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But not from lack of trying
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Ah yes the designated note swine
😂, I mean definitely not laughing now!
Hate to say it but uber is definitely in tune
How many trials per year do "trial lawyers" do?
Accurate depiction of this week
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I’m almost 40 and a 5th year and I’m just now starting to realize/accept that I wasn’t always wrong. It’s a work in progress. But I bet she’s benefit from encouragement and acknowledgement of her imposter syndrome
I’m not a WOC, so grain of salt, but I struggled a LOT with anxiety my first few years of practice. Reading “The Four Agreements” at the suggestion of my therapist helped me a lot.
The book is kind of spiritual so if she’s religious you might tread lightly. I’m the last person to ask about social etiquette, lol, but if you did want to read it, it’s not long. It’s kind of a general self-help type thing so I don’t think there would be a reason for her to be insulted of you suggested it?
I would be cautious in assuming what is driving her reaction unless she told you directly. I was a very nervous first year (because I was a first year) and didn’t even consider that I was the only woman in a group until another woman pointed it out. She was trying to be helpful and relatable but then I had something new to be self conscious about and it made me feel worse.
Thanks, this is the kind of advice I needed.
How did you feel when you first started? Imposter syndrome is difficult to get rid of, but she needs to just gain more confidence in her skills which comes with time
I’ve seen a lot of associates grow into themselves as they develop skills, but this is more extreme and seems to be compounding and getting worse. I would understand if she was fucking up, but all the positive feedback seems to be making things worse.
This is a good question for the Women of Color in Law Bowl. I’ll re-post there.
Thank you!! I didn’t know that bowl existed!
Having supervised summer associates while in Big Law, my perspective is that it’s common for law students to be very nervous in their first legal workplace.
The experiences of not belonging and being overly scrutinized are worse for us women of color, also, since the data shows that most law firms continue to resist integration.
However, it may be worth gently investigating how her experience has been at your firm. Perhaps take her out for lunch or coffee to build rapport. It is possible she is having a negative experience in some way that is not readily apparent to you —bullying or even sexual harassment is unfortunately common.
I was recommended this book before I started big law - the first third felt common sense but I found the rest of it helpful in building my self confidence: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-secret-thoughts-of-successful-women-and-men-why-capable-people-suffer-from-impostor-syndrome-and-how-to-thrive-in-spite-of-it-valerie-young/ef20d2c9c8ec771f?ean=9780307452719&next=t&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaignname%7D&utm_content=6443417794&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16235479093&gbraid=0AAAAACfld41z48WktV9QwL3GzFmKg87ye&gclid=CjwKCAjwuanRBhBSEiwAY5y6V72smOE9sguCu5ICPd9BbL6ORPbOTq7tIIe-sXsyJhMpRQTzMZG80hoCb2QQAvD_BwE