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Juris Education interviewed Rebecca Gilliland, President of ESRBA, Principal at Beasley Allen Law Firm, for an exclusive look at what sets the Trial Advocacy Program apart. Our experts bring these expert perspectives into our law school admissions consulting to help every applicant craft a standout, competitive application.
Find a group of female attorneys! you should definitely keep in touch with your law school classmates, but also look within your firm and within your community. Don’t forget that female attorneys with different practice areas or on the other side of the “v” can offer some of the best career advice, so don’t limit your circle to only your own age group or practice area. I am a plaintiffs’ lawyer, practicing in, primarily, insurance, antitrust, class actions, and attorney general litigation. But some of my best attorney friends are construction lawyers or defense attorneys. We almost never overlap but it is so helpful to “compare notes” on how the practice of law is different for each of us (and how it’s the same).
I feel like there has been a bigger push in the last few years to discuss work/life balance. But, despite all attorneys making a concerted effort to recognize the importance of balance, women self-impose more pressure on ourselves. I think it comes from societal pressure to be a perfect mother, wife, or daughter and also working 60 hours a week in law practice—particularly as a young associate. I had a conversation with a classmate right around the time we were graduating law school and she commented that she believed it was impossible to be both a good mother and a good lawyer. At the time, I already had two kids (I’ve since had two more). She wasn’t trying to offend me and I didn’t take it in an offensive way. I simply told her that I disagreed and I think you have to take a hard look at what you consider a “good” mom or attorney. you can certainly do both so long as you recognize that neither is a competition against other women (see my prior response regarding forming a circle) or other lawyers.
One of my favorite things at my law firm, Beasley Allen, is getting to work with our law clerks. I try to let them all experience various aspects of practice even if they won’t be at the firm long enough to see a case through from client intake to trial or settlement. When I have female students as clerks, I spend a little bit of extra time with them to share some of my experiences and tips I’ve learned from other, more experienced female lawyers. I think that most attorneys want to be a mentor. But, maybe they aren’t sure how to get started! The best advice I can give is to seek out those opportunities. You can start by asking your professors if they have any friends that are currently in practice to whom they can introduce you. Then, make sure those contacts know you are wanting to meet with them to get their general advice, not just hoping for a foot in the door when it comes to job opportunities. If you have an intern or clerk position, talk to your direct supervisor or whichever attorney you are most comfortable speaking with.
Organization, efficiency, and multi-tasking. In my own life, it is at least partially driven by family. Having children and needing to keep them on track with school and also making sure things are taken care of with our home, I find myself constantly focused on the most efficient way to do things (to the great annoyance of my husband). Keeping organized on what needs to happen when and the order to do things with the least wasted time/space, has helped tremendously in my law practice. So, I don’t know if it is because women are naturally more organized or because we have to be more organized to strike that work/life balance, but that is how it has played out in my practice.
Also, women seem to be better at jumping back and forth between multiple tasks without losing much time repeating or catching back up to where they left off. When it comes to a busy law practice where you have more than a handful of cases, this is part of day-to-day life. Organization and efficiency are relatively easy to practice. Keep on top of your tasks, schedule things, and as you repeat tasks, pay attention to what worked best and adapt. I think it is harder to prepare for effective multi-tasking, but it is something that most law students are at least familiar with having to master! With multiple classes, research projects, internships, law review, and still managing their living circumstances, they’re already doing it.
For more information on Escambia Santa Rosa Bar Association, visit https://www.esrba.com/.
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