In 2018, as I began my first year at Western University’s Law School, I had no preconceived notions of the area of law that I might want to practice. I was told that the doors were wide open, I could steer my education to whatever stream I desired, and my previous education (or lack thereof) would not hinder my aspirations. I was encouraged to hear this. I had previously completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and worried this wouldn’t provide the knowledge and experience to succeed in any field of law.
I eagerly dove into the foundational courses in the hope of finding an area of law that ignited my professional passions. A unique feature of Western Law is that it is the only school in Canada that allows students to study corporate law in the first year. This head start enables students to take more advanced classes in their second year. Despite my limited business/corporate law knowledge, I jumped at the opportunity and registered for the course.
Once enrolled, I dove in with enthusiasm. I reveled in the material and did my best to engage with it. Slowly, however, I started to struggle with the thought that I might not have what it takes to practice business law. I felt like I was falling behind, but more than that, I had trouble picturing myself in the role of a corporate lawyer.
When I conjured a picture of a business lawyer, I saw a man. Ask me today, and I can’t pinpoint any one specific experience that built up my mental model of a stereotypical male business lawyer. Still, consciously or subconsciously, the belief informed my choices in school from that point forward.
I became hesitant to take any other business/corporate classes, which, coincidentally or not, were almost all taught by male professors. Perhaps the lack of female faculty representation in this area fueled my misconception? Either way, I geared my education toward areas of law where I thought I could succeed. I had what it took to argue as a litigator or provide advice as a family lawyer, but I didn’t think I was capable of keeping up in the realm of business law.
During my articling experience at Lerners, that all changed. Working side-by-side with lawyers in the field, I experienced a change of perspective. I knew that I could make a career, a great one, in business law. Why did I write myself off back in school? I’m still not entirely sure.
I know that the representation and mentorship of strong and intelligent female lawyers have helped reshape that faulty mental model that I had built up. I don’t know whether my experience mirrors those of other women in law, but I’ve had the great fortune to be surrounded by male colleagues who do not, contrary to my former subconscious beliefs, perceive my competency through the lens of my gender.
I’m optimistic that the representation of strong, women lawyers, both in academia and in the practice of law, will continue to shift the perspectives of young and aspiring lawyers like myself into the future. The next blog in our series, written by Camille Edwards, refers to breaking the bias for ALL women, including our racialized sisters.