Gender Trials: Emotional Lives in Contemporary Law Firms by Jennifer L. Pierce (

Description: Gender Trials by Jennifer L. Pierce An ethnography that examines the gendered nature of large corporate law firms. Although increasing numbers of women have become lawyers in the past decade, it discovers that the double standards and sexist attitudes of legal bureaucracies are a continuing problem for women lawyers and paralegals. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description This engaging ethnography examines the gendered nature of todays large corporate law firms. Although increasing numbers of women have become lawyers in the past decade, Jennifer Pierce discovers that the double standards and sexist attitudes of legal bureaucracies are a continuing problem for women lawyers and paralegals.Working as a paralegal, Pierce did ethnographic research in two law offices, and her depiction of the legal world is quite unlike the glamorized version seen on television. Pierce tellingly portrays the dilemma that female attorneys face: a woman using tough, aggressive tactics-the ideal combative litigator-is often regarded as brash or even obnoxious by her male colleagues. Yet any lack of toughness would mark her as ineffective.Women paralegals also face a double bind in corporate law firms. While lawyers depend on paralegals for important work, they also expect these women-for most paralegals are women-to nurture them and affirm their superior status in the office hierarchy. Paralegals who mother their bosses experience increasing personal exploitation, while those who do not face criticism and professional sanction. Male paralegals, Pierce finds, do not encounter the same difficulties that female paralegals do.Pierce argues that this gendered division of labor benefits men politically, economically, and personally. However, she finds that women lawyers and paralegals develop creative strategies for resisting and disrupting the male-dominated status quo. Her lively narrative and well-argued analysis will be welcomed by anyone interested in todays gender politics and business culture. Flap "This is an exciting contribution to our understanding of gender and emotion in workplaces everywhere."--Arlie Hochschild, author of The Second Shift and The Managed Heart "As a participant observer and insightful critic of lawyers workplaces, Jennifer Pierce gives us a richly detailed picture of sex-based inequality and the strategies necessary to address it."--Deborah L. Rhode, Director, Keck Center on Legal Ethics and the Legal Profession, Stanford University " Gender Trials is an important addition to the literature on gender and work. In studying each gender within different jobs (litigator, paralegal) and different jobs within each gender, Pierce uncovers the complexities and contradictions of doing gender in contemporary law firms. The phrases Rambo litigator and mothering paralegal capture the normative and behavioral convergences of job and gender in these firms. In analysing resistance as well as compliance, and the emotional and identity costs associated with both dynamics, Pierce produces an insightful, and disturbing, picture of legal practice in our time."--Patricia Yancey Martin, Florida State University "Pierces lively first-hand account of women and men at work in several law firms greatly expands our empirical and theoretical understanding of what it means to say that occupations and work organizations are gendered."--Miriam Johnson, University of Oregon Author Biography Jennifer L. Pierce is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Minnesota. Long Description This engaging ethnography examines the gendered nature of todays large corporate law firms. Although increasing numbers of women have become lawyers in the past decade, Jennifer Pierce discovers that the double standards and sexist attitudes of legal bureaucracies are a continuing problem for women lawyers and paralegals. Working as a paralegal, Pierce did ethnographic research in two law offices, and her depiction of the legal world is quite unlike the glamorized version seen on television. Pierce tellingly portrays the dilemma that female attorneys face: a woman using tough, aggressive tactics--the ideal combative litigator--is often regarded as brash or even obnoxious by her male colleagues. Yet any lack of toughness would mark her as ineffective. Women paralegals also face a double bind in corporate law firms. While lawyers depend on paralegals for important work, they also expect these women--for most paralegals are women--to nurture them and affirm their superior status in the office hierarchy. Paralegals who mother their bosses experience increasing personal exploitation, while those who do not face criticism and professional sanction. Male paralegals, Pierce finds, do not encounter the same difficulties that female paralegals do. Pierce argues that this gendered division of labor benefits men politically, economically, and personally. However, she finds that women lawyers and paralegals develop creative strategies for resisting and disrupting the male-dominated status quo. Her lively narrative and well-argued analysis will be welcomed by anyone interested in todays gender politics and business culture. Details ISBN0520201086 Author Jennifer L. Pierce Short Title GENDER TRIALS Pages 276 Publisher University of California Press Language English ISBN-10 0520201086 ISBN-13 9780520201088 Media Book Format Paperback Year 1996 Imprint University of California Press Subtitle Emotional Lives in Contemporary Law Firms Country of Publication United States Place of Publication Berkerley Birth 1958 Illustrations black & white illustrations DOI 10.1604/9780520201088 UK Release Date 1996-02-15 AU Release Date 1996-02-15 NZ Release Date 1996-02-15 US Release Date 1996-02-15 Publication Date 1996-02-15 DEWEY 347.30082 Audience Professional & Vocational We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:159403421;

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