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How this lawyer responded to being told she was ‘too ditzy for litigation’
Here, Jessica Karevski recounts a pivotal experience that left her questioning not only her career trajectory but also the prevailing culture within law firms following a startling conversation with a former employer.
Grace Robbie
Speaking on a recent episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, Jessica Karevski, a lawyer from L N Christie & Co, shared a deeply personal experience involving a discussion with a former employer in which, while advocating for herself, she found herself taken aback by the outdated rationale that led to her rejection.
Karevski recounted how, after gaining experience working at a law firm, she proactively initiated a discussion regarding her desire to expand her responsibilities and explore different roles within the firm, specifically in the area of litigation.
“I remember sitting down and having a very candid conversation with a former employer of mine and wanting to share with him some of my career goals and aspirations.
“I was at the firm for quite a number of months at that point in time. I thought I demonstrated my skill set and my ambition, and I said I would really love to put my hand up for a different role in a different area,” she said.
But in a moment filled with determination, Karevski’s enthusiasm was abruptly met with a curt dismissive remark that would rattle anyone’s confidence: “No, no, no, you’re just too ditzy for litigation.”
She said: “I remember just having a step back, not knowing how to actually respond to that comment, thinking, what does that even mean? I know that I’m very flamboyant. I mean, I’m wearing sequins on my shirt today [as we record this episode].”
After receiving this dismantling feedback, Karevski revealed her awareness that she doesn’t conform to the conventional “cookie-cutter mould” of a typical lawyer. However, she found the response to be discouraging, particularly in light of the dedication and effort she had demonstrated.
“I know that I have a unique personality, and I’m very vibrant, and I know that I probably don’t fit the mould of that cookie-cutter mould of what a lawyer should look like.
“But I said, surely, with what I’ve demonstrated to you, my ability to meet billable targets, my ability to liaise and create networks with not only clients but other relevant stakeholders [proved myself],” she said.
Confronted with a significant setback, Karevski sought the wisdom and support of a mentor, who reinforced her conviction that antiquated judgements have no place in a professional setting, particularly within a demanding field such as law.
“I know when that comment was made, I was taken aback. I didn’t know how to proceed with that. I did go and approach someone who I would consider a mentor, and I explained to them what had happened, and she commented the same thing. She said that’s just inappropriate in all sense,” she said.
“The landscape in which lawyers are now coming up the ranks is changing. There are now different personalities coming through, [and] there are different ways in which we can resolve disputes.”
