Persuasion Skills for Women Attorneys

I went to an ALI-ABA session recently on "Persuasion Skills for Women Attorneys." It contained some good public speaking tips, but left me depressed. Don't be shrill. Don't be whiny. Don't be bitchy. Don't be bossy. Only be emotional in certain ways. Be professional and formal, but just warm enough that you're still considered feminine.

I cannot imagine a room full of male attorneys sitting there taking notes on how to be just masculine enough, but not too masculine. I can't imagine men being told to do voice exercises to pitch their voice differently.

The presenter kept saying things like, "I know this may seem sexist, but that's life." Sad, but true. Instead of sessions like this, we should have "Women Are Attorneys: Deal With It" for senior partners.