LAW 1072: Gender Equity in the Legal Profession: Issues & Solutions
Fall 2023 • Section 21 • CRN 53757

Course Description

The course will examine forms of bias (e.g., Confirmation Bias, Prove-it-Again Bias, Tightrope Bias, Motherhood and Workplace Bias), and the difficulties of combatting implicit bias because it is often subtle and hidden. The course will also cover the impact of implicit biases. This will include unequal representation in various fields of and roles in practice, (e.g., the underrepresentation of women as first chairs at trial, lead negotiators, and patent and IP practice, just by way of examples.) It will also examine the impact of these biases in, e.g., performance evaluations, access to mentoring, high-quality assignments, networking opportunities, fair pay, promotions, as well as being mistaken for administrative staff and/or asked to perform “office housework.” The course will then focus on an analysis of methods to combat or “interrupt” biases. This portion of the course will focus on solutions, including institutional best practices, the importance of allies and mentors, grit and growth mindsets, and the ways law, regulatory regimes and ethical rules can be utilized to bring about change. The course will conclude with studies in leadership, equipping students to recognize and seize opportunities to manage their own professional journey and to level the playing field for everyone. This will be a highly interactive course utilizing contemporary materials to situate bias against women in the context of the legal profession. Students will be expected to analyze materials, engage in interactive role-playing exercises, and develop creative and workable solutions to situational problems. Serial written assignments will include research topics (what the law is) as well as problem-solving (what the law could be) proposals.

Book List/Materials