Page 25 - Delaware Lawyer - Winter 2019

was all women, but above me were two men. When I left that office and went to work for the County, the entire top has always been men — through four administrations.
SA: At the end of 2008, when I came to the AG’s office, the Chief County Pros- ecutor was a woman; she was taking her maternity leave and it was not an issue. I felt like this was a place where I could fit in. Having that visibility, that role model to look to — but if you don’t have that, you’re like, where do I fit in?
PW: There are women of color out there, but I don’t think it’s about diversity. I think it’s about inclusion. Sometimes you’re not going to walk through a door, when you know you’re not going to be included once you get in. If there was a sense of, yes, we’re going to welcome you when you come in, you would see more diverse women, all over the place. I do think there is diversity. I just think it’s not inclusive enough.
TM: I think that might be the general perception of our field. It’s not just where you are going to work, it’s the entire practice itself. It’s how you are treated by other members of the bar. If I take the
When you come in and sit down at the table, do they realize you are the attorney? Or, do they think you are the client? Or, the paralegal? Or, the social worker?
same tack as my male counterparts, how is that perceived?
When you come in and sit down at the table, do they realize you are the attor- ney? Or, do they think you are the client? Or, the paralegal? Or, the social worker?
There has to be an overall culture change. You can have an inclusive work environment, a place where you are cel- ebrated and supported and pushed for- ward, but if every time you walk into an adversarial setting — because that’s what we do — you are treated poorly by your opponent and at times the bench, it be- comes taxing.
You might decide, is there something different I can do with this degree, where I’m not going to be put in that situation?
NH: I can say there are litigants that are surprised to see me on the bench. I think it’s really important to have hearing of- ficers that represent us as a society. I feel like we need more Latina judges and Asian judges. There are whole groups of people in our society that are not repre- sented on the bench. However, I feel like the judiciary is definitely making prog- ress. I feel that Family Court is actually doing well right now with the number of female hearing officers on the bench.
However, you have to wonder, why are there so many females only in Family Court? Why aren’t we adequately repre- sented on the Superior Court or Supreme Court? Chancery Court has recently in- creased its diversity with several new fe- male appointments, which is moving the judiciary forward.
TM: I think you could do that in every court and state agency. If you look, you’re going to see a male-dominated field.
SA: You do think about who is on the bench. When school is calling and you think, “is judge so-and-so going to un- derstand that I might have to leave?”
TM: I have to say, when I practiced in Family Court, all of the male judges were very understanding and respect- ful. It’s just the dynamic when you are in the courtroom with a male judge, male counterparts, and you are representing a female. The client walks in and they go, “is anyone really going to understand my side of the case, other than my law- yer?” It’s really hard to come in front of a judge, and you’ve never had this experi- ence, and no one looks like you. It makes our jobs harder to ensure that our clients know they are getting fair treatment.
SA: I feel like when I walk into the court- house, and I see other Indian people, I can feel them looking at me. Especially when there is a language issue, there just is this sense of relief. That microcosm of an interaction and the sense of relief that comes over them speaks exactly to that point, when there is someone in the building that looks like you.
QUESTION: What advice would you give to a minority female attorney start- ing in Delaware?
TM: I would tell them to be active. At- tend every networking event and group where they can go in and make them- selves present and known. Because Del- aware is really about networks; it is so small, it sometimes boils down to who you know.
NH: I would say, don’t wait for invita- tions; make your own seat at the table. Be as assertive as you can. If there is a networking opportunity, go there. Make
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