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Archi Pyati is the CEO of Tahirih Justice Center.
Women in law continue to face structural barriers, including unequal access to leadership opportunities, pay inequity, bias in hiring and promotion, caregiving penalties, harassment, and workplace cultures that do not support everyone equally.
But I would challenge the idea that the responsibility rests with the next generation of female attorneys to “overcome” those barriers. Women have been adapting, persisting, and excelling in the legal profession for generations. The greater responsibility lies with law firms, courts, bar associations, law schools, and those already in positions of power to identify and dismantle the systems that continue to produce inequitable outcomes.
Tahirih provides interdisciplinary legal and social services to immigrant survivors of gender-based violence who qualify for protection under U.S. law. The people we serve often face distinct barriers to safety and justice, and our work helps ensure that their legal and human rights are recognized and protected.
It’s hard to narrow down one initiative this year. I am proud of Tahirih’s recent impact litigation and policy advocacy defending the rights of immigrant survivors—and all people—to live in safety and with dignity.
As an attorney, I appreciate every stage of a case—from the first intake conversation to the filing of a brief and, ultimately, a successful outcome. But those victories are only possible because of the extraordinary contributions of our social services professionals, advocates, fundraisers, communications staff, pro bono partners, and many others.
Most of all, I am proud to stand alongside the courageous survivors who continue to assert their rights and pursue safety every day. It is a privilege to support them.
Throughout the last 25 years, I have worked with people of all genders who bring critical qualities and skills to the successful practice of law. Some of the most beneficial qualities include humility and an eagerness to learn. Successful attorneys, regardless of gender, are often skilled listeners, analytical thinkers, and nonjudgmental observers. They are client-centered, inclusive decision-makers. And they think first about how they can add value, not how others can serve them. Women, gender non-conforming individuals, LGBTQIA+ folks, and people from immigrant and minority ethnic backgrounds who believe they have these qualities and skills can begin to prepare for a possible career in the law by learning to listen to their own voices and trust the deep well of their experiences. It is hard to grow up without a sense of entitlement to systemic power, but it teaches us a lot as well. With education, self-love, and supportive community, we can empower ourselves to not only practice law and earn a living, but to defend the rule of law, seek justice, and be the architects of our nation’s future. We are all worthy and needed, so don’t delay.
After graduating from college, I applied for many jobs in the human rights and conflict resolution fields but didn’t get a single offer. I ended up calling a few people who rejected me to ask why, and one person was kind enough to say that my desire to make change was bigger than my education or skills would allow. “Go to law school,” he said. So, I got to work making that happen. I looked for schools with course offerings that got me excited and would prepare me for a career in human rights. I also looked for summer public interest opportunities and professors who had connections with human rights organizations. I am grateful I had a chance to go to law school because it opened up the possibility of paid summers overseas, an Equal Justice Works fellowship, and a career doing what I love.
We're proud to feature insights from leaders like Archi Pyati to help inspire women on their journey to law school.
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