Blog # 27

The legal profession is still a male dominant profession and women experience hardships within the field. For example, women lawyers are constantly under skepticism from everyone. Only about 30% of lawyers are women which leaves 70% to be males. Women lawyers typically make about 73% of their male counterpart salary and women are less likely to be mentored. Additionally women are faced with the negative perceptions and stereotypes that have been placed on us, as well as they lack access to social networks and they lack opportunities because they are mostly given to men. A woman’s credibility is always being questioned as well. Even if she has graduated from the most prestigious law school and has great references she is questioned. Additionally, a woman is under a constant watch and she is criticized for her appearance. For example, if a woman dresses in clothing that shows off her femininity then her credibility is questioned because it would seem she would need her sexuality to work positively for her because she does not have the skills to do it without her sexual appeal. However, on the other hand, if she wears clothing that conceals her femininity than she is criticized for trying to be to masculine and not being true to herself. It is almost as if the woman needs to be sexy and neat but not too sexy because then she will lack in credibility and she needs to be gentle and nurturing, but she also needs to be assertive and controlling. It is as if women have to work twice as hard to prove themselves than their male counterparts.

There are also gender stereotypes that often have an effect. For example men are known to be assertive and action oriented as to where women are communal, trusting, and nurturing. This is problematic because these stereotypes can be thrown in a woman’s face while in the courtroom by male lawyers. For example, in the past all lawyers have been assertive and dominant because all lawyers in the past were males. This is problematic because many people are more willing to accept what males say over what females say. I mentioned this in a previous post because this could be an issue in the courtroom, because even if the woman has all the evidence to prove her case, a male can state that she is wrong and many people would question her credibility.