Our Interview With Shira Katz Scanlon, Esq., President Of Women Owned Law

Shira Katz Scanlon, Esq. is the President of Women Owned Law and Shareholder at Martine, Katz Scanlon & Schimmel, P.A.

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

There is no question that we have made progress since our mother’s generation with more women in partnership roles and board rooms, and more women experiencing true partnerships in their personal lives. However, women are largely still expected to carry the invisible mental loads that keep things going. For instance, when there is an office birthday, women — including highly educated, professional women — are disproportionately the ones planning the celebration and cleaning up after it. Having a community of similarly situated women to rely on for support, guidance, and friendship is invaluable. There is no substitute for being able to connect with other women who have successfully navigated repeatedly being mistaken for a paralegal or the court reporter and seeing how they have built thriving law practices and other businesses.

Which lessons can aspiring women lawyers take with them as they begin their legal journey?

Imposter syndrome can tell you lies that feel incredibly true. For generations, girls were taught to be small, so women often sacrificed themselves in favor of what others wanted; it’s our turn to take up space, make our voices heard, and make an impact. You are smart and capable, and you can do hard things. Never hesitate to ask for help if you need it, because needing help does not make you unworthy. Everyone who succeeds does so with a system supporting them, whether they acknowledge that or not. This is a key founding principle of Women Owned Law, because we recognize how important it is to support one another and, when necessary, unlearn the lies we have been told or tell ourselves. Be unapologetically you, work hard, and don’t let anyone dull your shine.

From your perspective, which qualities or skills set apart women lawyers who thrive in competitive environments, and how can students begin cultivating those now?

Women are often expected to juggle many different things at once. The ability to adapt to what is asked of us is a competitive edge, but our pack mentality is a superpower. The generation that came before me was cutthroat and felt the need to “act like men” in order to succeed. I have always believed that everything uniquely feminine gives us the ability to achieve greater levels of success. We can be zealous advocates, empathetic listeners, savvy business owners, and kind humans all at once.

What's a recent Women Owned Law initiative that you are most proud of and why?

We are gearing up to present our third Women Owned Law Firm Boot Camp in the fall! I co-chaired the first two Boot Camps, so it is very near and dear to me, and I’m excited about this initiative continuing and going strong to help support up and coming women law firm owners. Boot Camp is a three-hour program designed for women who can see themselves starting their own law firm, whether imminently or eventually. Attendees range from law student to very seasoned lawyers ready to hang their shingle, and plenty of Women Owned Law members also attend so everyone can learn from one another’s experiences. We cover the basics and things you should think about before you open your own firm, and how to run your firm like a woman.

We're proud to feature insights from leaders like Shira Katz Scanlon to help inspire women on their journey to law school.