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Most disturbing case you've taken on?
I’m being offered a job in plaintiff side employment law litigation from direct services non profit. (Dream) however I’m worried about training & learning curve especially for a first gen,only POC.im leaning to take it but would like resources to help me learn (beyond using guides /secondary sources) I
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Tips on how to spot problematic firms and avoid them welcome. I’ll start: if a firm does not have photos of its attorneys online, don’t even consider it.
Also tips on reporting racist behavior appreciated as well. I recently learned that many corporate clients require firms they give work to to employ people of color. The time to report these issues is now.
I should also include an abridged version of my story. I worked in a mid-sized firm just outside of Braintree. No photos on the website. Turned out, prior to my hiring there were no black attorneys. Then, they hired me and two other black attorneys in rapid succession. So, we kinda felt like something forced this firm to suddenly hire a bunch of black attorneys. Over the course of a year, two of us were pushed out under shady circumstances. I can’t comment on the other atty’s situation because it’s super specific and obvious. Anyway, at this firm we black attorneys got no training, whereas 2 white attorneys hired after us did. They also constantly looked for ways to attack my hours, so that I would fall short. I called out the limiting of my billables and pointed out that not only was I letting my manager know when I needed more work, I also submitted a daily activity report, so there was really no way my manager was somehow unaware when I needed more work. But he tried to play me like it was. And as retaliation for calling him out to the partners, he spent the next few months nitpicking my work and being openly hostile. The partners seemed to be ok with it and I was eventually fired. I documented every bit of it. I have a recording of a partner asking me to do something. Two weeks later I was fired for doing exactly what I was asked to do. This partner denied telling me to do what ultimately got me fired. It’s not even legal to record people without their knowledge, but here I am. It had to be done. I KNOW I’m not alone.
You are not alone. I had issues with individuals not giving me work for years, and I had to be extremely aggressive to get work and make my hours. Conversely, partners and senior associates bombarded and overloaded every new, white associate that came after me, with work. I did have a God send, a white male partner that really had my back and looked out for me, and gave me a lot of work but unfortunately he left (and I couldn't relocate with him). I saw the writing on the wall. Then, it was just a race to see if I landed a new job first or they asked me to leave. They won.
It is challenging being a black lawyer anywhere. My experience in Big Law and In- House is that the law space and investment banks for that matter are going to be the last environments moving into the enlightened of diversity. The money and status make it difficult for those I power to share the privilege. It is still a boys club and the few lawyers/investment bankers of color or women are sometimes helpful and sometimes not.
You have to believe in yourself and your abilities and be strategic about your career. Always have an exit strategy! I do believe there are more fulfilling environments in which to practice law. Keep an open mind and pay attention to how certain spaces make you feel and plan accordingly.
Thank you. This is actually helpful, as it appears I’m stuck here for a while. But I would never advise a black attorney to even consider trying to be a lawyer here.
I’m not in Boston but I agree about the online pictures. That had been my rule then I made an exception and ended up the only POC in a small boutique. Though I haven’t detected racism, it is a very isolating experience that I would not repeat.
I left. Lol