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“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 Twelve Year Old Girl Lawyer
By Brittany Raposa • August 07, 2017 •Issues, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
Has anyone noticed that when people want to call someone young, the standard age they refer to is twelve? I've noticed. I've noticed mainly because people always tell me I look twelve. I remember my first day ever going to court. I spent two hours just deciding what to wear to make myself look older. Some suits were too baggy and some heels were too high, but I eventually found an outfit that made me think, "okay, I think I can pass for at least twenty-one today." Well, I was wrong. I had a contentious custody hearing at the probate…_(1)-100x100.jpg)
Skirting the Ceiling: Standing Up to Gender Stereotypes
By Sydney Reed • August 05, 2017 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Other Career Issues, Issues, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination, Other Issues
This summer we’ve talked a lot about standing up to sexism in the workplace. As summer winds down, I have one last story to share. Not too long ago, I observed a trial in which the male defense attorney made the following remarks to the young victim on the stand, “Your least favorite subject is math, correct? I’ve always found that females, such as yourself, aren’t as good at math and are better at subjects like English. I know I was always better at math.” He then paused and waited for the victim’s response. Seated in the gallery, my jaw…
Tackling the Menace of Racial Discrimination at Workplace
By Merin Mathew • July 29, 2017 •Issues, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
An overseas job is not only well paying, but also opens many other avenues, not to mention a welcome change of environment and meeting new people. This is the reason why people from the third world countries, such as India, Pakistan, the Philippines, etc. flock to more advanced countries for jobs, whether it is the US or any European country or even Saudi Arabia. However, in some cases this golden dream soon turns sour, when racial or ethnic discrimination begins to make life difficult for the outsiders. The worst thing is that such discrimination may take overt or subtle forms.…
Washington State Family-Leave
By Brenda L. George • July 07, 2017 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence, Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Other Career Issues, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination, •Women and Law in the Media
The Seattle Times recently reported on a "revolutionary" law, one-decade in the making. Washington State is joining California, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C. in mandating employers pay workers' salaries while they take time off for the birth of a child. The Washington State law allows 12 weeks of leave at 90% of income (higher than any other state mandating the pay). This law, which has technically been on the books since 2007, is funded by weekly paycheck contributions from the employee and the employer and will take effect in 2020. I'm sure you can imagine how…
Skirting the Ceiling: Sexual Harassment and the Intern’s Dilemma
By Sydney Reed • July 04, 2017 •Writers in Residence, Law School, Internships and Clerkships, Issues, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine was asked out on a date by another intern at our office. She awkwardly and politely declined, and we laughed about it a little later because it was so unexpected. My friend asked me if I thought it would be weird at work for the two remaining weeks she had there. I said that I didn't think so, but that if it was, she could always explain to the guy that she just didn't think it was professional to date within the work place. Little did we know that the next…
The State of Mandatory Parental Leave Continuances
By Brittany N. O'Neil, Esq. • June 12, 2017 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Politics and Government, Other Career Issues, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination, Other Issues
At a minimum, attorneys must zealously represent clients. Likely driven by a genuine desire to ensure exceptional legal representation or simply today’s competitive legal market, striving to provide the best services possible often means going beyond the minimum requirement of zealous representation. To exceed this standard, attorneys are regularly on call or engaging in some type of work after hours. We often put aside our personal needs, such as physical health, and the personal needs of our family with the intention of helping our clients. However, the birth of a child is one example for which an attorney cannot ignore…
Skirting the Ceiling: Sweetiehoneybaby-That’s not my name
By Sydney Reed • June 04, 2017 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Politics and Government, Other Career Issues, Issues, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
Last month, we talked about making a positive first impression and how maintaining that impression can be key to building a respectable reputation in law, in court and at the office. This month we are going to focus on how to respond when others make sexist comments that could undermine that positive impression you worked to make and solid reputation you built. Two days into my new summer internship, I was reminded of an issue that I had read about just two weeks before the start of my 1L year, the use of sexist nicknames in court, when a young…
Gender Inequality In The Immigration Process
By Rebecca Harper • May 10, 2017 •Issues, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
The problems facing women in the legal profession are well documented, from problems with workplace discrimination to the ongoing debate around being a working parent. The question of whether women can have it all is frequently uttered, to the point where it has almost lost all meaning. As a female law student, I’ve seen this all too frequently. What I wear to court is more likely to be criticised or highlighted, and I often find myself the subject of unwanted attention in professional situations. It shouldn’t happen, but it does, and we all have our own coping mechanisms for not…