There are unique challenges that we experience as young professionals regardless of our gender or the industry we work in. It is hard to ignore the fact, however, that young female professionals tend to face an additional level of adversity. After I personally faced countless gender-specific difficulties while working in the male-dominated industry of sports marketing, I chose to pursue a career in law to prove to myself that my voice and opinions matter.

I am fortunate to be an associate at a law firm that has been recognized for having percentages of diverse and female attorneys that are among the highest of any Pennsylvania law firm. But as I near the end of my first year as an associate and reflect on my experiences over that time with opposing counsel and the legal community generally, I can't help but feel that junior female associates still have a ways to go before they're viewed by older male attorneys and professionals as their peers.