Four women working in law came to พรพรสำฦต in March to share their stories as participants in roundtable and panel discussions. Christine Amalfe, Avery Blank โ08, Natalia Delgado โ03, and the Honorable Karen Peters talked about how they got into law as well as the triumphs and challenges of their careers. Here are some highlights.
โ[Women] look at a job description and say โI donโt have eight of the ten qualifications, so Iโm not going to do it,โ and the men look at it and say, โI have two of the ten qualifications, Iโm prepared.โ In this case, I had none of the qualifications [to defend employment cases] other than I was a good trial lawyer โฆ but I learned it. Iโm now chairing the department, and I have about 14 lawyers who work for me.โ
โ Christine Amalfe Pโ16, chair, Employment and Labor Law Department, Gibbons P.C.
โSo many people, so many women, wait for permission to do something, but Iโd had it, so I said โIโm going out on my own.โ Now I have my own consultancy, where I work with individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of women.โ
โ Avery Blank โ08, policy attorney and womenโs advocate
โAs a woman and as a person of color, the biggest sense of satisfaction that I got was winning โ when they werenโt ready at all for you to do anything that you just did, because they discounted you from the moment you walked in the door, based on your physical appearance alone.โ
โ Natalia Delgado โ03, deputy chief legal counsel, Illinois State Police
Early in her career, Karen Peters found herself needing to prove herself to the men she worked with and to the judges with whom she interacted. In one case, a judge asked her if her title was Miss or Mrs., to which she responded, โItโs Ms.โ The judge kept repeating his question. They drew the attention of the 100 male lawyers in the room, and Peters said, โJudge, itโs Ms. If youโre not capable of calling me by that term, when you take a recess, Iโd be happy to come to your chambers and tutor you.โ
โ The Honorable Judge Karen Peters, presiding justice, Third Appellate Division, NYS