Ethical Issues within my

Vocation: Addressing CST

Jessica Holliday
Attorney Code of Ethics
On the left: Bar Association
professional rules of conduct
Preamble and Scope

https://www.americanbar.org/gro
ups/professional_responsibility/p
ublications/model_rules_of_profes
sional_conduct/model_rules_of_pr
ofessional_conduct_preamble_sco
pe/

On the right: Bar Association table

of contents of the professional
rules of conduct

https://www.americanbar.org/gro
ups/professional_responsibility/p
ublications/model_rules_of_profes
sional_conduct/model_rules_of_pr
ofessional_conduct_table_of_cont
ents/
Social Justice Issue: Gender Inequity in the Legal
Profession

● Gender inequality can be seen in any vocational path including the legal
field.
○ Not only within the hiring process, but also within lower wages, fewer promotions, and even
delegated to do “house work” within the firm.
○ Women are not taken as seriously as men within the legal profession
○ CST Themes:
■ Rights and Responsibilities
● It is the right of women to be paid fairly and treated equally within the legal field

■ Dignity of work and workers

● Ensuring the dignity and worth of women attorneys through making sure equal
and fair work is divided between genders as well as creating an environment
where women are not seen as secretaries
How Gender Inequality Affects Me

● As a woman entering the legal profession gender inequality will affect me

immensely.
○ In ways such as earning a lower salary than my male co-workers even when they have the
same experience as me within the field
○ Experiencing bias regarding promotions
○ Being given “easy” cases or even office work in comparison to male colleagues
○ Male colleagues may “get away” with mistakes or even harassment
“Making Strides Towards Gender Equality in the
Legal Profession”- American Bar Association

● This article comes straight from the

American Bar Association (everyone must
take and pass the bar to become a
certified lawyer)
● “Once women graduate from law school,
they leave our profession at alarming
rates. By age 50, women now account for
only 27% of the profession”
● This article discusses different studies
that have been done in regards to women
in the legal field as well as introducing The
Mansfield Rule.
The Mansfield Rule

● What is the Mansfield Rule?

○ The Mansfield rule was named after
Arabella Mansfield the first woman
admitted by the bar to practice law in
the United States
○ The firms who have signed on this
rule agree to actively consider
diverse candidates for at least 30%
of open leadership and governance
roles in the firm.
○ Major firms across the country have
signed onto the rule
“Female Lawyers Face Widespread Gender Bias,
According to New Study”

● This article discusses a wide range of

disadvantages women have within the
legal field such as:
○ Female lawyers being penalized for
Motherhood
○ Female lawyers being penalized for using
assertiveness
○ Female lawyers being more likely to be
interrupted
● This article also addresses possible
solutions to combat gender inequality in
the legal field including:
○ Listing hiring qualifications
○ Start a mentoring program for women
entering the field
“Gender Inequality in the Legal Profession”

● This video focuses on a wide variety

of inequalities facing women within
the legal profession
● Particular, within the concentration of
trust and estate litigation
● While, this is not the concentration I
would like to pursue, it is definitely
important to recognize the
differences within these
concentrations
Role Play Experience
What if They Disagree?
Summarization and What Have I Learned?

● From this presentation and role play I have

learned that it is extremely hard, but
important to have these conversations
especially with those in a more powerful
position. I found it even harder having to
advocate for myself as a woman in this field.
● In conclusion, gender inequality does not just
exist in the legal profession, but in most
professions whether that be through the pay
gap or even not being treated equally. It is an
issue that needs to be urgently addressed to
help women feel more secure within their
roles whatever that may be.
Reflection

● I found it very difficult to find the right words to address this situation. In a
way I felt that my dreams were being taken away from me. When my
employer disagreed with me on my views towards the equality of women I
felt shot down, but when I was able to further express myself I felt
empowered. Empowered that I was able to stick up for not only myself, but
other women within the legal profession.
● I felt it was better to approach this role play without a script since most
likely in these real life situations I would not have a script on what to say. It
would all be based on what my boss says in response.
References
Elsesser, K. (2018, October 5). Female lawyers face widespread gender bias, according to New Study. Forbes. Retrieved February 28,
2022, from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2018/10/01/female-lawyers-face-widespread-gender-bias-according-to-new-study/?sh=
675c00a34b55

Refo, P. (2019, February 14). Making Strides Towards Gender Equality in the Legal Profession. Americanbar.org. Retrieved February 28,
2022, from https://www.americanbar.org/groups/business_law/publications/committee_newsletters/bcl/2019/201902/fa_7/

The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. (2021). Gender Inequality in the Legal Profession l The American College of Trust
and Estate Counsel. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGmvbZDx9Xk&t=37s.