As attorneys of color, what traumas do you think are unique to us?

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Being mistaken as the assistant.

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Never being 100% sure how much racism has impacted your career trajectory and having an idea about that all the signs and research would suggest that it definitely has but not being quite sure just how much.

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For those of us who have unusual names, people constantly mispronouncing or not even trying to get our names right.

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This is the most frustrating one for me. 🤦🏾‍♂️

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Seeing everyone else in the group clicking or socializing outside the office and wondering is it bias or do they just not like your personality

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Bias could be as simple as "oh I feel slightly less comfortable around this person who doesn't look like me because I don't know if we have common experiences and I'm slightly more comfortable around this person who does look like me because I assume we have common experiences"

These people don't even know me well enough not to like me because of my personality, but I see them acting like themselves around eachother and I know I don't like that 🤪

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The micro gaslighting when white people (especially white women) think they know of or try to relate to your experience. I had a "career coach" at my prior firm try and give me "advice" without asking me anything about myself. It amounted to - "be like everyone else." I felt silenced and just hurt that every instance of me feeling and being other for my whole life was overlooked, solved by a simple phrase. She had no idea the meaning behind her statement. And even worse, she never tried to understand.

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Wow. So sorry to hear this.

For me, as a brown woman—Being included in proposals bc all the other attorneys are white and then not actually working on the case when we get the matter. Being mistaken as the paralegal or secretary when I go court hearings or depositions. Mispronouncing my name after being correct multiple times (or asking if they can give me a white sounding nickname, no the fuck u can’t sir). Constantly being “complimented” on how “exotic” I look (yes, attorneys still do this)

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Damn yo, people are so ignorant

AAPI issues being overlooked because we are the "model minority." Also pitting diverse communities against each other like this is the oppression Olympics.

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That's a leap

I think lumping all POC together is not the best route to take.

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that’s fair and a good perspective

Being told we have to work twice as hard for half as much.

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Also it being assumed that you got to where you because of “affirmative action” and not because of merit.
And second guessing yourself as to why you got where you are.

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As a black woman who is a managing attorney, I find it traumatic to constantly be undermined by White subordinates who then try to suggest that “water ain’t wet” when confronted. Another trauma, watching a White underperforming and badly behaved peer get rescued and promoted while knowing that if I did 1% of what they did, I’d be fired.

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Yes. Yes. Yes.

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As a Black woman attorney, dealing with racial and gender stereotypes have been traumatizing. I'm overtalked if I don't speak up (ie. woman are ignored). When I speak up or with more assertiveness, then I need to calm down (ie. Black people are aggressive / Black women are angry).

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Always having to be called on as the black one and sharing the bs diversity and inclusion crap everyone’s doing now. I obviously know that I’m black, diversity and inclusion should be for white people, not us.

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Not having supervisors or coworkers that look like you.

I’ve had two Asian female coworkers, and we got along so well. It could be a few different reasons, but the two that stick out the most are that we either had shared life experiences that helped us relate to each other, or that they were comfortable interacting with another Asian.

It made me realize how some of my white coworkers are just straight up uncomfortable with me, and how much of an easier work experience white people have with other white coworkers/supervisors due to their shared life (white cultural) experiences too. And how that ease and familiarity leads to better assignments, more favor when promotions come up, etc… it touches all facets of a career

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People assuming I want to talk sports or my children play sports because we are black - even though my children are under the age of 6 and their favorite activities are reading and writing...

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I don't know if it's just my personality, but I feel like people are much quicker to push back on or dismiss any suggestions I make.

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Always having to be the diversity representative.

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Every time I’ve stood up for myself at work, Im the one who gets in trouble (even though I’m pointing out how I’m getting treated unfairly, somehow the blame gets shifted onto me).

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"Trauma" is a bit hyperbolic. This is not to say that micro and macro aggressions don't happen in this white centric career of ours but not everything rises to the level of "trauma".

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Some judges would have implicit or unintentional racial bias against us. Another is that a woman like myself would have a hard time getting the chance to become an associate in a large law firm.

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Related Posts

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Hii guys..

Who else is joining on 8th August in
SAP Labs gurgaon??
Let's meet..✌🏻🤘🏻

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which agencies are going through layoffs right now? any hiring?

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Evoke + Ashfield merger 👀

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Looking for a new social media role in Los Angeles. Open to agency or client side. 5+ years entertainment experience here.

Is internal audit easier to understand than external audit? I want to switch into internal audit but I’m unsure if my salary will change or if the learning curve is completely different

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Looking out for senior tech or mgmt roles in Oracle ERP fusion/EBS finance space?
Anyone knows abt openings in product based orgs in Hyd?

Hello Fishes,

I'm currently looking for opportunities commensurate with my experience. I am a fellow member of ICSI with over 13 years of experience in corporate and secretarial matters. Having worked in Merchant Banking Companies, I have independently handled and executed assignments like IPOs, Rights Issue, Takeovers, Buy Backs etc.

