Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome

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“Imposter syndrome,” or doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud at work, is a diagnosis often given to women. But the fact that it’s considered a diagnosis at all is problematic. The concept, whose development in the ‘70s excluded the effects of systemic racism, classism, xenophobia, and other biases, took a fairly universal feeling of discomfort, second-guessing, and mild anxiety in the workplace and pathologized it, especially for women. The answer to overcoming imposter syndrome is not to fix individuals, but to create an environment that fosters a number of different leadership styles and where diversity of racial, ethnic, and gender identities is viewed as just as professional as the current model.

How Law Firms Are Supporting Women Lawyers in The Pandemic

Sophie Bierly

The National Law Review March 17, 2021 This year’s celebration of Women’s History Month is especially appropriate because it comes during the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdown. Working women have felt a tremendous amount of pressure in juggling demanding careers with the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, especially closed childcare facilities and schools and eldercare. The American Bar Association …

Female Lawyers Face Unique Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sophie Bierly

ABA Journal OCTOBER 1, 2020 BY LIANE JACKSON Out of the many uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, what we do know is that it is deadly, pernicious and unpredictable. In the course of months, the virus sickened millions, crippled industries and reversed hard-won economic gains. The legal landscape, like many other sectors, has changed and continues to evolve with the challenges of a …

8 Steps for Retaining Women of Color Lawyers

Sophie Bierly

2Civility FEBRUARY 25, 2021 JAYNE REARDON  A lack of diversity and inclusion has plagued the legal profession for decades. Despite incremental progress in hiring, law firms haven’t been successful in retaining women of color lawyers in the associate ranks or promoting them to partner. While the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the stark realities of the legal profession’s diversity, equity, and …