Women in law firms are still the object of unacceptable attentions

Last month a couple of international law firms sought to provide women lawyers with a few bits of advice. One emailed a five-page memo to female associates at their New York office entitled 'Presentation Tips for Women.'

It included hard-hitting advice such as 'Don't giggle,' and 'Pretend you're in moot court, not the high school cafeteria.' ?A section headed 'What Not to Wear' produced the following gems: 'Make sure you can stand in your heels' and 'No-one ?heard Hillary the day she showed cleavage.'

The memo followed a blog post on the website of a prominent London firm. Written for the benefit of new trainees, ?it was a lengthy list of sartorial dos and don'ts. 'Boys' were instructed: 'For goodness' sake wear socks.' The 'girls' were told to avoid 'jungle print short suits,' and to invest in non-VPL knickers. The post was later removed from the firm's website, with a spokesman citing "inappropriate language".

The language? That's the tip?of the iceberg. What were the authors thinking? Their advice, as one 'upset' female recipient ?of the 'Presentation Tips' ?memo noted, is of an elementary nature.

Since our firm opened its doors more than 30 years ago, we have welcomed many new men and women to our team. ?In truth, I cannot recall needing to make style or presentation suggestions to any of them.

If you are sufficiently gifted, talented and hardworking to land the position in the first place, then chances are you ?are already acutely conscious ?of the scrutiny that may be directed at your dress, tone ?and demeanour.

What annoys me more than anything is that even now, in 2013, a disproportionate amount of such scrutiny is still reserved for female lawyers. Our profession has worked hard to reverse its female-unfriendly image and, just last month, the annual Law Society Excellence Awards was declared to be a "great night for women."

Reading emails and blog posts like those above, however, provide a stark reminder that not everything has changed. SJ

Marilyn Stowe is senior partner at Stowe Family Law

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