Gender on Trial: Sexual Stereotypes and Work/Life Balance in the Legal Workplace

by Holly English

A Critical look at gender stereotypes in the legal profession This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1588521095
• ISBN13: 9781588521095
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Alm Media, LLC
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Trial for Gender on Trial: No Hung Jury on this Gem

It is a stunningly thorough and insightful treatment of the topic. English offers us fine read for us non-lawyers who recognize the realities of gender as a part of the modern work place. Little of this is unique to the legal profession, though some of the extremities, arising out of the "live by the billable hour" business model, are perhaps particular to the legal and perhaps the consulting industries. English strikes a balanced tone and searches for realistic answers to the persistent questions of coping with gender in the work place. It all rings very true, including the extremely balanced approach and acknowledgement of the impossibility of eliminating, rather than managing, issues relating to gender in the work place. Her research is exhaustive, balanced and compelling. It is a must read for professionals in all fields, both men and women.

There's light at the end of the tunnel!

This book is a highly entertaining road map to a not-too-distant future in which "work/life balance in the legal workplace" will be a given for both sexes, a world in which a well-balanced, well-lived life becomes the rule rather than the exception.As a practicing attorney (male) of thirty years (and an all-too-frequent casualty of the dreaded fourteen hour days), I found this book to be informative, eye-opening, and most of all, encouraging. Ms. English makes a compelling case for accepting and embracing change. Her book should be required reading at every law firm in America.

Not Just for Lawyers

Gender on Trial is a very readable and thoughtful analysis of how cultural stereotypes about gender influence men and women's behavior at legal workplaces across the country. The author organizes hundreds of quotes form interviews with lawyers and presents them so well that her argument leaps off the page without any turgid or redundant narrative. Her colorful metaphors bring humor and depth to the story via catchy chapter headings and sub-headings, for example, in Chapter 3, she refers to law firms as "cauldrons of lust", a funny image for the legal profession. I never realized there was so much sexual activity going on behind closed(or not so closed) office doors!As a female non-lawyer, many of the anecdotes rang true to me as I looked back on my own awkward experiences navigating the corporate world twenty years ago. Generally, I think professional workplace behavior is gradually becoming more sensitive to gender differences, but there is a long way to go. Gender on Trial should be mandatory reading for Human Resource professionals and both men and women in all managerial positions, not just lawyers.

Real Solutions for Breaking the "Glass Ceiling" in the Law

English's book is a significant contribution to the literatureon gender-role stereotypes in the workplace.First of all, it's written from both male and female perspectives and clearly demonstrates how both men and womenlawyers are limited by these stereotypes.Secondly, she interweaves interview material and scholarship in such a way that the book is a pleasure to read (I coudln't put it down) and any lawyer, regardless of gender and work setting,will find some person or perspective with which to identify.Thirdly, English addresses the problems with sufficientsophistication and complexity that she's able to suggestconcrete solutions and demonstrate that they are feasible.In a profession where 50% of law school graduates are women butonly a few make it to the top, English's book is just what's needed to help empower women - and the profession - to work toward gender equity.With all the benefits this book offers, I'll be encouraging all of my coaching clients to read it.

A MUST-READ FOR THOSE OF US WORKING IN THE LEGAL WORKPLACE

Finally! This is the book I always wished someone would write. Gender on Trial reveals the real story of what goes on behind the closed doors of the legal workplace. In fact, this book blows those doors wide open. Ms. English uses compelling first-person accounts to expose the oppressive gender stereotyping many assume was a battle long ago waged and won. And this book is not just about women's issues. Men in the legal workplace face subtler, yet no less insidious, gender stereotyping and Ms. English weaves their personal histories into the narrative as well. What is really important about this book are the original solutions about how to overcome gender stereotyping, as well as concrete steps you can take today to effect real change in your legal workplace. Highly recommended!