NYC BIPOC lawyer, into employment law, but feeling alone and overly critiqued. No vision for growth or partnership at my firm, and considering quitting law after three job changes. No mentor, needing advice. Feeling inadequate. Stick it out or leave? Each assignment causes anxiety.

1. Do BIPOC lawyers get extra criticism?
2. How to win in a tough job?
3. How can I find a good firm and stop job

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I have had this happen twice the past 4 years. I’m working for myself and if this doesn’t work the US can keep my student loan debt and I’ll teach English in Ghana, bet.

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You are your best investment. Find a couple of law school friends and share overhead. All of you can eat what you kill and give each other clients/ leads. My logic is, if I won’t invest in myself who will I invest in?

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Yes, attorneys of color do get excessive and unnecessary, and often biased, critiques. In general terms, what are some examples of the extra criticism you’ve received?

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Nothing sloppy about what you did! I’m so sorry you experienced this.

I also noticed a weird obsession with my ability to speak and write English (I am an immigrant but have always lived in English-speaking countries), as well as my overall intelligence (implying I got to where I did due to affirmative action).

So I do think obsession with attorneys of color’s use of English can be coded racism.

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