Mischka
Ms Snooby Pants
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2001
- Posts
- 15,820
I don’t know if I’m overreacting, so I thought I’d explain the situation here and ask for comments. I’ve been stewing over this all day.
I’m in my first year of law school at a top tier school. One of the major assignments this semester has been to present an oral argument before a panel of judges. We pair up, research, draft a brief, and then present the argument as a team. I was informally told to select a male partner, because an all-female team appears “weak.” Being 5’10” (and hence scraping 6’ in heels), I had difficulty finding a suitable (read – taller) and articulate partner, but I finally did. He’s been a great partner, so no complaints there.
Yesterday we presented our argument. Three males judges, with two males presenting the defendant’s position, and my partner and I arguing for the plaintiff. I spoke first, and was amazed at how any nervousness washed away in seconds. I was completely at ease discussing the nuances of the law, and I really enjoyed the experience. The time seemed to fly by.
After the competition, the judges critiqued our performances. I received excellent marks in all categories: I answered all questions with ease and full knowledge of the supporting case law; I was able to quickly transition back to my argument after answering the questions; my closing was superb (that’s what they said, this is not just my opinion). The one exception to my great review was that I wasn’t friendly enough. The other students received average to above average marks, but were all specifically told that they seemed nicer than me.
This would be a fair comment if I intentionally presented myself as an uber-bitch, but I am considered rather friendly. However, I am an assertive woman, with no problem speaking up and an obvious command of the subject matter. So I was left with the distinct impression that the criticism was not based so much on an alleged unfriendly disposition, but on my gender. Was their criticism that I was acting too much “like a man?” Or am I entirely blowing this out of proportion?
I’m in my first year of law school at a top tier school. One of the major assignments this semester has been to present an oral argument before a panel of judges. We pair up, research, draft a brief, and then present the argument as a team. I was informally told to select a male partner, because an all-female team appears “weak.” Being 5’10” (and hence scraping 6’ in heels), I had difficulty finding a suitable (read – taller) and articulate partner, but I finally did. He’s been a great partner, so no complaints there.
Yesterday we presented our argument. Three males judges, with two males presenting the defendant’s position, and my partner and I arguing for the plaintiff. I spoke first, and was amazed at how any nervousness washed away in seconds. I was completely at ease discussing the nuances of the law, and I really enjoyed the experience. The time seemed to fly by.
After the competition, the judges critiqued our performances. I received excellent marks in all categories: I answered all questions with ease and full knowledge of the supporting case law; I was able to quickly transition back to my argument after answering the questions; my closing was superb (that’s what they said, this is not just my opinion). The one exception to my great review was that I wasn’t friendly enough. The other students received average to above average marks, but were all specifically told that they seemed nicer than me.
This would be a fair comment if I intentionally presented myself as an uber-bitch, but I am considered rather friendly. However, I am an assertive woman, with no problem speaking up and an obvious command of the subject matter. So I was left with the distinct impression that the criticism was not based so much on an alleged unfriendly disposition, but on my gender. Was their criticism that I was acting too much “like a man?” Or am I entirely blowing this out of proportion?
