Challenging the Perpetual Debate
By Kalo Kagathia • April 20, 2007 •Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
When it comes to preparing for job interviews, I can’t help but notice that the initial concern of many (if not most) women is “what do I wear?” This apparent concern with appearances often baffles men. I can recall asking a group of men what their advice on the matter might be - and they seemed concerned with my priorities and advised me to worry about the interview questions and other matters relating to the “substance” of the interview. While this is, or at least it should be what matters in an interview, I challenge you to show me someone…
After-hours harassment
By Curious • April 20, 2007 •Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
I am the only young female associate at a small firm and further not married. After work, maybe once a week or every 2 weeks the other associates (all male, married and about 7-10 years older than me) go out to a bar together. It felt so great to be included with that group and I jumped at the chance to go out with them. When we would go out though they would talk about completely disgusting and inappropriate stuff in front of me. I thought, hey, I am a "cool" girl and I really want to be included so…
Racism v. Sexism
By Karen Sosa • April 15, 2007 •Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
For the past week it has been impossible to visit a news website or to watch CNN or MSNBC for more than 5 minutes without some comment on the Don Imus affair. Referring to a group of 18-22 year old black women as "nappy-headed hos" is of course offensive, even from a so-called "shock jock". But offensive statements and overtones abound in popular media and culture. What about rap music? The few times I have actually read the lyrics to certain rap songs, I have been literally shocked and often disgusted by the things being said. I still listen to…
Networking No-Nos?
By Kalo Kagathia • April 15, 2007 •Other Career Issues
I recently saw this article (The Case of the Pushy Lady by Liz Ryan) headlining my yahoo homepage and must admit that I was a bit disappointed when I read it. I suppose it isn't anyone's fault but my own - the headline said something about "Networking No-Nos", it was silly of me to expect the how-to guide that I continue to seek when it comes to the skill of networking... The article pointed out some of the things I have grappled with in other posts here on Ms. JD - the problem of being too pushy in our networking…
Reality Check
By Kalo Kagathia • April 14, 2007 •Other Issues
Ms. Gail Cutter recently wrote a piece for the New York Law Journal/nylawyer.com called Career Coach: The Myths Of Ms. JD which I hope you will take a moment to read if you have not done so already. Ms. Cutter has eloquently put into words the reality of diversity initiatives in the legal profession - and the need to keep pushing rather than resigning ourselves to the "issue fatigue" that is blocking meaningful progress in many areas. We can't affect change without first admitting that what we're doing may not be enough. It is one thing to implement a program…
In Denial?
By Beth Bernstein • April 13, 2007 •Balancing Private and Professional Life
Last night I attended a panel discussion sponsored by a women’s organization at my law school. I thought this would be a great opportunity to meet women who had successfully navigated different legal career paths and perhaps even tell them a bit about Ms. JD. Unfortunately, I left the discussion with the strange feeling that everyone in the room but me was suffering from serious denial. When a partner of a large firm was asked about sexism in the firm, she denied knowledge of any such incidents, despite having been with the firm for more than ten years. I couldn’t…
Video of Judges Ikuta and Fletcher
By Judge Sandra Segal Ikuta • April 12, 2007 •Guest Bloggers and Profiles of Women in the Law
Click here to watch video of 9th Circuit judges Ikuta and Fletcher This post is cross-listed here
Video of Judges Fletcher and Ikuta
By Judge Betty B. Fletcher • April 12, 2007 •Guest Bloggers and Profiles of Women in the Law
Click here to watch video of 9th Circuit judges Ikuta and Fletcher This post is cross-listed here.
The Personal is Political (and Confusing)
By jessie kornberg • April 11, 2007 •Balancing Private and Professional Life
Boyfriend and I are both third year law students. For three job application rounds in a row (2 summers and a clerkship) Boyfriend’s stayed here where we go to law school, while I’ve taken a job elsewhere. Each time that’s made sense for me, and we’ve survived the temporary long distance. Each time, as luck would have it, Boyfriend has gotten his offer first and had to make a decision to stay before I had to make the decision to go. Each time the ball’s been in my court to decide between Boyfriend and my dream job. We’ve talked about…