June 19, 2005

A Man's World

Rule #1: It's a man's world.

Rule #2: Not only is it a man's world, "good ole' boys" outnumber "gentlemen" three to one.

At least, that has been my experience.

I was barely twenty-six when I left "the firm" to hang out a shingle of my own. At the time I was practicing in the rather rural area of central Louisiana where there were some, but few other female attorneys.

While there were "gentlemen attorneys" about, the vast majority were just "good ole' boys." I distinguish the two by noting the latter group used each and every opportunity to gain advantage for themselves and their clients by openly undermining women personally and professionally.

In those days, most of the cases I handled were family law-related and dealt with divorce, child support, and custody.

To say emotions ran high with these types of cases was certainly an understatement. In addition to the conflicts and issues between the parties themselves, there was a great deal of distrust of the attorneys and the court system as a whole.

Ever the bull in the china closet, I attempted early on to foster my client's trust in me by dealing with them and having them see me deal with opposing counsel in an open and forthright manner.

Three weeks into my practice as a solo attorney, I had a client and her mother in my office. Local rules required counsel for both parties to a child support, visitation, or custody hearing to communicate with one another prior to hearing to exchange specific information.

As I prepared my client for hearing, my secretary buzzed me to say opposing counsel for the client before me was on line two. This particular opposing counsel was someone I had not yet spoken to or met.

Instead of picking up the receiver, I hit the button for the speaker phone and answered by identifying myself: "Christina (surname)."

The deeply male and booming voice on the other end repeated my name slowly, identified himself, then said: "Are you nekkid?"

Mortified, I grabbed the receiver, quickly said: "I'm sorry, I'm afraid you have the wrong number," and hung up.

Anyone care to guess which group that jackass fell into?

Posted by Christina at June 19, 2005 12:47 AM

Comments

I think the jackass group sums it up nicely.
I hope you had a good laugh about it afterwards.

Posted by: Rachel Ann at June 19, 2005 01:32 AM

Hey Christina....Are you nekkid? I'm just askin'. However, you wrote:

"While there were "gentlemen attorneys" about, the vast majority were just "good ole' boys." I distinguish the two by noting the latter group used each and every opportunity to gain advantage for themselves and their clients by openly undermining women personally and professionally."

I beg to differ with you on one minor point. Good Old Boys gain advantage by openly undermining EVERYONE personally and professionally.

Are you sure your not nekkid? Just Damn!

Posted by: Dax Montana at June 19, 2005 08:33 AM

Excellent point, Dax.

You may well be correct!

; )

And, ummmmm, I'm not tellin'. ; P

Posted by: Christina at June 19, 2005 09:02 AM

Heh. "No, I'm not nekked, and I sure as hell hope you're not either!"

That would have been my smartass response - at least I like to think so;-)

Posted by: sadie at June 19, 2005 05:08 PM

Certainly a Jackass through and through. What a first impression!

Of course, I know exactly what you're talking about from dealing with the OKC bar as :: spit :: staff for ten years.

Nowadays, I only deal with the NY bunch from afar. And with a few notable exceptions, I prefer it. Hah!

Posted by: Margi at June 19, 2005 08:52 PM

I might have said something like, "I'm sorry. I didn't get that. Perhaps you should consider pulling your head out of your ass while talking on the phone."

Posted by: Jim - PRS at June 19, 2005 09:54 PM

I've me that type, did I say met? I meant work with . . .

Posted by: Oddybobo at June 20, 2005 08:18 AM

Jackass! I know what you mean. I've been the only female here since I hired in in 1979. It was rough for a few years, but now we all know each other! They now just how far they can go before I pitch a fit. And I actually get respect from these guys, but I had to earn it.

Posted by: Junebugg at June 20, 2005 01:36 PM

Hmm Ms Fiesty, nice responce
but I'd have said something different I'm sure I would and as a guy I take offence at the excuse / jerk of a lawyer. Sheesh what a total jackass.
I'd have come up with some wit of the cuff remark that would get him right in the "3rd leg" if you know what I mean... Lucky there are some gentlemen in this world, unfortunatly we is spead a little thinly...

Posted by: Gopher at June 20, 2005 03:47 PM

Ugh. Yuck.

Posted by: WillyShake at June 21, 2005 11:40 AM

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