Any referrals or leads would be highly appreciated.

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Anyone studying toward the CIPM have any tips or study resources? Particularly those with a legal background working in privacy and regulatory compliance (non-IT cybersec). Would be delighted to connect. TIA ⭐

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Is cafeteria available at deloitte tower 1. espicially lunch ?. How good it is ?

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Anyone know about deloitte’s post merger integration group? Is it like M&A tax?

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How much is coforge offering for yoe 6 java developer?

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So I work as an assistant manager at a restaurant for the past 9 months. I've worked in restaurants for the past 6 years science I was 16. Now I'm 22. I went to a trade school for media and film. I got a dream opportunity to work in the field making about the same or 10% more. I told myself the only reason I'd leave this company is for this type of job. Should I take the chance at this job and leave the restaurant that is on the rise and growing?

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When you're on production / lose all self control / eat everything craft services feeds you and you're positive you've gained a minimum of 10lbs.

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I was supposed to have my second interview at Raytheon Technologies Corporation. I got an email three min before saying that they had a surprise fire drill and they had to evacuate the building and they needed to reschedule for next week. Do I need to to wait for them to reach back out or can touch base with them tomorrow? I don’t want to be obnoxious. 😅

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What days does Onboarding happen at Accenture ? Is it every day or on any specific day like Monday ?

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Additional Posts in Attorneys of Color

I saw that Orrick had an Attorney's of Color retreat in New York. Does anyone work there who can speak on how it was? If not, is there a retreat/coalition/group for Attorney's of Color at your firm?

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Anybody just think fuck it and want to move back to their parents home country?

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did y'all listen to SCOTUS oral arguments today about ending affirmative action?

it was super triggering listening to white conservatives and Clarence say that diversity does not matter.

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Did the post about "straight Asian men" get deleted? Left the room to make popcorn and returned to find it gone.

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Can y’all define “ big law”? I do residential transactional closings for residential buy/sell, leases and business transactions. How do I get into “big law” with my related experience?

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Does any other attorney POC feel like they have to live double lives? I’m guilty of trying to “blend in” with my white team members. I wish I could be myself (at least to an extent) and not fake it.

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Morgan Lewis: what was the thought process behind your LI post for AAPI month? You look like you have 5 Asians (only) and you trotted them out for your website. What on earth were you thinking? I feel bad for the 5 Asians who agreed to be the poster children/tokens for this.

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How do you respond to someone whose response to the recent rise in anti AAPI hate/rhetoric is “I don’t know anyone who dislikes Asians”, “everyone is racist”, “racism isn’t evil, it’s ignorance and biology” in a way that’s neutral and educational?

I’m at the point where I don’t really care to engage but also don’t want to remain silent.

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Anybody look into making a career pivot into program management?
Or really, anything???? Anything besides law???
Thanks

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Lawyers and Brunch in NYC sounds like a winning combination. On Juneteenth just puts the icing on the cake. Brunchin’ Lawyers gonna be a vibe. Anyone else going? Should be a good time to get away from the office and connect with other attorneys of color.

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Any black solos here that concentrate in commercial real estate? Or who had a commercial real estate background but went solo in a different practice area? I’m considering this move and would welcome your insight.

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Am I the only one who hates DEIA seminars facilitated by an older white men?? I’m not saying they aren’t or can’t be knowledge on the topic. But don’t they see the irony in being the one to present this to diverse audiences? This one guy mentioned how “some voices” in society have historically elevated above “others.” Like yea dude, you talkin abt YOU. White men continue to be over represented in leadership, government, and all positions of power in this country.

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Does working for Partners (particularly Boomers) of your respective ethnicity or diversity demographic feel like the ultimate haze? Do you feel like they haze you worse than your non-diverse peers?

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Anyone else see the CT Supreme Court Justice’s response to Justice Thomas not referencing Loving v. Virginia in his concurrence? Cringe. Like, I get your point, but don’t stoop to his level.

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Second week in Insurance Defense - I am set to bill 40 hours on a single motion for summary judgment. Taking too much time?

A clerical staff member brought me coffee and asked if I wanted sugar or milk, I said no, I take my coffee black and she said, “GOOD BECAUSE YOU’RE BLACK”!!!! Yoo like wtf. What’s up with the casual racism? This woman hates black people i swear! And no she is not white. 🤦🏾‍♀️

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Chicago attorneys: know anyone who does financial planning for those in big law? 1st gen attorney and I admit I know damn near nothing about my finances beyond what my mom taught me which is keep a $20 in my wallet.

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Has anyone here worked for United Wholesale Mortgage? The reviews on Indeed paint the company in a bad light. I am starting the interview process. I would like to know if it’s worth it…

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I made partner!!!!!! We know the statistics - less than 1% of partners at major law firms are black women. But listen, sky’s the limit — we shaking the table and taking all that we deserve!!!!

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