Our Interview With Anna “Annie” Sturges, Employment Associate At Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Anna "Annie" Sturges is an Employment Associate at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP.

Which barriers do you believe still exist for women in law, and how can the next generation of female attorneys work to overcome them?

Even though women attend law school in roughly equivalent rates to men, representation at the higher echelons of the legal profession continues to fail to mirror the overall legal population, especially when intersectionality is considered. While there are a variety of factors that contribute to this disproportionate representation, I believe the women and allies in leadership roles today are paving the way for women in law school to leap over their shoulders. On an individual level, seeking and maintaining mentoring relationships with women and allies in roles to which law students aspire is a critical first step to building the networks that give women the support and access to excel as firm partners, politicians, judges, and JAG corps generals.

Which qualities or skills set women lawyers apart in competitive environments, and how can law students begin cultivating those now?

There is no singular quality that all women share to the exclusion of all men. Just like women in society more broadly, women in the legal field develop a variety of different strengths over years of social, cultural, academic, and internal influences. Finding your own voice amongst those differing influences is powerful, but having the confidence and strength to lead with that voice and to listen to and raise up the voices around you is what makes an attorney inspiring. Law school is an excellent opportunity to volunteer for challenges and opportunities that will continue to define your voice and refine your leadership style.

What is a recent CWBA initiative that you are most proud of and why?

I am proud of the CWBA’s award-winning blog. The hours we spend as a committee discussing, planning, researching, writing, and editing articles have a direct impact on our community. We are able to analyze recent changes in the law, provide advice on professional development and advancement in the modern AI world, and highlight the accomplishments of attorneys making a remarkable impact in their communities or the legal profession.

From your own journey, what advice would you give to women currently in the law school admissions stage?

If I could convince female law students of one thing, it would be to pursue more opportunities that scare them, and especially to pursue more stereotypically or historically male paths. Joining the military, becoming a trial lawyer, and changing careers to a role where I advise companies facing fatalities at their worksites have been some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my professional career. I was terrified of failure walking into each one and have not regretted any of them. Take on the challenge that you think you are not smart enough or tough enough to accomplish. Get a degree in finance, run for office or a judgeship, or apply for an in-house counsel position with a sports team. You deserve that opportunity, and it could be an incredible experience that leads you down a path that gives you purpose and inspires women after you.

We're proud to feature insights from leaders like Anna “Annie” Sturges to help inspire women on their journey to law school.