Women in Law

Anyone ever interviewed for a new position while pregnant and maternity leave coming up? How did it work out?

Anyone have a spouse that’s a pilot? My husband is thinking of becoming one and just curious about how that looked for you and how to balance everything

At what point should you withdraw from consideration for a position? Considering an in-house position and been through a few rounds of interviews. Have a few more coming up, but for a variety of facto… more

Has anyone used Rachel Clar as a coach? Thoughts?

Finding it impossible to date as corporate junior in NYC for a bunch of reasons. Anyone in the same boat?

The partner that I work closely with has a habit of asking me to do assistant tasks - saving docs to files, printing copies, etc. When I was a new associate, I didn’t push back on it. But now I am a 6… more

Do you still wear makeup to the office? I have a simple 10 min routine but was running late today and forgot to do it…now realizing maybe I don’t care? But wondering if I “should” do it still. Biglaw … more

I’m a fourth year in Big Law. I’ve been billing 2000+ hours annually since I started with the firm (first as a student and now as an associate). Over the last two years, my husband and I have been thr… more

I unfortunately cry in response to stress, which happens more often than I would like. Any tips to prevent it from happening? I have yet to cry during a hearing (knock on wood) but I have cried an emb… more

How are you guys handling client use of AI? I have received long, well-drafted emails from clients before that have made me wonder if AI was involved but a new client is sending me 15+ page AI documen… more

I’m a 9th year WOC in an all white male group. I’m happy with group and feel empowered and have received great mentorship. I have been working with a summer who is a young WOC. She’s brilliant and doe… more

HR scheduled a meeting with me tomorrow morning to discuss my hours and “getting on track.” How worried should I be? For context, I started at this biglaw firm about 6 months ago, and so far the work … more

Just put in notice to leave big law as a mid-level corporate associate for an in-house counsel role (product focus) at a large public company.
(1) anything that I should request from the firm (ie, billing reports… more

I went on vacation for a week. Came back to fires and things that should have been taken care of but weren’t. Going on vacation is necessary to prevent burn out but coming back to fires is awful. Woul… more

First time mom to a 5 month old who is still waking up 2-3 times a night. Commuting into the office 3x a week. I am physically spent and in total zombie mode, how on earth do women do this. And I’m no… more

Were there any resources or groups that you found helpful in navigating your return to work post-maternity leave? I know it’ll get easier but the degree to which I feel different to who I was pre-baby… more

I have upcoming depositions with a tremendously annoying OC (speaking objection, scoffing, eye rolling, argues about rules of evidence) any tips on how to get through them without losing my sanity/coo… more

There’s someone on my team who is just such negative vibes that I even avoid passing his office. I hate feeling like my mental health is dependent on one person. I’ve avoided working with him as much … more

Just found out I’m pregnant and due 4 weeks before a big trial I have speaking roles in… how early should I tell the partners on the case?

How do you prevent typos with a million things on your mind big law moms? My practice group is literally trying to fire me over it- these are occasional typos. I try to proof but am constantly dealing… more

Burnt out of my last role (IP / commercial licensing at one of the classic Silicon Valley firms) and starting a new role soon as a mid-level at a similar firm. Since I started my career I've had t… more

I've always wanted to practice a certain type of law. It was my focus in law school, I even received a certificate in it when I graduated. But I ended up doing other type of work at my firm. I jus… more

How worried should I be about low hours in the months leading up to mat leave in BigLaw? My firm’s policy expressly says it’s ok for hours to taper two weeks before leave, but all my bigger cases hav… more

I’m in big law in CA and currently pregnant and high risk. Anyone know if there is leave in CA (paid or unpaid) to allow me to go to doctors appointments? Mostly I want job protection and to prorate m… more

I’m a 6th year in litigation, and I have a toddler and a baby. I am on reduced hours now, but it still feels too unpredictable and unsustainable. I’ve been thinking about taking time off and doing fre… more

Looking for advice. Found myself (a mid level) across from a new grad associate, who’s been unprofessional (eg: keeps flexing like we’re same level, has been dishonest about work done, made comments t… more

Feeling heavy career guilt. Out of full-time law for a year after mental/physical health struggles, a miscarriage, and depression. Currently in IVF doing brutal PIO shots, and honestly grateful not to be wo… more

Has anyone brought a claim for pregnancy discrimination against a law firm and has it ever worked out?

Has anyone ever turned down an offer of partnership at their firm? Is there a tactful way to do it that doesn’t immediately signal to the firm that you’re planning to leave? Currently at a boutique li… more

Firm requires 60 days notice. Gave notice 2 weeks ago, trying to leave at the 4 week mark. Managing partner is essentially making me stay until they hire a replacement. New firm is getting antsy and recruiter che… more

For anyone who made the transition from a big law transactional practice to in house, did you leverage any connections internally at the firm to find your role? I am considering going in house and hav… more

How in the world can you do this job with kids? I have a 1 year old and my husband is also in biglaw. Today is a “holiday” so we don’t have childcare and emails are coming in like crazy for both of us… more

I am considering a career switch from my current firm role to a jd-preferred position. The catch…I am newly pregnant. Has anyone had success negotiating a day one maternity leave for this type of role… more

How to tell my remote job I am pregnant? Currently 17/18 weeks… work fully remote. We have an HR department. Should I just send one email to HR, my boss and my supervisor? Should also mention I just s… more

New attorney moms: does prestige really matter at this point? I feel a bit jealous when I see my former classmates do some pretty amazing things and really soar with their careers. It motivates me to … more

Any advice for how to give notice after returning from maternity leave? I recently received an offer for an in-house position with hours that will be much better for my family than my current big law … more

I was fired recently (unrelated to performance, right before a revenue milestone). Now a client claims a missed SOL. Sol was correct by my understanding and the client signed off on everything.
Former… more