Law Students

Hidden Mindsets, Storytelling, and the Advancement of Women Lawyers

By slwhite

One reason that it?s so difficult for women lawyers to advance is the way the stories of their accomplishments are told.  I chose the word ?tell? over the word ?report? because everyone wears blinders when observing and forming judgments about the world. Even the most honest and objective reporter carries around hidden mindsets - lenses through which s/he sees and interprets experience.

Recently, I read a story and wondered why it wasn?t told differently.  The differences I will suggest may appear to be subtle to some, meaningless to others, and non-existent to a few; but, I am certain they are present and contribute to the difficulties women face in their attempts to advance professionally. So, here?s the way I tell the story that led me to wonder. 

On June 29, 2009, in the Eastern District of Texas, the trial team led by two extraordinary women, Dianne Elderkin and Barbara Mullin, of Woodcock Washburn, received a $1.6 billion verdict, the largest patent infringement award in U.S. history. Not only did the jury find infringement; it found willful infringement. I wonder how often lawyers persuade a jury to find willful infringement.   Ms. Elderkin was named AmLaw?s first woman litigator of the week in an article, which noted that ?few women are leading the cases we cover at the Litigation Daily.? They have been picking litigators of the week for a little more than a year.  I?m curious about the number of women litigators and why so few are leading the cases, which receive Litigation Daily press coverage.

After the jump: how AmLaw told the story ...

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Full post as published by Ms. JD on August 19, 2009 (boomark / email).