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

This is so true. I was the first POC at my office - biglaw V20 firm. I’ve been here nearly 2 years now and up until recently thought that they’re all quite tolerant. But one of my main partners recently kept saying ‘you’re so different from other associates, you’re just really different..’ in a conversation without further explanation, and of course I am different - I look different, I sound different, I come from a different background. This made me think through some of my prior conversations and I’ve realized that people just want to hire those that similar to them, as much as they tolerate diversity they DONT want it. They want to hire the same person over and over again - someone that does not look, sound and think differently to them. It is a shame but it’s also the truth.

like

I know several black associates who are just biding their time at their firms and will leap at the first in-house position that aligns with their goals. Biglaw life can be soul crushing for associates of all races. Associates of color often faces additional hardship.

like

There's a difference between diversity, equity and inclusion. Most employers are content hiring POC to have racial diversity in their employment numbers, but they don't actually "include" them in the workplace in meaningful ways that lead to opportunities for career advancement.

like

Sometimes they do get a few in, they just can’t get them to stay. At my current firm I’ve had two mentors (black women) leave between my summer and before the end of my first year. As I approach the end of my second year, it has become more apparent to me why they leave. It’s just not an environment where you can see your success in the long term. I think that applies to a lot of firms. Hell I’ve even started reaching out to recruiters and the first opportunity I was sent was a firm with 0 attorneys of color, not a single one.

like

It is beyond isolating. I am the only poc in my big law practice group and I simply just do not connect with any of my team members. I have given up hope that we will ever connect beyond being courteous coworkers.

like

I left my Big Law firm for the same reason, I was the only POC in my practice group and as much as I tried, I could not fit in. It’s so draining 🤦🏿‍♀️

like

Agreed. I took a chance on the small firm I’m with now where I’m the only POC but never again! Don’t get me wrong, these are relatively cool people I work with but thats not enough. Now, as I consider my next move, I’m back to combing through LinkedIn pics and company website. If there are 0 people of color, particularly with 50+ employees, I’m not applying.

Related Posts

I love this (queer-positive comic creators really bring so much joy to the world) ☺️ The same goes for gender!

Post Photo
like

Why are town Hall meetings so impersonal? They are all about awards / the number of people hired. I know FCB health is large, but we never hear from people who aren’t Executives. Last town hall, when discussing inclusion efforts, there were no people of color represented and one of the 4 pillars of diversity was centered around our “reputation as an organization” (that really rubbed me the wrong way). At my last agency those conversations were always led by people of color from every level.

like

I have often wondered if being honest when I fill out EEOC / diversity forms if that limits me from new work / promotions. I used to be able to hide my disability, but it is progressive so now it's not as easy to hide. Thoughts?

like

Does anyone talk about economic diversity? You know middle class and economically challenged people who cannot afford art schools and expensive private colleges?

likeuplifting

Is anyone wondering what life will really be like for all the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion executives that many companies are hiring and bragging about now? I wonder how much power they will actually have to effect change. I wonder how long the trend will last.

like

Get to know me!

- Worked in Tech for over 20 yrs
- Born and raised in The Dominican Republic
- Moved to he US at 17 after HD
- Living in NYC
- Started as a Help Desk Support Technician
- Love humans way more than technology
- Fierce advocate for Diversity and Inclusion
- My mission si to elevate the voices of women and underrepresented minorities in Tech
- Love traveling and photography
- Ready to give back!

How about you?

Post Photo
likeuplifting

Ladies: looking for gym recommendations. Me: mid-40s, out of shape mom. I have chronic acid reflux that does get in the way of workouts at times. Prefer strength training over cardio and small group settings. Mixed gender is fine, but I generally prefer a community of folks closer to my age. Does such a place exist?

Location: Tarrytown/ Westlake ideal. Can travel as far north as the Central Market on N Lamar and as far south as the Central Market off of Westgate.

like

Searching for new ways to increase our inclusion efforts with our ESL team members. What is your organization doing? Any new and innovative ideas? TIA

like

Hello! It seems this bowl is not very active but I'd like it to be. So here's my story: Born & raised in PR, moved to CA for undergrad & have been here since then. I graduated from law school in 2019, followed by a 2 yr bk clerkship. I did the evening program. I really enjoyed law school, in spite of the microaggressions, the late nights, & crazy competition. Love all things diversity in the law. Anyway, currently looking for a position in NYC/DC area. 🤗

like

Counterpoint: I’m one of the few POC at a large agency and it’s really dope to be seen as an example of why agency diversity makes the work better. Any struggle outside of that is minor.

likeuplifting

If consumers prefer diversity in ads, wouldn't it make sense to have a more diverse industry? Why does agencies lack diversity?

like

Hello everyone, this bowl is just the start. We will make it big. Request you to stay here after joining. Meanwhile, do share this in your network. It would be a great help.

Till the time this bowl is growing, you can post confessions, advice, requests etc.

Use the format:
Age, Gender[M,F or any other]
Then your post.

like

Do NOT claim you are "colorblind" in the workplace. 1. DE&I knowledge is now a core leadership competency. Colorblind claims will earn you the reputation of being DEI-ignorant at best & racist at worst. 2. Colorblindness within the context of workplace diversity is an obvious lie. You do NOT want to be painted as an intellectually dishonest leader. 3. Colorblind claims signal that you lack the leadership skills & vocabulary to have key conversations. Ask questions here, in this safe space.

