Blazing a Trail for Women in STEM — and the Law

How things have changed.

Ten years ago, I conducted my very first jury trial. Back then, I was the only woman at counsel’s table — at either counsel’s table to be more precise. In a way, that was progress. During law school, I frequently sat in on depositions, hearings and trials where female representation was limited to court reporters and the occasional paralegal. Even the witnesses were predominately male since their testimony typically involved STEM disciplines.

In those days, it was surprising to opposing counsel when women would appear on behalf of a client. A short time later, when I began practicing law, it was not unusual for several of my colleagues and I to be mistaken for court reporters during depositions. In fact, opposing counsel were often shocked that I was allowed to depose witnesses at all, much less without supervision.