Federalists v. women?
By Yes, Virginia • February 20, 2007
While not reading for class tomorrow I came across this post at Feminist Law Professors, pointing out the lack of women in the Federalist Society’s 2007 Student Symposium. My count confirms that out of 19 panelists, 16 are men and 3 are women; of 6 moderators, 5 are men. Needless to say, the keynote speaker is a man. As my original source pointedly points out, the Federalists’ counterpoint, the American Constitutional Society, had much better numbers at their 2006 symposium. (I’ll admit I didn’t count, because there were many more speakers, but informally looking at the brochure reveals at least…
Bye-bye Buchanan, Hello Brown Stone Nimeroff
By Legal Eagle • February 20, 2007 •Firms and the Private Sector
News from Philadelphia: three female partners quit to launch their own firm. "[Founding partner Antoinette R. Stone] said as a woman-owned business, the firm will work to obtain opportunities given to women and minority-owned firms by the city and other organizations." Read more at New York Lawyer (free site registration required).
An Open Call for Commentary
By Anna Nelson • February 20, 2007 •Other Issues
As one of the people helping build this Ms. JD website, I have been getting thoughtful, intelligent emails asking us to more prominently feature and foster women of color, lesbians, and other minorities who face distinct challenges in the legal profession. Ms. JD was founded by women of several ethnicities, sexualities, and experiences. But not all of us are bloggers. Speaking only for myself, I say to readers who want to hear--and see--more from not-white, not-straight women in law: post here! Refer colleagues and classmates. Share thoughts, start conversations. Make this place yours. About the Author Anna Lorien Nelson is…
First Women: Herma Hill Kay
By Herma Hill Kay • February 20, 2007 •First Women
Editor's Note: As part of Ms. JD's 5th Birthday celebration, we'll be looking back at our favorite posts over the years. In February 2007, we were honored to receive this submission from Herma Hill Kay, professor and former dean of Berkeley Law/Boalt Hall. I’m delighted to join this wonderfully creative new venture, and to be part of the “First Women Lawyers” series. I am particularly interested because my own current research project is devoted to telling the story of the entry of women professors into the previously all-male law school world during the twentieth century. I’ll say more about that…
Book ToDo: The Undomestic Goddess
By K Hernan • February 19, 2007 •Balancing Private and Professional Life
Okay, so I'm calling this a "ToDo" instead of a "Review". First, I don't want to seem too serious about this. I'm no literary critic. Heck, I don't even read that much besides my law school textbooks these days. Second, I don't get any benefit from writing this ToDo. I had to purchase the book like anyone else but you could probably check it out from the library. Summer is approaching so I thought I'd pass on a fun book that I read last summer and thoroughly enjoyed. The book: The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella I read this during…
Parallel Networking
By Kalo Kagathia • February 15, 2007 •Mentoring and Networking
I have been thinking about Alex Janus' post on networking (found here) and wanted to share a few thoughts and observations that have recently developed as a result of my curious googling. As I have said before, I am not only uncomfortable with networking - I don't really know how to go about acquiring the skill of networking either. I suspect that this is one of those things that you have to develop by observing and emulating those who do it well. There are many resources on the internet, and while these are helpful, they are only a start. We…
Defending My Law Firm Job
By LAC • February 14, 2007 •Firms and the Private Sector
The other day, I was sitting with a few friends of mine. One is a 3L in law school, currently working at the public defender’s office, but the others are not in the legal profession. We were joking around about what it would be like to defend criminals, and as that discussion came to a close, one of the girls said to me, so, still planning on going into corporate law? I told her that, yes, I had a law firm job lined up. Another girl immediately began going on about how miserable her friend who currently works at a…
I am your biggest fan
By psinglet • February 14, 2007
I am not a woman. I do not no what it is like to be a female practicing or studying law; however, I do want to share my feelings with my female counterparts. There is something about me that she needs to know. On the surface, she and I have nothing in common. She and her friends have the option of putting their hair up or leaving it down. I have one style—bald. They have the choice of wearing the skirt suit or the pant suit. I have always chosen the latter. During finals few of them chose to shave…
Because We Can
By Anonymous • February 11, 2007 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector
So often the question is asked- why do so many women leave big law firms in droves? Why don’t they stick around and make partner? Are they being forced out? The answer to that question seems like a simple yes when we look at the numbers. Why else would women be leaving at these rates from prestigious high-paying jobs? After considering this, however, I came to a different conclusion. Maybe women don’t leave law firms because we have to- maybe we leave because we can. Let’s face it- BigLaw is known for being its high salaries- but also its ridiculous…