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Join Ms. JD’s Global Education Fund Program!
By Danielle Allison • April 22, 2018 •Ms. JD, Careers, Nonprofits and the Public Interest, Law School, Other Law School Issues, Issues, Other Issues
Interested in women’s issues, international development, fundraising and education? If yes, consider supporting us as our next part-time, unpaid, Global Education Fund program volunteer! Ms. JD created the Global Education Fund (“GEF”) to enable women in developing countries who otherwise would not have access to further education pursue a legal education. Each year, GEF has made it possible for two Ugandan women in each class year to pursue their dreams of becoming lawyers by attending the law program at Makerere University in Uganda. The part-time and unpaid Global Education Fund program volunteer will be responsible for: Helping to lead outreach and program development…
Five Small Ways You Can Combat the Motherhood Penalty
By Amanda Norris Ames • August 20, 2018 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Other Career Issues, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life, Mentoring and Networking, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
The ABA recently released research from its inquiry into why women leave the law. The study revealed issues all too familiar to many practicing female attorneys--discrimination, salary dissatisfaction, caregiving responsibilities that are incompatible with the pace of practice. And while the ABA’s efforts are ongoing, I was surprised to see a lack of focus on what numerous other studies have dubbed the “motherhood penalty”--or the earnings (and corresponding promotion) gap between mothers and non-parents in the workplace. Research shows a significant decline in a woman's earnings after the birth of her first child, with that disparity continuing throughout her career.…
Joint Journeys to Making an Impact on Women in the Law: Mentorship & Colleagues Inspiring Each Other
By Molly Brummond • August 20, 2018 •Issues, Mentoring and Networking
By Molly Brummond, Assistant Dean for External Relations and Strategic Initiatives, And Elsbeth Magilton, Executive Director of the Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program University of Nebraska, College of Law Mentorship takes many forms, not the least of which is collaboration. This article, co-written from individual perspectives by two female attorneys in higher education leadership, boils down to the importance of finding role models who inspire us, mentors who support us, and friends who are capable of saying, “muscle up, buttercup.” Elsbeth Magilton A few years back my mentor and colleague, Molly Brummond, and I attended a “Women’s Conference”…
5 Ways To Bond With Your Law Firm Coworkers
By Dennis Hung • August 15, 2018 •Careers, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life
Whether finding a new job or being moved through an acquisition, the process of starting anew is always met with some anxiety and anticipation. There are new people to meet, different workflows to learn, and a new work environment to get accustomed to. To help ease this transition, here are five ways to bond with your coworkers. 1. Talk New employees often make the mistake of laying low and keeping quiet for the first few months. The desire to go unnoticed and blend-in is strong when starting a new job. Whether it’s a fear of confrontation or making a…
Women in the Legal Field & the #MeToo Conversation
By Jennifer Hemmer • August 14, 2018 •Issues, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
Regardless of a woman’s age, race, location, career or economic status, most have either experienced sexual harassment first-hand or know of someone who has. With the numerous allegations made in the past year against Harvey Weinstein and dozens of other powerful figures in Hollywood, the media and politics, and the explosion of the #MeToo movement, the prevalence of sexual harassment in American society has never been more exposed than it is right now. There has not been a formal study conducted on sexual harassment specifically in the legal field, until now. Lauren Stiller Rikleen, founder and President of the Rikleen Institute for…
Interview with Recent Grad Alexa Galloway - On the Field: Women in Sports Law
By Tatum Wheeler • August 09, 2018 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Law School, Internships and Clerkships, Issues, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination, Women and Law in the Media
I’m delighted to introduce Alexa Galloway, a recent graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law and former Law School Toolbox author. A former Cape Cod Baseball League field reporter, Alexa most recently worked as a Legal Intern for Santa Clara University Athletics. Hey, Alexa! Thanks for joining us. First and foremost, congratulations on finishing law school! What are your short-term and long-term goals? Alexa: Well, my short, short-term goal is to pass the bar. Following that, I hope to work in civil litigation and get as much trial experience as possible. By attending conferences and speaking with attorneys in the…
Obtaining Accommodations at Your New Law Job
By Katherine Macfarlane • July 29, 2018 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
Now that the bar is over, many of you will soon head off to your first post-law school job. Congratulations! You’ll be making choices about healthcare, retirement savings and life insurance. If you’re disabled, it’s never too soon to start thinking about the accommodations you’ll need to work efficiently. What follows are some tips to help ensure that your accommodations are in place as soon as you need them. Don’t Wait to Ask for Accommodations To qualify for reasonable accommodations at a new workplace, you’ll often be required to fill out a stack of paperwork and obtain medical documentation of…
Friend or Foe? Technology in Our Everyday Lives: Smart Homes
By Keisha M. McClellan • July 28, 2018 •Writers in Residence, Issues, Other Issues
Innovations in camera technologies are wildly popular these days for convenience and amusement. For example, wired internet-of-things homes may use baby monitors and security systems with cameras that can be accessed remotely. Even pet cameras are increasingly popular because the products offer a pet’s view of the world while home without you. But despite the novelty and usefulness of connected cameras, these devices can also threaten personal privacy. "As the number of connected gadgets around your home increases, so do your chances of getting hacked.” To this point, everything from home security cameras to webcams can be compromised. “After all, Facebook founder Mark…
Plant Seeds to Make It Rain: 5 Things New Lawyers Can Do to Begin Developing Business
By Claire Parsons • July 26, 2018 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence, Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Issues, Mentoring and Networking
When I was a new attorney, I knew that I needed to develop business in order to advance in my firm. I had a lot of anxiety about that at the beginning because there was no well-marked path that I could take to make it work. This is not surprising since even established rainmakers will tell you that new business development is hard work,and studies keep coming out suggesting that female attorneys struggle even more than their male counterparts with it. It was a happy accident for me that my dad went back to private practice…