While my boss is very sensitive to sexism, he often reminds me that I am only a 2nd year, and that sometimes people (attorneys in our firm, outside co-counsel, opposing counsel) treat me differently in accordance with my experience level, rather than because of my gender. I, however, believe that I’d be given a lot more respect as a male 2nd year. Small firm so we don’t have any male associates. How do I show him it’s my gender and not my experience level?

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I think experience/youth is a bigger issue than you’re giving it credit for. I’ve known some amazing attorneys in their first 5 years who didn’t get the credit they deserve regardless of gender. I think that “baby lawyer” stigma is fairly gender neutral. In my experience I’ll admit I’m probably harder on baby lawyers who are men and try to puff like they’ve got 10 years under their belts than I am on baby lawyers who are women or more subtle men. On this one I’d say your boss may be right. It’s a youth thing not a gender thing.

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PS nothing pisses older lawyers off more than getting their ass kicked by baby lawyers. So go get your revenge in the best way possible!

funny

You won’t make him see it. I didn’t think gender bias/sexism was that big of a deal until I became an attorney. Sure, I knew it existed but didn’t believe it was as prevalent or as extreme as it really is. I actually had a male prosecutor tell me he’d decide what kind of deal my client got when he saw me. Other times, I’ve been called a young lady — in a letter from OC, actually. I’ve started using it to my advantage. You’d be surprised how many of them don’t realize I’m more than a “cute young lady” until they’ve gotten their ass kicked. Fortunately, in my experience that’s also how you gain their respect. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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^this x 100000000

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I’m sorry this is happening to you and being dismissed when you raise it- glass ceiling is still very real at many firms. Forget about trying to prove that to your boss- without a direct male counterpart it will be hard to prove unequal treatment. Just work your ass off and earn the respect you deserve. Of course if there is anything overtly sexist report it to HR.

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One of the reasons sexism sucks is that it’s often invisible to those who are not in the receiving end. You may never be able to convince him, but don’t let the slights, microaggrssions and macro aggressions convince you that you’re not a great attorney.

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From one woman to another, sounds like it may be time for a new job. Your relationship with your boss is so important. If this is how he views life, you may never be able to “prove” it to him. You have a couple of years under your belt, a move may mean more money, a better boss and a better culture fit!

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How can you be sure that you would be treated differently if you were a male, if there is no comparable male associate? Also, billing many hours is not the only factor to prove one’s value, the final result of his/her work is. Moreover, you say that it is other people who treat you in a way that you don’t like, whereas your boss is very sensitive to this matters and (I assume) treats you correctly. So why should you convince him? I would focus on convincing the others of your value, not him. In any event, I do not know how bad your situation is. If you have done everything you can to prove yourself and cannot stand the current situation anymore, I agree with the other comments that it might be time for a new job because some people’s mentality is impossible to change.

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There is none so blind as he who will not see. You may not be able to prove it to him. I have known older attorneys who consistently are in fact snobbish about the additional experience they have and even when you’ve got 10 years under your belt they still regard you as a “young attorney” because they still have x years more experience than you. Personally, I’ve chosen to be a duck - let it roll off my back, mentally pat them on the head sympathetically for their blindness, and do my best anyway. If it becomes intolerable or harmful to your career, a job search may be in order. The bowls here show clearly that there are a lot of attorneys and firms that do not allow that culture to build. Hang in there. And don’t let it demoralize you.

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