Being taken seriously as a female lawyer

The most powerful lawyer I ever faced wore Christian Louboutin aka red bottoms 👠 to court. The insurance defense team snickered behind their briefcases. Three gray-suited men who thought they'd already won. By noon, she'd dismantled their expert witness so thoroughly, their own client was taking notes. After 32 years in law, I've noticed something fascinating: The lawyers who apologize for their power rarely have any. The ones who own it? Unstoppable. But here's the controversial part: Women in law don't need to "act like men" to win. They need to stop pretending that's the goal. I've watched female attorneys lose cases trying to out-masculine the room. Dropping their voice. Hiding their intuition. Suppressing their emotional intelligence. Meanwhile, the red bottom powerhouse? She asked the witness about his daughter. Made him comfortable. Then used his own words to expose every lie. Pure emotional genius disguised as small talk. The male attorneys never saw it coming. They were too busy playing chess while she was reading souls. Here's what makes people uncomfortable: The best female trial lawyers I know use everything society told them was "weakness" as weapons: • Empathy to find witness vulnerabilities • Intuition to sense jury dynamics • Collaboration to build stronger cases • Emotional intelligence to destroy opponents They're not succeeding despite being women. They're succeeding because of it. The legal profession doesn't need more women who act like men. It needs more women who realize their "feminine" traits are superpowers in a courtroom. Those who know, know. Power isn't about fitting into someone else's suit. It's about wearing your red bottoms to court and making everyone else adjust to your altitude. What "weakness" became your greatest professional strength?

2010: Joined law as an intern. 2013: Promoted to junior advocate. 2017: Started independent practice and co-founded RBI Advocates and Solicitors. When I stepped into the legal field in 2010, I was full of ambition. But I quickly realized that being a woman in law came with challenges no law school had prepared me for. The struggles were real: 1. Lack of Basic Facilities – Many courtrooms and offices had no clean washrooms for women. Some didn’t have any at all. 2. Limited Networking – The best opportunities often came from male-dominated spaces where women were either excluded or felt unsafe. 3. Gender Bias – Clients and colleagues questioned my expertise just because I was a woman. “Is there a male lawyer I can talk to?” was a question I heard too often. 4. Sexual harassment at work place - From inappropriate comments to outright harassment, many female advocates face situations that threaten their safety and dignity. And some days, it felt like I was fighting a battle I couldn’t win. But I didn’t give up. Today: - 11,200+ files dealt. - Great 6+ advocates as a team. So, how can new women lawyers navigate these challenges? ✅ Build a Strong Network – Find mentors (men and women) who support your growth. ✅ Know Your Rights – Understand workplace harassment laws and don’t stay silent. ✅ Choose the Right Workspaces – If a firm or chamber doesn’t provide basic facilities or has a toxic environment, look elsewhere. ✅ Speak Up – The more we talk about these issues, the more we push for change. To all young women entering law: The road is tough, but you belong here. Keep going. Your fight matters. Have you faced similar challenges? Let’s talk.👇 ------ Helpful? Follow Baijayanti Roy Got things to add? share it in the comments. ------ #linkedin #lawyer #advocate #law #legal #WomenInLaw #LegalCareer #GenderEquality #LawyerLife #FemaleAdvocates #LegalProfession #WomenEmpowerment #LawFirm #NetworkingTips #WorkplaceHarassment

When I started my career, the odds were against me. Today, I’m one of the 22-27% of female partners in top corporate law firms in India. Here's how I got here.👇 My early days weren't easy. I faced skepticism about my capabilities, struggled to find #mentors, and had to work twice as hard to prove myself. The late nights at the office & balancing my personal life while climbing the corporate ladder—it was challenging. But my passion for law & determination to succeed kept me going. I remember my first major case; I was the only woman in a room full of seasoned male lawyers. The pressure was immense, but I knew I had to hold my ground and showcase my capabilities. Fast forward to today, & I see a positive shift. Between 22% and 27% of partners at top corporate law firms in India are now women. And in 2023, women accounted for 40% of all promotions across corporate law firms, a huge increase from 33% during pre-Covid times. This progress is encouraging, but there's still a long way to go. To my fellow women starting their careers in corporate law, here are some tips I've learned along the way: 1. Find your voice and use it confidently in meetings and negotiations. 2. Seek out mentors, both male and female, who can guide and support you. 3. Build a strong network of peers and allies within the industry. 4. Don't be afraid to take on challenging cases or assignments - they're growth opportunities. 5. Advocate for yourself and your accomplishments. Remember, the legal landscape is changing. More firms are recognizing the value of #diversity & actively working to promote women. Embrace these opportunities and don't let anyone underestimate your potential. To my male colleagues: We need your support & allyship to continue breaking barriers. Let's work together to create a more inclusive and equitable #legal profession for all. #WomenInLaw #CorporateLaw #DiversityAndInclusion #LegalProfession #WomenEmpowerment #startups

The biggest hurdle I had to overcome in communication as a young female lawyer: The belief that the only way to have my voice heard was volume. After 15 years in practice, now I know: Power comes from precision. The quieter we speak, the more people lean in. Here’s what I teach women in business who want to lead like a lawyer: 🛑 Stop explaining. Start asserting. ❌ Don’t defend your decisions. Declare them. 🎯 “Let me be clear” beats “I just think…” every single time. It’s not about being cold. It’s about being confident. (And clarity is a kindness.) Actionable Strategy: Next time you’re tempted to soften your message with “I’m sorry,” “I think,” or “Does that make sense?” cut it. Still true, still respectful, still yours. You’re good. Want more strategies like this? Start by learning your negotiation style and some tactics for how to leverage it. Link to the quiz in the comments.