What A Founder And Business Attorney At Anasa Law Firm PC Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Law Industry
Liku wishes someone had told them that they didn't have to be the "stereotypical image of a lawyer" and that it was okay to be themself, because in their early years at law firms, mental health suffered from trying to fit in, especially as a black woman navigating constant mental gymnastics about appearance and demeanor. The career professional notes that being comfortable and confident in oneself allows one to "exist differently" and work more enjoyably, and that more examples of lawyers authentically being themselves would have been beneficial.
Authenticity, Self-Confidence, Mental Health, Workplace Challenges, Overcoming Stereotypes
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Liku Amadi, Esq.
Founder and Business Attorney
Anasa Law Firm PC
CSUS
Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Doctor of Jurisprudence
Communications
Law
Legal
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. It's important to be yourself in your career, even if it goes against stereotypical images. Trying to fit in can negatively impact mental health, especially for individuals from marginalized groups.
2. Finding comfort and confidence in yourself changes how you exist, work, and show up in your career, making it more enjoyable.
3. It is beneficial to have examples of people who are successful while being themselves, as it demonstrates that authenticity is possible and can lead to better outcomes.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
That's hard because I wish somebody had told me. But then I also wouldn't be who I am and be where I am if I had known.
I wish someone had told me that I didn't have to be the stereotypical image of a lawyer. I wish somebody had told me that I could be myself.
In my early years, particularly practicing at law firms, my mental health suffered. I was trying to appease, comply, and make sure I fit in a certain way. Especially as a Black woman, it starts to weigh down on you.
That's something you have to constantly worry about. Am I coming off intimidating? Am I being too loud? What about my makeup and my hair? There's a lot to think about.
I call it mental gymnastics on top of just wanting to show up, be a good lawyer, do good work, and grow in your career and experience.
When you are comfortable and confident in yourself, these are things you grow through. Once you get to that point, you exist differently, you show up differently, you work differently. It's more enjoyable for you.
I always say, if I were to ever go back to a law firm, they would probably fire me quickly. The things I would not put up with are drastic. We would be here for two days if I talked about my experience.
Bottom line is, I just wish someone had told me, or I had seen more examples. You can a thousand percent be yourself, and you'll be better for it.