I'm very tired of being in white spaces. My law school and my practice area is mostly white..... and now it's bleeding over into my friend group being mostly white and I hate it.

I just saw beyoncé last night and was so emotional (because it's beyoncé), but also because being among people of color is so empowering. It felt like going home. And idk if I'll ever feel like that again.

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

So be in a space that reminds you of you!

likeupliftinghelpful

I’m currently attending the Corporate Counsel Women of Color conference. There are similar affinity conferences throughout the year. You should get intentional about being in those spaces. I’m in a similar situation with an all white office and all white practice group - this is how I fill my cup - by intentionally putting myself into these psychologically safe spaces for at least a few days, each year. DM me if you’d like to discuss

likeuplifting

Thank you!!

like

Well YOU can change that. By moving, mentoring, and being intentional. I live in a majority black city and I demand diversity in the spaces I go to and where I work. There are plenty of diverse attorneys out there you can partner, you determine what’s most important $$$ or being around and uplifting your community.

What you explained sounds like you are suffering from imposter syndrome. 🙏🏾 prayers up for you.

like

It's so nice having this space where people get it! I am grateful for all of you! ❤️

like

Maintaining a core group of POC friends, and if you're Black, a core group of Black friends, is key to not being gaslit by this profession. If you don't have that core group, build one. Join someone else's. It's not too late. My core group adopts stragglers every now and then lol it is therapeutic to have convos where certain things and feelings are just understood. As everyone else said, be intentional to put yourself in spaces where you can build this network - we're out here.
Might help if you put your location. If I knew you were close I'd say swing through! Hopefully others would do the same.

likeuplifting

There’s nothing more fun and empowering than being with POC! I hope you find your tribe ✨

likeuplifting

thank youuu ❤️

like

Find professional groups with people from your race. I understand what you mean. I felt trapped in white spaces to the point where their culture made me miserable. Maybe start a local meet and greet group with people with the same race as you and people who are professionals

like

Yep. I get it…except for the friends part. I was so tired of it I told the white male recruiter that I won’t consider a firm or company that has no people of color in leadership.

likesmart

You must be in NO. Let’s chat

like

I'd just be happy to meet a lawyer who has the same ethnic background as me 🤷🏻‍♀️

like

Or DM me. I'm nosy.

funnyhelpful

I understand. What practice area are you in? I’m in the Houston area. I’m in IP. I too would like to connect w/ blk professional women. Feel free to DM me.

like

Consider going to more conferences; you can always make a business case to attend something like the CYOC conference in FL. Every time I attend I come back with lots of wonderful connections and we actually stay in touch. I think we all know what this kind of isolation feels like. But don’t let it swallow you up. There is a community that you can tap into even if it’s virtually on a fishbowl! What city are you in? Maybe join your local bar association’s affinity group too.

like

Related Posts

My mom and dad are separating (bad terms) and not speaking, but my mom asks me about him everyday. She knows I don’t want to talk to him or about him, but continues to bring it up everyday.. I’ve resorted to silence or not responding because I always end up being the bad guy when I get annoyed or don’t want to discuss it. Am I wrong here?

like

Can I buy 2 houses , one in a district with school ratings 4/10 and another house with school district 9/10? And then send kid to school which is 9/10 .

Currently don’t have kids. But would have them soon enough to send them to school after 5 years.

Is it legally allowed to have two residences in same area but different zip codes and choose better school for the kid ?

like

I don’t feel connected to my parents at all. After spending 15 years here, I am unable to connect to their extreme right nationalist views and the extra emphasis on the connection to our roots.

like

Thinking about divorce. Wife had an affair 3 years ago that I haven’t been able to move past. Been married 11 years and have two kids though. Restarting individual and couples therapy before I pull the trigger. Anyone else been in a similar situation? Should I blow up the family if I can’t get beyond this?

like

I’ve been married in a Catholic Church before and now divorced but my now boyfriend says he wants to marry me in a Catholic Church someday. How do I even start a petition for that? Also is that possible to re-marry in a Catholic Church?

like

Had a baby recently with some health issues which has prompted me to reevaluate my big firm associate life and consider in house. The issue is, I’m thinking of leaving right after/during maternity leave and feel very guilty. Do you think I should explain myself or just say I found another opportunity? I don’t want to burn bridges but also don’t think they are entitled to know everything about me.

like

How do you deal with your boyfriend still being friends with someone he slept with before? Kind of bothers me but not sure if it’s normal....

I have a friend who told me he sought treatment for alcohol abuse 6 mo ago. We talk a lot and I try not to judge or ask too many questions about his progress, just wanting to be a supportive friend who doesn’t pressure him. Today I brought him to a very laid back picnic… there was drinking but plenty of non-alcoholic alternatives, and it was a very chill group. Toward the end of the day I noticed him drink something. Should I have confronted and stopped him? Should I bring it up now? Guilty now

likehelpful

Comforting others:
When someone tells me bad news regarding their health, I say everything I am supposed to say (I’m sorry to hear that, I’m here for you, etc) EXCEPT “everything is going to be ok”. Because I can’t guarantee that and I really don’t know if everything is going to be ok. I was taken aback recently when a friend told me I am calloused and cold-hearted for not being able to say those words. Is she right? Should I start saying this for the purposes of providing comfort only??

