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My firm just had an all affinity group retreat and the attorneys I know who went enjoyed it. My firm also gives billable credit for DEI work so it doesn’t feel like a loss.
We get 50 hours for DEI but it’s not part of the same pool as anything else - so you can get 50 hours for pro bono and 50 hours for DEI.
It seems like this retreat could be an opportunity for you to bring up how these events impact your billable time. And also, discuss the firm’s actual DEI goals and their actions. Are they doing things to help hire/retain diverse associates and ensure they’re promoted appropriately? If there are no issues being addressed then the retreat may not be worth it. But you won’t know if you don’t go. You also can’t give your input on the value of such outings if you don’t go. That’s not to make you feel guilt about not going. Just thoughts to consider whether it’s worth your time. Maybe ask someone who’s attended in the past.
The burden of DEI work (and all other of these types of things) always falls on those it is supposed to benefit. This kind of shit should be compensated. Yet these activities never really are. There’s no DEI bonus at my firm. There’s virtually no incentive for people to do all the extra work for these things when firms don’t make it a priority.
That being said, I agree with what others said that it can present other opportunities for you, such as mentorship, sponsorship, etc.
I feel the same. The firm does give us some billable credit for these things but it’s still not worth the burden. If client works pops up on 7pm the Thursday before the retreat, I end up working double time that weekend. I’ve stepped away from DEI efforts because I think it’s an unfair expectation.
Is your firm retreat next week? Lol 😂 cause I lowkey feel the same way
Hahaha yes! DM me if you want to actually meet up! And possibly play hooky 👀
It’s an opportunity to connect with other people of color in the firm, build your own “community”, find allies, mentors. But if you don’t find value in it, don’t go. I appreciate the opportunity to bond with folks that look like me across offices and to share experiences and tid bits of wisdom. But you are an adult and a working professional, it’s up to you to decide what things are beneficial to you and your career. The choice is and should be yours to go or not go.
I would go only if I had intentions of staying at the firm long/becoming partner. I could see value in just going anyway…I like developing relationships with people I work with especially if they’re other brown women I can talk to freely, unlike how I feel like I gotta watch what I say with some of the other folks in my group at my specific office
I feel the same way about this stuff. All I think about is how much it'll put me in a hole that I'll need to dig myself out of.
You’re missing the bigger picture. It’s about the connections. Those connections bring opportunities. I have made great friends and developed strong BD contacts based on these kinds of retreats at law firms I don’t even work at anymore. Look at the forest instead of the trees.
Be careful of what you share unless you implicitly trust the others there. Sometimes I wonder if the “diversity” people aren’t spying on behalf of the employer. Second, can you do billable work during the evenings and also lug your laptop around and clock in during any breaks?
It’s good time and you get to meet a lot of your network there. Other than making work more enjoyable/tolerable, this is the network that can help you with work flow, biz development, promotion, etc as you get more senior. The best way I can describe these events is: you typically don’t want to go to it but after attending, you are always glad that you went.
Do you have to go?
Interesting food for thought. Thanks for responding ☺️
I like them to network and meet other diverse attorneys in my firm. Also, shows the firm cares about bringing people together to be a support system. But if you see no value, you shouldn’t attend.
I don't think anyone has said this yet, but I think the best DEI retreats have informal time for networking (read: sharing stories/bonding over drinks) and building connections and also formal programming like panels from partners and closed door sessions for asking hard questions and hopefully getting straight answers (the kind of things you can't adequately replicate virtually)
It's probably more beneficial for newer folks who don't have solid mentors ("diverse" or not) or peers they can safely check in with about microagressions in the work place (like the CMP mispronouncing your name in a firmwide video) etc. Like all things, newer folks only reap the benefits of attending if the seasoned folks lean in to share wisdom/commiserate.
It’s great for networking. You can make connections with potential mentors, sponsors or attorneys who can give you work.