Many minority women do not stay at a law firm because of exclusion, neglect, and overt harassment. Minority women feel that they are held to a different standard than everyone else, for example within the article it is explained that at one firm all the white employees had went to state law schools and all the minority associates had went to the top ten schools in the nation. It is explained that if you are a minority and you are not from one of the top ten schools then you are not in the same playing field as everyone else. Another woman of color stated she was always asked to attend functions and award ceremonies. She was also the first to be asked to speak to other students of color however she was never up for promotions or had any contact with higher attorneys like her male counterparts did. It is explained that often times minority, women lawyers lack opportunities and they are faced with more of a work load.
Like other women attorney’s they are faced with the fact that they are always being watched and criticized. Their attire is criticized because if they appear in outfits that hide their femininity then they are trying to be something they are not, but if they show of their femininity too much then their motives are questioned as well. Additionally, their credibility is not only questioned by clients, but also their employers. These conditions are reasons why these women do not stay at their firms. They lack opportunities to move up and they are faced with the fact that they will always make less money than their male counterparts. Women attorneys also lack mentorship so they have to figure out many things on their own unlike their male counterparts. They also lack in social networking because they are generally not given the same opportunities as their male counterparts.
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