Blog — Around the water cooler

The Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel held a recent program entitled, “What Women (Lawyers) Want (And Need).

The panel during the day’s first session, “Rules of Engagement,” was made up of: Judge Sue E. Myerscough, Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District; Patricia Bobb, from Propes & Kaveny; Linda Listrom, from Jenner & Block; and Judge Patricia Banks, Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Judge Susan Fox Gillis, County Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County moderated the session.

They shared stories of the struggles they sometimes faced early in their careers because of their gender or race. They also reflected on how today’s legal community views female lawyers.

They discussed how mentoring among female lawyers does not exist as much today as it did when they started their careers. Several said they received mentoring from male colleagues, and female lawyers shouldn’t be opposed to that.

But at the same time, don’t expect to be mentored by the lawyer who everyone wants to be mentored by. Instead, let mentoring happen naturally, or seek out a lawyer whom you’ve developed a good work relationship with.

Many of the panelists said they believe gender discrimination does exist today, but in a more subtle way. Female lawyers may be questioned about whether they can generate business as well as a male lawyer, or female lawyers may not get the same type of assignments as their male colleagues.

Do you think gender discrimination still exists in today’s legal community? What stories do you have from starting out in your career that pinpoint examples where you were judged based on your gender as opposed to your skills?