Women Litigators - Opinions from One Panel of Women Judges

Here is a May 3 article from The Legal Intelligencer about a panel discussion by women judges at the ABA's Women In Law Leadership Academy last week.

I don't agree with some of the opinions and generalizations about women litigators. Do you?

http://www.law.com/jsp/pa/PubArticlePA.jsp?id=1202457541933&Judges_Give_Perspective_On_Female_Litigators&hbxlogin=1&loginloop=o#

Be More Machiavellian, Less Altruistic?

This NY Times article considers how traits like Machiavellianism and aggressiveness may have a direct impact on compensation and play a role in pay disparities between genders.

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/26/do-nice-gals-finish-last/?src=me&ref=business

I don't advocate becoming Machiavellian but I do urge you to consider your own personality traits and strengths, and whether and how you can become a better advocate for yourself , regardless of your gender.

For example, I recently coached a lawyer client on how she always shines the light on other lawyers she works with and away from herself. As she talked about her preference to stay out of the light, she realized that by so doing, she actually reinforces for others and herself the impression that she is insignificant. Like other lawyers and other people, she is beginning to learn that appropriately sharing success stories does directly affect how others view her.

Try out a few different ways of projecting more of an image of success in the next few weeks and notice what happens. See if you notice a difference by June.

Associates: Who Do You See In the Mirror?

I coach a number of lawyers in the mid to senior associate category. Despite success as associates, they often realize that they still hold themselves back by thinking of themselves first as associates, rather than as lawyers or, more specifically, as someone's lawyer. This self image affects how they interact with more senior lawyers and partners, and with clients and potential clients. It also often influences how those people see them and treat them.

I've seen miraculous things start to happen when these associates make the conceptual shift to a bigger vision for themselves. I've seen it happening again this week. When they start to act more like lawyers than associates, they've started to receive more responsibility and get more respect. They've gotten better work. They've started developing ideas and working towards a focus in their practice. They're strengthening relationships with their colleagues and clients, and building relationships with potential clients.

When you step into a bigger vision for yourself, you start taking control of your career. What's there not to like about that?

I talked with another potential client in this demographic this week. I hope he looks in the mirror and sees what I see for him.