JESSICA FORREST, ESQ. Have you faced gender biases in the legal profession? If so, how have you overcome them? I have more than one time been mistaken for the client or the court reporter – typically by older male attorneys. I try to pass it off with humor and remind myself that the more my opponent underestimates me, the greater their risk. There are also subtle biases that women face, such as being called “honey,” or being the default “note-taker” in meetings and “party-planner” in the office. We don’t often comment on men’s clothing, but I have heard my fair share of comments about my clothes.
POSTMODERN PAINTING. Stella alternately paints in oil and watercolor
When I practiced at a small firm, I noticed being steered into default gender roles more often that I experience that now. It takes some tact to draw boundaries and ask that someone else take on those tasks. Although I do not have children, I have heard women describe their experience as being expected to work like they don’t have children and expected to raise children like they are not working. There are a lot of “unspoken” expectations and pressures on women in every workplace – the best way to overcome them is to recognize them and then respond the way a man would – take that vacation or day off! Don’t apologize for it! continued...