Women in Law

Those of you who left Big Law, what do you do now?

I was recently asked by a relative if I wanted to be added to a group chat to help plan her wedding that will be in two months. On top of the demands of my job, I am also in an intensive language clas… more

Newly single and newly on hinge. Early/mid thirties and looking for the real deal. Do I put “long term relationship” or “life partner” on the dating intentions piece? Not sure if life partner comes of… more

How long do you have to look for another job while getting iced out? I just returned form maternity leave for the second time (I broke it up as allowed per the law) and I was not given much work for t… more

Maternity leave is almost over. Thinking of leaving biglaw for a fully remote counsel role at a firm that’s at the bottom of the Am100. Bad move?

Does anyone know what (if any) fertility/IVF/egg freezing/adoption/surrogacy benefits any of the following firms offer: Cohen Ziffer, Elsberg, Holwell, Susman Godfrey, Friedman Kaplan? TIA!!

Has anyone here left a major market for a smaller market? I’m considering leaving Washington, DC Big Law for a boutique in Richmond, VA. I’ll be closer to my in laws (I love them) and I’m familiar wit… more

Throughout my career, the best mentors I have had have been middle aged white men with daughters. The worst partners I have had have been women and talking to friends it seems to be a common experienc… more

I took short term disability leave because my situation at work became untenable. In the middle I became pregnant for the first time. I’m 33 and my husband and I want to keep this pregnancy. I’m in my… more

CA maternity leave takers who took all four weeks of disability prior to your due date, are you glad you did? Any blowback from teams?

Has anyone taken a step back for a few years and then returned to big law? I am a senior associate with 2 kids (4 and 6) and I’m completely burned out. I want to take a year or two (or three) off to … more

Ladies - what’s your favorite t-shirt brand?

I'm at an elite boutique firm where promotion is based on merit and not year class, and am leaving for mat leave soon just when it's my first eligible year to get promoted (ie promotions get a… more

Has anyone heard about the Minneapolis Paid Leave? I’ve been trying to figure out how that would apply to a big law firm who has offices throughout different states. Would they offer the same amount (… more

If I ask HR about a policy is that confidential? Want to ask something about parental leave but don’t want others to know I am pregnant yet

Can I wear a suit with a cropped blazer to a trial in DE Chancery?

I’m having such a rough time dating (mainly online dating) and haven’t been in a relationship since law school. I’m a fourth year and I’m starting to feel really hopeless. How did you meet your partne… more

Are any of you married but choosing not to have children? I’m in my late 30s, and while my partner and I appreciate our friends who are parents and like children just fine, we know child rearing is no… more

Does anyone have thoughts about going on intermittent FMLA before having a baby? Last baby I had some late term pregnancy complications. I didn’t tell my firm, but when I came back from maternity leav… more

Law is a depressing profession, but I'd love to hear stories of positive things that came out of your legal career. It can be cheesy like meeting your spouse as well ☺️

First day back after mat leave was really tough

What to wear to first and second day of work? Obviously know to wear a suit first day but firm photo is second day. Wear a suit both days?

Anyone take leave for a month or so before giving birth? I didn’t for the first and it was terrible, wish I did. Curious how that process went for folks. I’m thankfully have a healthy pregnancy thus f… more

Anyone lateral, have a weak first year and still go on to be successful at the firm? I’m a senior associate who lateraled at 4 months pregnant. I struggled a lot bc of my pregnancy and bc the new firm… more

have any women in biglaw experienced lateraling during years 5/6/7 to a firm where they ultimately made partner? i’m interested in how hard it is to rebuild your reputation when you lateral as a mid/s… more

Had a hard year personally and feeling so exhausted. My billable year ends on Dec 31 and I’m feeling like I can’t make it until then, but can’t afford to take any days off. I actually need to bill lon… more

I made all of my lateral moves due to my husband’s WLB concerns. I’ve been at three biglaw firms and have been in-house for almost two years. Our daughters are school aged now and I want to return to … more

For women attorneys, how have you had the most success networking for BD? I need to start networking this year and professional network groups just do not excite me at all. Have you found any success … more

What would you do post-maternity leave? Continue working as a big law associate and move away from family and friends (due to RTO) or take a counsel position at a small local firm in a LCOL area. Six … more

How do you guys handle the anxiety of a new job? I’ve been at my new firm about 2 months but I’m still nervous all day, everyday and feeling like I’m going to get fired. I haven’t received much feedba… more

Hi, was hoping for a bit of guidance on the modus operandi of things.
Attended a panel at my university’s law school(in London, for context), heard from a very experienced associate who works in the f… more

Question for moms with 2+ kids. We have a 1 year old in daycare and the constant sicknesses and extra planning/prep (bottles, clothes, food, changes of clothes) has not been conducive to our biglaw c… more

Need advice after a tough deposition. I’ve been practicing 3 yrs, have some depo experience, but today was awful. I was defending against a horrible, lying, yelling, demeaning 75 year old male OC. He… more

Any recommendations for good stockings/pantyhose/tights, particularly ones that are durable, stretchy and thick thigh friendly?

Does Jones Day require 1 year before mat leave? Can anyone check?

Is 32 weeks pregnant too early to feel like it’s time to unofficially ramp down? I’ve had an uneventful pregnancy thankfully, but I’ve struggled with low iron levels and exhaustion. I just hit my mini… more

Hi all- question re prenups. I’m deeply in love with my partner and regularly think about marrying her. My own parents had a horrible protracted divorce so I’ve always wanted to have a prenup in order… more

Thoughts on realistic salary expectations for senior M&A attorney at a small firm (<50 attys) located in Texas? Billable requirement is 1,500. Atty has more than 15 years of full time experien… more

We had been planning to try for a baby in January. Obviously “plan” is a loose term but we were lucky enough to get pregnant the first month trying last time (I know it doesn’t mean it will work that … more