An Introduction to Dear NCBA WIP . . .

By WIP members 

As part of a monthly blog series, we’ve invited members of the NCBA Women in the Profession (WIP) Committee to share their insights on common challenges faced by women in the legal profession. As you will see in their answers, each member brings a unique perspective and personal experience, resulting in varied responses to the same questions. This diversity of thought underscores that there is rarely a single “right” answer to any given situation. We hope these insights offer valuable perspectives for other female attorneys navigating similar dilemmas in the legal workplace.

Below you will find responses from WIP members to the first set of questions:

The WIP Committee aims to offer guidance to attorneys who may face similar situations and feel uncertain about how to proceed. While we may not be able to answer every question, we will address as many as possible. We also encourage other NCBA members to submit questions for WIP members to consider.

1.   Question 1 – Dear NCBA WIP, I found out a male colleague has a higher salary but less work experience than me. What should I do about it?

• Answer 1 – Do not accept the salary offered without negotiating first. Doing so creates an effect of continued lower salaries for women. Know your worth. First, do your research. What are attorneys in comparable positions with equal amounts of experience being paid? Second, during your annual review or similar meetings with your boss, let him or her know that you believe you are entitled to an increase in salary and provide supporting information based on performance, experience, level of responsibility, and salaries of others in a comparable position. Remember, you must ask for a raise.
• Answer 2 – If you believe you bring the same or better experience, talent, and work product to the table as your male colleague brings, have talking points and ask for the raise. Ask for the raise not because the male colleague has a higher salary, but because YOU deserve the higher salary because of your quality. If you bring value to the firm, you deserve a raise.

2.   Question 2 – Dear NCBA WIP, the court bailiff mistook me for the paralegal and not the lawyer. What should I do the next time this happens?

• Answer 1 – Introduce yourself to the bailiff. When I started, I made a point to get to know the court staff (clerks and bailiffs). This had multiple positive effects. First, the staff knew who I was. Second, it made being in court much more pleasant. Third, if anything ever went wrong, the staff was more understanding and willing to work with me to fix it.
• Answer 2 – Make whoever made the mistake your friend. The mistake may be an honest one, as in you look like someone they know who is a paralegal, or it may be rooted in sexism. Either way, take the high road and tell the bailiff/clerk/judge/client who you are with a smile. If it continues, and it negatively affects you, call them out on it, but a one-time mistake is an opportunity to educate.
• Answer 3 – Ask the bailiff why he would think that. Perhaps it was an innocent reason. If not, he will have to state the reason, which may make him think through the reason himself and think better of that kind of callout moving forward. If the issue is not highlighted to him, it will continue to be an issue for other females behind you.
• Answer 4 – Nothing. They will eventually figure it out.

3.   Question 3 – Dear NCBA WIP, I am one of the only women at my law firm. How do I find a female mentor? How do I find peers?

• Answer 1 – There are many networks of women attorneys throughout the state. Look within your local bar, the NCBA WIP, and the NC Association of Women Attorneys. Is there an attorney that you know through your work or in your community that you trust and respect? Ask her out for coffee or lunch. Networking is key. Sometimes it is hard to put yourself out there, but getting to know fellow women attorneys is always a positive step.
• Answer 2 – Join groups where more women are present, like WIP! The NCAWA is also available for mentorship as are local bar associations.
• Answer 3 – Our county has a mentorship program through our county bar. If you do not have a similar opportunity, seek someone out. Find a local female attorney you respect or who is doing a similar practice area and reach out. I have also found mentors in opposing counsel from time to time. I always pay it forward when someone reaches out. I would hope other women would do the same. If the first one is not open to it, try again.

For more information about the impact of women in the profession and their retention, follow this link to a 2023 ABA Report that details demographics and forces that are impacting women in the legal profession (see chapter 7).