Women in Law

I’m thinking of switching fields, maybe defense-side employment. I’m getting tired of workers’ compensation. Any advice?

Hi ladies, I received a job offer in a niche practice area that I really want to get back into. I’m ten years out and have a bit of a jumpy resume and I’ve been job hunting while employed since June. … more

Ladies who commute, I need some advice. I wake up at 5:45am to make a 7:22am train & rush out at 5pm to catch a 5:22pm that gets me home at 6:45pm, where I sneak in a final bottle with my 7m old d… more

First week back from maternity leave and I feel like literally no one wants to work with me. Maybe I’m just being paranoid but would be curious if anyone has had that experience in big law

Realized recently that there are zero female equity partners in my practice group with kids (there are two female associates and one or two income partners with kids). Virtually every single male equi… more

Quit firm for burnout, took 3 months off, went in-house thinking it’d help. Good job, better balance, but same burnout. Anyone else feel like even in-house didn’t ultimately “fix” anything?

35 weeks pregnant and I just cant do it. As a mid-level, Ive never been unable to work. Even my 1st trimester, I was billing normally despite being sick and i am 200 hours over my target this year whi… more

Imagine being a lawyer and trying to help your fiance navigate an allegation that he fathered a child with his ex about 3 years ago. He knew she was pregnant during their on and off relationship but t… more

I’m currently on leave from a toxic group with abusive partners. My original plan was to stay at my current firm just long enough to take maternity leave, then move on after.
But while on leave, I started jo… more

Anyone aware of a Biglaw or Mid-size or boutique firm where there is actual female partner leadership in a patent litigation group? Feeling stuck in a boys club environment at current firm, but not s… more

Hi ladies - I’ve basically been put on a PIP and expect to be let go by the end of the year. I’m starting outreach to recruiters. Any advice as to why I should say I’m looking for a new position? Do t… more

I went part time earlier this year after having my first baby at the end of 2024 and recently found out that I’ve been passed over for promotion to partner for 2026 (a male colleague who generally off… more

Struggling to budget housing in a VHCOL with a baby on the way. On one hand, if we stretch a bit I can live closer to the office, which makes it more likely I last in Biglaw (5th year with strong revi… more

How often do you update your website headshot? I know I don’t look the same and have a very different hair color in mine from ~5 years ago. I think it might confuse people sometimes but don’t want to … more

I feel so stupid to be so upset about this but I just lateraled and I hate my new firm bio photo. Like completely hate it, I don’t even look like myself. I was able to look at some of them beforehand but they wer… more

Have I fucked up with my mentor?
This amazing lawyer has been mentoring me for a year now and helping me in my job search for the past few months. Super responsive, huge network in our field, always th… more

Any experience with Hinshaw and Culbertson- Miami office (specifically maternity leave)?

Newly pregnant ladies in their first trimester: how on earth are you doing it? I have never been more exhausted and unable to focus in my life. All the changes to my body are also super uncomfortable.… more

So confused and depressed. Was laid off from my firm but have time till the end of November to find a new role. I had few good interviews and am expecting an offer to come through but I really don’t w… more

I started a new job and I’m struggling. I don’t feel as productive as I feel I should be. Projects are taking me longer than they should because their templates and systems are new to me. I’m having t… more

Heading into my last 2 weeks of work before maternity leave. For those who’ve gone on maternity leave, how many hours did you bill in the last few weeks and what was expected? I’m getting mixed messag… more

What are some online schools for real estate CLEs and certificates? Have a $5K stipend I need to spend before Dec 31st. Please suggest places where I can find courses on real estate (finance, complian… more

How long did you work up up to giving birth? I can take up to four weeks for disability, any reason not to take all of it?

Has anyone ever decided to simply avoid reading annual reviews?

Feeling burned out as solo in-house counsel at a company around 500 people. We have external counsel to help with some things, but I’m still so drained. Tired of the pushback, questioning, and legal j… more

Should I throw my extra money at my student loans (avg interest just under 6% for federal loans, 200k loans), brokerage account (portfolio YTD earnings 17%, total 23%), or HYSA (have ~$50,000 there, s… more

Is it just impossible to have small children and be in corporate America rn? I’m feeling pressure to have an increased “in office presence” and work longer hours in the office. I have a small child an… more

Counsel - what is your comp and hours like? There is a lot of information about partnership at the firm I work but hardly any about going the counsel route. Midwest mid-size to big law firm.

Has anyone ever done Ayahuasca meditation or something similar? What was your experience like?

Is it actually possible to come back into the workforce if you take off a few years to raise your kids? I dream about it. I’m currently mid level lit in big law (v20). Have a toddler and one on the wa… more

Help! I’m going to be 5.5 months pregnant when I have a two week trial!! Can someone please recommend a place where I can find trial appropriate clothes that are bump friendly? Thanks!

Work in an AM200 law firm. Mid level associate and have been thinking about more WLB. I have little kids and want to be more present and not needing to log back in at night or work weekends. I do enjo… more

I have a 12 month old. I went on a reduced billable requirement this year because of that, but it’s become irrelevant because my workload has been so heavy. Between the baby and workload, I’m overexte… more

Has anyone done a clerkship mid career? I did private practice about 7 years and have had a federal career clerkship for the past 5. However, the lack of growth opportunities and flexibility is starti… more

I have a 16 month old. In late October and early November, I have 2 work trips that are overnights. I'll be away from my child 3 nights and 2 nights respectively. I can't help but feel really … more

Has anyone transitioned to a Practice Support Attorney role in a law firm? Currently in house but tired of the corporate environment and looking for something new.

Help! A client event that said “dress comfortable” and is outside in 80ish degree. What should I wear? Can I wear like black jeans and long sleeve top?

When does the postpartum brain fog lift? I feel like I’m staring at my screen and my brain isn’t working

I’m working for a partner who is a former GC at a major company (25 yrs). I want to eventually go in-house. How do I leverage this connection to get an in-house connection tactfully?