like

Am I crazy or do women take pride in saying “my boyfriend/husband makes twice as much as me” or similar statements

I give massive kudos to all the parents out there juggling work and home life. But it’s starting to feel like I pulled the short stick by not having a kid. Really struggling to pick up all of the slack from all of the colleagues that do have kids and feel like the expectation is that parents should turn off while the rest are working from 7am - 2am everyday to make up for it.

like

Really trying not to spiral, and my practice group leader has been openly hostile to and dismissive of me lately. I haven’t mentioned my depression/anxiety to him because we’re not exactly getting along swimmingly, but I don’t know who else to talk to about my MH. Fighting with my wife hasn’t helped either. Really not sure how to handle it aside from counseling but that isn’t getting me anywhere fast. Thoughts?

like

A friend of mine was arrested last night over a DUI charge and his family is worried sick. How can I help comfort them...

like

Tips for helping kids stay on task during zoom? Our little class (9 kids) has been doing zoom circle times twice a week but I noticed they are really distracted. Also every meeting a kid leave...

like

So… 3.5 year relationship came crashing in Jan due to covid depression, work burn out, lockdown etc. We have stayed in contact and recently he has come around to apologizing and considering getting back together. However he also revealed he started seeing someone casually 4 weeks ago and technically is cheating on her by meeting me for coffee and to discuss this. I’m upset that he’s dating others but shouldn’t be right? I mean, I did the same. Still hurts though. And I told him to sort that out

like

Do you ever get over an ex you loved?

like

Did you ever have any issues with your family questioning what you do and saying it wasn't a "real job" ? They think being a social worker is fluffy and I should have just become an "actual doctor or psychiatrist"

helpful

This is the only bowl I can think to post in, but I'm really feeling it today. Has anyone lost their best friend (i.e. through time/growing up) and feel like none of their current friends could live up to the fun/connection you used to have with your high school BFF? I feel like I put too much focus on that one friend and also my boyfriend and just never actually made time for anyone else. I fucked myself over.

like

It really bothers me when I hear kids being referred to as under privileged. We say that to them enough then they start to believe they are less than others 😡

like

More Posts

What do you think will happen to the consulting business after project Everest ( the split of audit and consulting business)

like

Thoughts on Ogilvy Chicago?

like

Looking for something to help with soft skills in management. Any suggestions?

like

Deloitte Manager or IBM Manager?? Please suggest.
Almost same fixed package.. skill SAP Functional Close to 10 Yrs experience.

What’s the best place to work in pharma these days?

like

Hi fishes, I got letter of intent from Wipro from the recruiting person on 28th march and given april 28th joining date and i have also accepted it

Also I have sent mail to join early but she is not responding for mails even hr(scheduled interviews) is not responding for calls

Can i get any clarification about this Would i get offer letter before that joining date or else they have gone with other candidate?

Thanks in advance

Tata Consultancy Cognizant Accenture Infosys Deloitte Atos

like

I went on a date last week and it went really well. We basically set up 2nd & 3rd dates that night. 2nd date's Friday for drinks and 3rd date is drag brunch. Date had to end pretty early bc she's in the med field and needs to wake up around 5am. I'm new to dating people my own gender and I want to make moves but I'm nervous/hesitant since I'm new to this. There was light touching, leaning in, eye contact, but I want to do more. Anything I should do on the 2nd date? How to initiate?

like

Nicole at AKQA NY. Beyond bad.

like

How many hours are you IBD guys REALLY working. Everyone says 80+ hours but never seem to be around when you need them

like

Successful commercial banking exists?

like

Will need to migrate to office 365 soon. What’s the difference for excel from the 2013 version?

likehelpful

Had to wear it. 😂🤷🏾‍♀️

Post Photo
like

Hi! Currently based in NY, looking to hopefully move to Amsterdam and would love any insight on marketing/ad agencies and international hires.

Hi Any one please refer me to Deloitte Off-Campus Recruitment -Associate Analyst job id 1008.Deloitte

like

What's the best thing about living in Melbourne?

likehelpful

My HR rep told me that to apply for your CPA license in MA you only need 1 year of work experience, not 2009 billable hours. Didn't sound right- can anyone confirm/deny?

like

Does anyone else die inside when they're called a 'wordsmith'?

Post Photo
likefunny

Note to writers: the phrases are “centers/ centered on” and “revolves around.”
You cannot “center around” something.

Post Photo
likesmartfunny

Additional Posts in Attorneys of Color

I’m a woman of color and my legal assistant is a white man…this feels…good?

likefunnyuplifting

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

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

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

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

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

like

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

like

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

likefunny

Has anyone found success developing business or building their book? Specifically businesses (not individuals)? Looking for new ideas to get clients in the door.

like

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

Hey all, I’m starting a new job soon (in 2 weeks to be exact), but I haven’t been contacted by the firm. Should I be concerned?

like

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

like

Kind of a quick rant. I did a quick search through some firms websites because I am thinking of switching jobs. It is definitely clear most firms still do not embrace diversity. I know diverse applicants must be just as qualified! So what is keeping attorneys of color out?? It’s so discouraging.

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

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

like

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

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

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

Not legal-related but: thoughts on A Jazzman’s Blues? I loved it. Been a while since a movie has stayed on my mind long after it ended, like this one has. Shocking Tyler Perry wrote it. “Paper Airplanes” is a hauntingly beautiful song.

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