Gender on Trial: Sexual Stereotypes and Work/Life Balance in the Legal Workplace

Rating:
Summary: Real Solutions for Breaking the "Glass Ceiling" in the Law
Review: English's book is a significant contribution to the literature
on gender-role stereotypes in the workplace.
First of all, it's written from both male and female perspectives and clearly demonstrates how both men and women
lawyers are limited by these stereotypes.
Secondly, she interweaves interview material and scholarship in such a way that the book is a pleasure to read (I coudln't put it down) and any lawyer, regardless of gender and work setting,
will find some person or perspective with which to identify.
Thirdly, English addresses the problems with sufficient
sophistication and complexity that she's able to suggest
concrete solutions and demonstrate that they are feasible.
In a profession where 50% of law school graduates are women but
only a few make it to the top, English's book is just what's needed to help empower women - and the profession - to work toward gender equity.
With all the benefits this book offers, I'll be encouraging all of my coaching clients to read it.

Rating:
Summary: There's light at the end of the tunnel!
Review: Gender on Trial is a very readable and thoughtful analysis of how cultural stereotypes about gender influence men and women's behavior at legal workplaces across the country. The author organizes hundreds of quotes form interviews with lawyers and presents them so well that her argument leaps off the page without any turgid or redundant narrative. Her colorful metaphors bring humor and depth to the story via catchy chapter headings and sub-headings, for example, in Chapter 3, she refers to law firms as "cauldrons of lust", a funny image for the legal profession. I never realized there was so much sexual activity going on behind closed(or not so closed) office doors!

As a female non-lawyer, many of the anecdotes rang true to me as I looked back on my own awkward experiences navigating the corporate world twenty years ago. Generally, I think professional workplace behavior is gradually becoming more sensitive to gender differences, but there is a long way to go. Gender on Trial should be mandatory reading for Human Resource professionals and both men and women in all managerial positions, not just lawyers.

Rating:
Summary: This book is a must!
Review: It is a stunningly thorough and insightful treatment of the topic. English offers us fine read for us non-lawyers who recognize the realities of gender as a part of the modern work place. Little of this is unique to the legal profession, though some of the extremities, arising out of the "live by the billable hour" business model, are perhaps particular to the legal and perhaps the consulting industries. English strikes a balanced tone and searches for realistic answers to the persistent questions of coping with gender in the work place. It all rings very true, including the extremely balanced approach and acknowledgement of the impossibility of eliminating, rather than managing, issues relating to gender in the work place. Her research is exhaustive, balanced and compelling. It is a must read for professionals in all fields, both men and women.

Rating:
Summary: A Trial for Gender on Trial: No Hung Jury on this Gem
Review: It is a stunningly thorough and insightful treatment of the topic. English offers us fine read for us non-lawyers who recognize the realities of gender as a part of the modern work place. Little of this is unique to the legal profession, though some of the extremities, arising out of the "live by the billable hour" business model, are perhaps particular to the legal and perhaps the consulting industries. English strikes a balanced tone and searches for realistic answers to the persistent questions of coping with gender in the work place. It all rings very true, including the extremely balanced approach and acknowledgement of the impossibility of eliminating, rather than managing, issues relating to gender in the work place. Her research is exhaustive, balanced and compelling. It is a must read for professionals in all fields, both men and women.

Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Look at Sociological Change in the Workplace
Review: This book contains invaluable information for women entering the law profession, but it is also recommended for anyone interested in learning more about sociological changes that have (and perhaps more importantly those that haven't) occurred in the workplace.

Ms. English has collected an impressive array of candid and insightful quotes from a multitude of male and female attorneys representing every region of the country. Well researched and written in a highly engaging style, GENDER ON TRIAL provides a window into the world of law regarding the dynamics of the gender differences, attitudes, and interactions that lie therein.

I suspected that I would learn a great deal from reading this book, but I didn't expect to enjoy it so much!

Rating:
Summary: This book is a must!
Review: This book is a must read for all people who are interested in work-life balance! If you have children and are a working mother, you will keenly identify with this book. If you are considering having children, get some insight on what to expect. If you are in a leadership capacity in your workplace, read this book and think about how you can best adapt your environment to the changing world. Our subtle daily actions can impact others in a variety of ways and this book points them out.