I’m a third-year associate in Big Law and struggling with getting external respect, especially from clients (mostly men). Internally, things are going well—I recently had a 1-on-1 with a partner, and the feedback from the team was that I’m sharp, have a high level of expertise, and am thorough in my work. People enjoy working with me, and I feel confident in my abilities.
However, when it comes to clients (especially men), I often feel ignored. I’ll reach out, share drafts, and try to engage, but they won’t respond. Yet, as soon as the partner follows up, they immediately reply. I can’t shake the feeling that they don’t take me seriously.
I think part of it is how I look—I’m blonde, look quite young for my age (I could probably pass for 20), and don’t necessarily fit the stereotypical “lawyer” image. I sometimes get the sense that people assume I’m less competent or that I’m only there for show rather than for my skills, which is frustrating.
Has anyone else experienced this in Big Law? How did you navigate it? Would love any advice from others who have been in a similar position!