Law Students

When one woman leaves

By Peg

I've got to vent a little...A few weeks ago a female senior associate left my firm to go work for a judge.  She is one of the few associates that has left voluntarily since I've been here.  She is amazing - mother of 2, great attorney, part-time but cleary on track for partnership.  (The head of litigation in our office is reported to have said that she was the first part-time lawyer that he would consider making a partner.)  She was involved in the policies of the firm (as much as an associate can be) -- on the associate committee, founder of a woman's affinity group.  She was ultra-professional but also super nice.  Let's face it, she was talented.  Also, truth be told she was our next best hope for a female partner in this office -- something we all had our fingers crossed would happen in the next 2 or 3 years.  When she left, word has it that some very influential partners pratically begged her to stay.

I wanted to say to her "Don't leave us, we need you to stay, to make partner, to change things around here so that it is better for women." I wanted to say to her that she was taking the easy road but that she was too good to leave. However, at her farewell, all I could say was "good luck" and "I'm happy for you" even though I was sad for the rest of us and sad for the firm and sad for the plight of women in law firms everywhere.

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Full post as published by Ms. JD on July 28, 2009 (boomark / email).