The Bar Exam’s Motherhood Penalty Is A Barrier To Entry For The Legal Profession

// pacifier gavelI’ve missed so many firsts of my daughter because I was studying for this exam. … She started walking in early June, and I missed it. Studying for this exam literally makes me feel like a bad mother.

— Estefania Parra Simmons, a recent law school graduate, commenting on her parental woes while trying to study for the bar exam, during an interview with BuzzFeed News focusing on the demoralizing treatment those who are pregnant or breastfeeding face when trying to take the bar exam. “It sounds hyperbolic, but it’s basically saying to someone, ‘You can either be a mom or you can be a lawyer — which one do you choose? You can either take this bar exam, or you can feed your baby — which one do you want to do?’ And which one do you think most people are going to do?” Michelle Browning Coughlin, the founder of MothersEsquire told BuzzFeed. Parra has twice been denied accommodations for the bar exam, first for pregnancy and now for pumping breaks. If she doesn’t pass, she says she will not take the exam again in February 2023.

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-top-300x250" ); googletag.enableServices(); }); What Biglaw Leaders Are Planning For Their Tech Sponsored What Biglaw Leaders Are Planning For Their Tech Our new survey sheds light on what may be in store for firms. From Wolters Kluwer and Above The Law

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-middle-300x250" ); googletag.enableServices(); }); googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-bottom-300x250" ); googletag.enableServices(); }); Sponsored 3 Ways To Make The Legal Department More Effective And Agile Sponsored 3 Ways To Make The Legal Department More Effective And Agile Concrete steps to transform your team into a strategic force. From Conga and Above The Law Why This CRM Is Different From The Others Sponsored Why This CRM Is Different From The Others The legal CRM software designed entirely by lawyers is now available to the public. See what it can offer your practice. From Matterly and Above The Law Meet LINK: The Easy Way To Handle All Your Document Workflows On Your Mobile Device In A Single App Sponsored Meet LINK: The Easy Way To Handle All Your Document Workflows On Your Mobile Device In A Single App LINK offers the single-app workflows you need to fully work on your documents and manage your email from your mobile devices, anytime and anywhere. From Above the Law What Biglaw Leaders Are Planning For Their Tech Sponsored What Biglaw Leaders Are Planning For Their Tech Our new survey sheds light on what may be in store for firms. From Wolters Kluwer and Above The Law GCs: How Effective Is Your Data Tracking And Reporting? Sponsored GCs: How Effective Is Your Data Tracking And Reporting? Join us on August 3rd to learn from the best. From SpotDraft and Above The Law Meet LINK: The Easy Way To Handle All Your Document Workflows On Your Mobile Device In A Single App Sponsored Meet LINK: The Easy Way To Handle All Your Document Workflows On Your Mobile Device In A Single App LINK offers the single-app workflows you need to fully work on your documents and manage your email from your mobile devices, anytime and anywhere. From Above the Law Topics

Bar Exams, Breast Pumping, Breastfeeding, Law Schools, Pregnancy, Quote of the Day, Women's Issues


Introducing Jobbguru: Your Gateway to Career Success

The ultimate job platform is designed to connect job seekers with their dream career opportunities. Whether you're a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or someone seeking a career change, Jobbguru provides you with the tools and resources to navigate the job market with ease. 

Take the next step in your career with Jobbguru:

Don't let the perfect job opportunity pass you by. Join Jobbguru today and unlock a world of career possibilities. Start your journey towards professional success and discover your dream job with Jobbguru.

Originally posted on: https://abovethelaw.com/2022/07/the-bar-exams-motherhood-penalty-is-a-barrier-to-entry-for-the-legal-profession/