thrown around in the news. Free speech, First Amendment, hate speech are just a few of these. This post will give an overview of the legal basics about free speech. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” But what does that actual…
“They is starting law school next week:” Gender-neutral pronouns are awkward at first but worth it.
By Shanti Brien • August 23, 2017 •Law School, Curriculum and Classroom Dynamics, Issues, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination, Features, Guest Bloggers and Profiles of Women in the Law
My Law and Public Policy class begins next week. But before we jump into reading cases and writing briefs we will introduce ourselves and share our preferred pronouns. I prefer “she/her/hers.” Every year I have two or three students who prefer “they/them/theirs.” At first I thought this was a ridiculous waste of everyone’s time. We have legislative processes to learn! Executive orders to scrutinize! But, I’ve come to appreciate the practice. It reminds me to be mindful of people unlike me and I hope it signals to the students that our class values inclusion. In 2015, the press was already…
The Benefits of Small Group Gatherings within the Legal Community for Women
By DiarraJoi ClemonsMcCullen • August 16, 2017 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Legal Academia, Other Career Issues, Law School, Choosing a Career and Landing a Job, Other Law School Issues, Issues, •Balancing Private and Professional Life, Mentoring and Networking, Women and Law in the Media, Features, Myths & Truths
Becoming a powerful female attorney or law school Juris Doctor of Law (J.D.) graduate in today’s grueling professional circle is no small feat for many in today’s society. May I first start out by applauding all of my fellow law school graduates and attorney groups for completing this perilous journey while many others failed or strayed too far from the path. Being a Ms. JD law school survivor or attorney in any city means you need to build and continue connections with people in the professional community at all times. Reach out with a phone call, text or social media…
A woman Lawyer for the Pantheon: Hommage to Simone Veil
By ilise feitshans • July 13, 2017 •Writers in Residence, Issues, Women and Law in the Media, Features, First Women, Superwomen JDs and What You Can Learn From Them
In many places of the world, saying that someone belongs in a Pantheon is an expression, meaning that the individual is great or special. In Paris, France, however, there really is a Pantheon. It is in the student district by the Sorbonne and in its rotunda there are the statues commemorating famous men. Few women, three to be precise, have been honored there among the men - until now. French society weeps the passing of a great lawyer who defended women’s rights; Holocaust survivor from the concentration camp in Drancy, France; mother of three; loving wife; Minister of Health for the Republic of France; and former President of…
Inspiring Women Human Rights Lawyers
By Amanda Chan • June 14, 2017 •Issues, Women and Law in the Media, Features, First Women, Superwomen JDs and What You Can Learn From Them
While Amal Clooney may dominate headlines for her fashion and much more importantly, her work in human rights and women’s rights, it is important for women lawyers--aspiring or practicing alike--to know about more of the many inspirational women human rights lawyers around the world. They have diverse experiences, and the paths they have taken serve as models for other women lawyers to follow and expand upon. Fatou Bensouda is the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in the Hague. She has been serving as the Prosecutor since 2012. She previously served as a deputy prosecutor in the ICC for eight…
Career Profiles: Janine Sickmeyer, NextChapter
By Nicole Moriniere • June 13, 2017 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Other Career Issues, Issues, Mentoring and Networking, Features, Guest Bloggers and Profiles of Women in the Law, First Women, •Superwomen JDs and What You Can Learn From Them
This month I had the opportunity to have an exchange with one of the ABA's 2017 Women of Legal, Janine Sickmeyer, the CEO & Founder of NextChapter, a web application for attorneys to prepare, manage and file bankruptcy cases online. As a business leader and entrepreneur, Janine provides strategic vision and direction for NextChapter and is particularly fascinated in the intersection between law and technology in the bankruptcy market. In addition to being selected as one of ABA's Legal Tech Resource Center's Women of Legal Tech 2017, Janine is also a Pledge 1% Women Who Lead of 2017. I had a few questions for…
So You Want to Be An International Lawyer: Fathers Can Be Lawyers too
By ilise feitshans • June 05, 2017 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Other Career Issues, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life, Mentoring and Networking, Features, Superwomen JDs and What You Can Learn From Them
My birthday is May 31, which this year is shavouot, a small holiday that celebrates the giving of the Torah to humanity on Mount Sinai. The holiday also is a time of great food, like cheesecake and ice cream and lots of singing and dancing... All perfect for a naturally occurring birthday party. In other years my birthday of May 31 has coincided with magnificent life events such as my law school graduation. And in other years, Memorial Day with big parades and barbecues in the USA and the opening of the outdoor swimming pool. My birthday is also a…