Have you ever joined a firm purely based on how many POC would be in your practice area?

likefunny
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I’m in tax so lol no.

funnylike

Yeah, that couldn't even be a consideration for me, BM

No but I can totally see myself doing this, considering I’m the only POC attorney at my firm.

like

Definitely an important factor! I declined an interview with a midsize firm that only had two POC in the entire firm. It was the exact practice area I wanted to be in and I still said no because I was not about to go through that again

like

Same, and at that firm, none of the very very few POC looked like me, either. It was unfortunate because it was otherwise a great firm on paper.

like

Now this is something I look for in a firm! You really feel like you are on an island alone when you don’t have someone that looks like you at the firm-even if it is a legal assistant!

Bc the biases are real!! I told a white legal assistant how close my brother was very close to my mom and she asked me if my mom was a “single mother” bc of how close they were!! My parents have been married for 39 years! 😒

like

I look at diversity, in general. But more important to me are culture, work life balance, and firm values - in addition to salary, of course. It certainly doesn't hurt though.

like

Not the only consideration at the time I made the decision, but it definitely was a major factor in me ultimately joining my group.

like

Not the only consideration, but definitely an important one. I’m a WOC in patent lit and chose my firm because there are several WOC at the partner and counsel level.

like

No but my practice area just happened to be filled with far more POC than others (employment immigration). I think a lot of immigrants get inspired to do this kind of work because of their own journey. Similar to former addicts being drawn to work in recovery. I love it!

like

I did this. Not for my group specifically, but firm wide. Its less likely to see any kind of critical mass of POC in my practice area, but compared to the overall firm numbers in my last firm and how badly I fared despite their great DEI publicity, I was very focused on seeing senior level POC and retention numbers.

Inclusivity and diversity are generally a green flag, but I don't consider it for that alone. I also value good work life balance, salary, and values. I also see it as a green flag if there are a good number of women on the team.

It's a factor. Back when I just passed the bar, I Immediately sent out my CV and application letter to the firms around my area I had no time and opportunities to waste.

Related Posts

Everything always takes me so long to do :/

like

Anybody know anything about Ubiquiti Inc.? How is it to work there? What does career progression look like? Thank you

like

Hi Guys,
Tom is my interview with IBM first round.
Tech : java, spring boot ,microservices.
Yoe: 2
What kind of questions to expect.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks

What is the salary structure of KPMG India?

like

Does PWC give free Udemy access?

like

Have you ever been put on a PIP and survived?

likehelpful

Hello,
What is the average pay for IT Technical Support Market?

like
like

I know this is subjective but what are some of the easiest/toughest SF certifications to get?

like

Hi all , looking for thoughts on best company for sfcc. Is company like Deloitte better or a web agency ?

like

Do you have any tips for the technical design round in Salesforce? I’m applying for the solution architect role and would appreciate any tips you can share. Thank you!

likehelpful

Hi everyone , I’m trying to build an email template with cross objects. I know that doesn’t work but is there a work around?

like

Hi everyone, thinking of places to hop to from Citi. Under consideration for a position w JP Morgan. The position is Vice President, Sr. Program Manager. Position is in Tampa. Anybody have an idea on what the salary range is like for this position? Thanks in advance.

Is tin factory area safe to stay ? My office is in BWTC

Uh this could get bad fast if this holds through open. Protect your downside if not already.

like

Any bcg first rounders heard back today? When was your interview?

like

Seeking help preparing for Senior Financial Analyst interview at Google. Would really appreciate if existing SFAs or those who've been through the process recently could share insights on how to prepare and what to expect.

like

Hey! To prep for an enterprise ux designer interview would you prepare a portfolio deck or would you review your portfolio site? The role I am interviewing for is the first and only ux designer on a team of predominantly project managers.

like

What could I expect from an interview with EY for a Senior Software Engineer role in Consulting?

Also, what’s the general pay range?

like

Can someone give me the full break down of the PR hierarchy & BD hierarchy? I’m considering applying for the DX role but I’m just confused on what the next steps looks like.

like

Additional Posts in Attorneys of Color

Did anyone from your past tell you you wouldnt make it as a lawyer? Did you ever rub it in their face later that you in fact did?? 😂

like

Does anyone in this group have ADHD? Are you finding that working in a law firm setting and billing hours is just not something they can do or is it possible with the proper medication and therapy?

I don’t cut my hours, I consistently reach 7 hours a day, but it’s not enough to meet my firm’s minimum requirement. I’m usually working 9 hours/day.

like

Thinking of pivoting from insurance defense to something more meaningful and (dare I say it) with more work life balance. Currently in my 7th year of practice and am just tired of ID. Anyone make the transition? Any advice?

like

I'm a younger plaintiff's side attorney (31). Does anyone else feel like white attorneys give you a particularly harder time? Like unreasonably denying clear facts, or trying to fish for a way to sanction you? Usually it's solo defense attorneys that get extreme with it, but I've seen some questionable stuff from BigLaw too. Hopefully I'm not the only one.

like

Thoughts on whether DC or NYC is a better place to be as an attorney of color?

like

Are y’all finding your white male bosses to be incompetent as hell or is just me? And they will milk you for all your brilliance and try to squeeze every ounce of labor out of you.

like

Does anyone know what the dress code is for the upcoming CAALA Trial Skills seminar? Do people usually wear suits or is it business casual? Thank you!

like

Have you ever been told off by an older attorney of color? We have one Black partner at our firm and in conversation with him this morning he told me I should work on sounding and looking "more professional" and not let my "tone" or "bad attitude" get in the way. I don't think I've ever had a bad attitude at work, and whatever "tone" I'm speaking in it's my normal one. As a Black woman I just feel super weird about it and kind of sad.

like

How do I professionally decline a second interview? I know for sure I don’t want to work at the firm.

like

Today is the first day of the new work week! What are your goals for this week?

like

Someone on LinkedIn expressed disappointment about the lack of diversity from the big law firms in TX that were posting pics of their summer associates. A managing partner commented that he thought the post might be about a pic he posted (12/14 SAs were white). He tried to defend this by saying that they had LGBT and socioeconomic diversity. The fact that he recognized that his pic might be part of the problem says it all. Law firms need to do better. Sorry, I just wanted to rant.

like

I handleda very difficult and convoluted succession for a black family. My client was astute and intelligent. We got along great. His family was difficult. Willfully ignorant.

Part of the succession dealt with clawing back $450,000 in insurance proceeds that a niece fraudulent received from the decedent by making herself the beneficiary on policies. A separate attorney was hired to handle that part before I was hired to handle all other matters, including settling a $500,000 debt with the...

like

A partner just walked from his office. By passed 4 or 5 people who are generally more knowledgeable on our banking logistics straight to the only black support staff employee to@ask if today is a bank holiday.

likefunny

Might be a silly question but I will throw it out there. Anyone have any tips on best practices to preserve a silk press overnight? Currently have silk pillowcases but wrapping always ends up a fail.

likehelpful

Anyone else sickened by Amy’s use of her black kids as props? You didn’t have to tell us that those two black kids were adopted, but way to make them feel different.

like

Starting at a new firm, What can I do to leave a good first impression?

like

Anyone in this bowl based in Central Florida that would like to connect?

like

What was your experience with the LSAT? Do you think it's gatekeeping, preventing students who can't afford it (often people of color) from entering the field? OR is it helping future attorney's of color by giving them a chance to go to a top school regardless of grades? I've seen questions about the LSAT all day and just want to know how people feel.

likesmart

Any one here based out in the Middle East? If so, what's your experience. Would you recommend it. I am 32F - African Descent planning to relocate to the UAE.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal