Faye is teaching female attorneys not to make the assumptions she did: that hard work is all it takes to be seen. Previously a lawyer working within the Canadian government, when her boss retired, her job retired too, which was a shock. She now runs Her Legal Global, an international community which empowers women in law through practical skill development and mentorship, in Canada and the United States.
Key Moments:
- Faye’s story (02:00)
- Career successes, failures, and discovering yourself (16:50)
- How Her Legal Global provides a new environment for female lawyers (25:10)
- What Faye Gelb wants to see changed in the legal profession (31:36)
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MEMORABLE QUOTES
“If I could go back, I would have been much more proactive and strategic about my development and my career.”
“Back in March this year I went on to LinkedIn to network and I started talking to women…I realized that in the last almost 30 years since I was called, not a lot has changed, they face the same challenges…. I really thought: ‘What is it, why can’t we have a better way… Why is it the same-old, same-old after this many years? We have all these different initiatives!’”
“If you want to have pay equity, start negotiating from the beginning. So, how do you do that if you’re timid or you’ve never been taught? Where do you get those skills? Who’s going to teach you?”
“We need to define success for ourselves and with law it becomes a ‘big picture’ success, always. Most people see success in law as getting into law school, graduating law school, getting your first job, getting a certain pay rate, making a certain position in the firm, but every day we have success and if we only relate our achievements to these big goals then it sets us up for perfectionism. And to be crushed when things don’t go [as planned].”
CONNECT WITH FAYE GELB
Lawyer Faye Gelb is the founder of Her Legal Global, a private online community for women in law to empower their careers. Women have a shared experience in law that is consistent regardless of where they live or practice. Our community provides the space, expert information, mentors, and virtual coffees to support and help women overcome obstacles. We are strategic, proactive, and innovative in our approach. Love your career!
Her Legal Global: https://www.herlegalglobal.com/
Faye’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fayegelb/
Her Legal Global on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/69240862/
OUR FAVORITE HER LEGAL GLOBAL BLOGS
- Interviews with First Generation Lawyers on Success in Law
https://www.herlegalglobal.com/first-generation-lawyers-on-succeeding-in-law/ - Pivoting Your Legal Career
https://www.herlegalglobal.com/9-tips-to-pivot-your-legal-career/ - Becoming a Resilient Lawyer: What that Means, Why, and How!
https://www.herlegalglobal.com/6-steps-to-being-a-more-resilient-lawyer/
Have comments, questions, or concerns? Contact us at feedback@1958lawyer.com
“The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” still defines the business of law…
It’s time for a change.
If you’re a lawyer, you’re familiar with the ABA article “The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” which gives our podcast its title, and its inspiration. That article was the start of the billable hour for law firms…And the last major change to the business of law, 70+ years ago now. Well, it’s past time for another change.
This podcast is all about bucking the status quo of the business of law. Your hosts Ron Bockstahler and Kirsten Mayfield run Amata Law Office Suites, providing law firms an alternative to the traditional fixed-cost business model that places unwanted stress on attorneys to work long hours that often-times lead to burn out, broken relationships and in many cases substance abuse. Each week they’ll discuss alternatives to the 12 hours days, endless rotation of clerks and paralegals, and the expensive offices leased to impress clients who rarely show up in person anymore. They’ll interview successful lawyers who are doing law differently, and finding a work-life balance while still running a successful firm.
Do you want to find a better way to run your law firm? It’s time for the next big change in the business of law, and you’ll get it here on The 1958 Lawyer.
