Dear NCBA WIP . . .

By WIP members  

As a reminder, as part of a 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 a new 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. If you have questions, please email BreAnne Shieh.

1. Question 1—Dear NCBA WIP, my firm always asks me to plan parties and other events while not asking male colleagues to help plan events. How can I suggest someone else take on these non-law-related responsibilities?

• Answer 1 – Thank your firm for their confidence in your ability to plan successful events, and then suggest including others in the planning. I would then recommend something along the lines of “Although I am grateful for the opportunity to promote collegiality within the office, I would appreciate it if these responsibilities could be shared among others in the office.”
• Answer 2 – Tell your firm that you did it the last time and suggest that turns be taken by the attorneys or that someone volunteer for the role long-term. If the firm declines, ask why you have been selected. Asking the question may help firm leadership realize an unintentional implicit bias.
• Answer 3 – Ask your firm to form a formal committee with multiple associates to plan firm events.

2. Question 2 – Dear NCBA WIP, my boss gives my male colleagues more complex and exciting matters to work on while giving me tasks like document review. What should I do about the unbalanced work assignments?

• Answer 1 – Ask for the more complex work. If your boss refuses or declines, ask why.
• Answer 2 – Let your boss know that you are interested in taking on more responsibility, and show them that you can do so.
• Answer 3 – Ask your boss what you can do to get work other than document review, and remind him or her that you enjoy your job and are seeking ways to advance.

3. Question 3—Dear NCBA WIP, how can I become more confident in my work product and myself?

• Answer 1 – Confidence comes from gaining experience. It can be hard, but you have to get out there and do it. Study, research, make mistakes, learn from them, and you will build confidence.
• Answer 2 – Imposter syndrome is real. Young lawyers and lawyers who have been practicing for decades all question whether they are enough. Is my work good enough? Am I good enough? This feeling is terrible.  Remember, you got to where you are today because you are good enough and smart enough. We often lose sight of this fact. Don’t be afraid to take chances and step out of your comfort zone. You may surprise yourself.
• Answer 3 – Remind yourself that you are doing a good job! It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of work and forget how far you’ve come. I keep a folder on my desktop with praise emails to pull out and look at when I’m feeling down.

For more information about the impact of women in the profession and their retention, here is a link to an ABA Report: ABA Profile of the Legal Profession 2024, which details demographics and forces that are impacting the profession.