Post Photo
likesmart

Larsen & Toubro Infotech Looking out for a referral in LTI for databricks then DM me your details like fullname, date of birth, gender, mobile, email address, skills, experience
Larsen & Toubro Infotech
#jobchange

How did you begin to implement equity and inclusion into your organization?

like

Any agency in Chicago hiring for Diversity & Inclusion and open to actually addressing the challenges and make change? Bonus points for an agency that allocates a proper budget.

Hello! Does anyone know of any openings for diversity and inclusion drivers/promoters in India? I joined as an HR analyst at Accenture as a fresh graduate 3 months ago but this is not really the role I was looking for. I have quite a lot of experience in diversity and inclusion related themes. Any leads/suggestions/advice would be appreciated!
Location: India

More Posts

Does making a switch from Deloitte USI to EY-Parthenon makes sense?

Deloitte USI
Pros: Good work culture, Varied Type of Projects, Exposure to US markets
Cons: Kind of back end work sometimes

EY-Parthenon:
Pros: India Market, Strong Clients in India (both corporates and start-ups), Front End
Cons: Heard culture isn't great, Not that much variety in projects

EY-P is offering same fixed salary :(

like

Do companies sometimes offer "gifts of appreciation" if you're not selected for a merit increase? My manager randomly called me to let me know I was chosen for the "gift" this year bc of my "hard work & dedication", except now I'm learning other colleagues are receiving actual merits.
I mean it's possible that I may receive a merit, but I feel like I won't considering my manager never brought it up & the dept update made it sound like those receiving it should know by now.
More details below ⬇️

like

What is the worst reaction you’ve had after giving your notice? I just gave notice and I have never had a boss that tried as hard to make me change my mind as this one. Offered me basically anything I wanted.

like

Thoughts on the MOTW-founder scandal? I don’t have much words for his behavior but I wish the organization wouldn’t suffer bc it has done good for many people and had the potential to do much more.

For those in big 4, how much time between accepting an offer and start date have you been able to ask for? Is a month feasible/how should one phrase it? Two weeks just doesn’t feel like enough with this heavy burnout/having to wrap up deals at old firm

like

I’m white.. and a man. Shhh, don’t tell anyone.

likefunny

Anyone up for drinks at Moondogs in Buckhead tonight?

like

IBM wants to retain me, manager told me told withdrawal the paper. But still didn't get the revised offer/promotion letter? So before withdrawal will not get yhe letter from ibm?

like

How are the Wieden offices outside Portland? Still good?

like

Is it normal or ideal to continue working on a deal in your last week at the firm?

like

Does Coforge has office in Pune?

Sad but true

Post Photo
likefunny

who likes lofty briefs?

Post Photo
likefunny

Any product managers who wouldn’t mind me DM’ing to ask a few questions? Currently a tech consultant looking to leave consulting and considering PM

like

Hi, Can anyone tell me what will be the onboarding process in iqvia ? Do I have to visit office? Or virtual onboarding can be done ?

Longest dry spell? Single people only!

like

Anyone here from Accenture Operations?
What is the avg hike % in Base Pay?
What is the avg Variable Pay out %?
Level 9 & 8.

like

For any real estate investors

22 years old and currently focused on using my left over income to invest and pay off my debt. I am set to pay off my college loans by next year and, when I do, I want to look into investing into real estate. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get into/learn more about real estate investing? Or how I can have enough knowledge on the topic to be able to invest wisely when the time comes?

Any books? youtubers? etc. How did you all learn about it?

like

Any experience with GRC practice within the Big4? If so, which one would be the better choice as far as maturity & pay?

like

Additional Posts in Attorneys of Color

My work quality is slipping due to brain fog and mental health issues and I don’t know how to address it with my firm or who to go to. I was considered one of the best associates in our practice group, but now it can take me 3-4x the time to write an average brief. I can’t seem to think and organize my thoughts any more. This is incredibly scary bc obvi, that’s what this job is all about. I’m in IP litigation at a V50 firm and a mom. Do I raise it with partners and how?

like

Roo to my bruhs. Happy founders day

Post Photo
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

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

like

Does anyone have any side hustles apart from their day-to-day? If so, what are some suggestions that work well while practicing law?

like

how does anyone actually bill 8.5 hours a day?? Even on my most productive days I can only hit 6, 6.5.

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

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

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

LA fish: Any ideas for Pro Bono assistance for nonprofit community/cultural orgs? A family member recently joined the board of a nonprofit community/cultural org and is looking for counsel. There are no active legal issues, but they’re just trying to get affairs in order and have systems in place in case any do arise. I’m unable to represent them myself due to my work and lack of experience, and I’m unfamiliar with potential resources. Thank you!

like

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

like

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

What is the starting Salary for entry level insurance defense attorney in NYC area?

like

I’m not sure what I’m looking for in this post, but I feel I just need to get stuff off my chest. I’m a new attorney, my first job is as an ADA in a large county in a rural comm. It’s only my 1st month in the position and I’m having trouble feeling as though people are complacent and often times careless with peoples lives. I’m the only Latin/POC ADA and 80% of our defendants are Latino when they make only 25% of the county pop. We have LOTS of discretion to offer pleas, but honestly I’m not

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

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

likefunnyuplifting

Ketanji did not come to play! Came out of the gate ready to fight and turn these racist arguments on their heads. The way she was dropping 14th Amendment bombs on that man made me so happy. And this is only her first day. I just hope they protect her well.

likeuplifting

I feel like I'm going through really bad imposter syndrome, How do you manage it ?

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

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