I recently had a very heated conversation about gender politics in large law firms with some young associates. The general concensus was that life in the profession -- not just a firm -- is difficult for most young lawyers, but it is an especially steep uphill climb for women lawyers. Kalliope, I think you are absolutely correct; especially in the junior ranks, what kind of work one is assigned usually has a weak correlation with the quality of their work product. Instead, it can be largely based on the "connection" the partner perceives he/she has with the associate. I guess I can brush up on my Godfather parlance (as I was advised to do), or feign an interest in sports, so I can have something extra in common with male attorneys. To me, though, it just doesn't seem worth it. This is further complicated by sentiments from male partners that any perceived roadblocks women feel they have are "in their heads", and by female partners whose own path bears no resemblence to the one they espouse in women group lunches and cocktail parties.

As with anything, a large part of the answer is to perfect one's craft and be the best, or as close to the best as possible, at whatever it is that one does. However, until women in positions of power begin to shift the paradigm, I do not envision much change taking place. Part of that shift begins with conversations like these -- not just among women at "how to be a successful woman in the legal world" luncheons, but between men and women. Until that happens, the perceived barriers will continue to reside "in our heads".

-- JenniferGreen - 21 Jul 2010