There are unique challenges that we experience as young professionals regardless of our gender or the industry we work in. It is hard to ignore the fact, however, that young female professionals tend to face an additional level of adversity. After I personally faced countless gender-specific difficulties while working in the male-dominated industry of sports marketing, I chose to pursue a career in law to prove to myself that my voice and opinions matter.
I am fortunate to be an associate at a law firm that has been recognized for having percentages of diverse and female attorneys that are among the highest of any Pennsylvania law firm. But as I near the end of my first year as an associate and reflect on my experiences over that time with opposing counsel and the legal community generally, I can’t help but feel that junior female associates still have a ways to go before they’re viewed by older male attorneys and professionals as their peers.
I faced three challenges this past year that brought this problem into focus.
Male opposing counsel often underestimate my abilities as an attorney
It is no secret that seasoned attorneys like to remind us junior attorneys how much they know and how much they have learned over the years. But those reminders have a different tone when they are coming from male opposing counsel who not-so-subtly call me out for my age and time in practice—without knowing anything about me or my abilities—by saying things like “well, way before you started practicing . . . .”
It would be bad enough if opposing counsel said things like “if you could check with [my supervising attorney]” or “you are probably not as familiar with the file, so . . . .” to me in private. But they have said those things to me in front of my clients and judges, falsely creating an impression that I am not prepared or equipped to handle my client’s matter before I have a chance to prove otherwise. That is unacceptable.
As frustrating and cringeworthy as it is when it happens, these subtle and not-so-subtle insults are an effective motivator. Opposing counsel’s doubt has only encouraged me to work harder and prepare more so that I can make their underestimation of me come at the expense of a favorable outcome for their client.
People are quick to presume I am not an attorney
While male opposing counsel often doubt my abilities as an attorney, others automatically presume I am not an attorney.
I have been mistaken for a court reporter. Even after I have introduced myself to opposing counsel as the claimant’s counsel, that same attorney has said “we are still waiting on claimant’s counsel.”
I have been in conversations at events where, despite speaking at length about my experience, I am asked what I do. After I, again, explain that I’m a workers’ compensation attorney, the reactions are often along the lines of “I thought you were a paralegal or intern.”
Some people clearly feel bad after they learn they were too quick to presume. Others act like I should take their ignorance as a compliment because I “look so young.”
The most disappointing aspect of these interactions is the change in tone of conversation. It is as if I deserved less respect if I was a paralegal or intern. This is not ok. Every woman in the legal field deserves the same level of respect, regardless of their position or experience. All women deserve the same level of respect.
It is rare to be surrounded by other young female attorneys at professional events
As I mentioned above, I am proud to work at a firm that has a diverse group of impressive attorneys. And, there is a significant female presence within the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation bar. However, I still frequently find myself being one of the few women, if not the only woman, at certain work-related events or gatherings, especially since our field overlaps with the medical field. That makes for awkward conversations with people I have little in common with aside from specializing in workers’ compensation law and standing in the same room with them at that moment.
When there are women around, they usually are not junior associates. While it is nice to speak with other women at professional social gatherings, it is not the same as being able to chat with people struggling with the same professional challenges that I, a junior female associate, am struggling with. Though there may be informal mentoring opportunities that arise when female associates of all ages and experience levels connect at events, without more junior female attorneys regularly attending these events, it is difficult for us to build a support network of similarly situated peers—which is a vital asset when you’re a junior attorney trying to adjust to the practice and business of law and set yourself up for a long, fulfilling legal career.
Making progress, one interaction at a time
Over the last year, the three challenges above have taught me that junior female associates need junior female associates. We need to lean on each other, and we need to discuss our shared experiences with one another so we can learn how to handle, and hopefully one day fix, the situations we too often find ourselves in because of our gender and our experience levels.
I will forever remember one particular moment. I called a female doctor to prepare for a deposition. The doctor’s immediate reaction when she heard my voice was “Ah! You are a woman! This is so awesome!”
There is quite a lot to unpack from that reaction. She was obviously used to dealing with male attorneys; she is one of few female doctors I have worked with or against. But what stood out to me was how confident we both felt in that moment; in ourselves, in each other. She didn’t question my age or my ability. And there was not a second I questioned hers.
Perhaps one day soon, our interaction will be the norm and not the exception.
Taylor Trusky is a workers’ compensation associate at Pond Lehocky Giordano LLP, the largest workers’ compensation and social security disability law firm in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the U.S. She can be reached at ttrusky@pondlehocky.com.
Reprinted with permission from the July 11, 2024 edition of The Legal Intelligencer © 2024 ALM Media Properties, LLC. All rights reserved. Further duplication without permission is prohibited, contact 877-257-3382 or reprints@alm.com.
