2002
A big law associate from Houston, Texas, walked into a Georgia state courtroom as a member of the defense team. She was armed with case law, prepared to argue the facts, and ready to defend the client vigorously with her big law partner and local counsel. There was just one obstacle that she had not imagined and other counsel did not share.
The judge’s reaction to her pantsuit.
This judge did not see a lawyer standing in front of him. Instead, he noted a woman wearing clothing that he felt was better suited for a man. That judge made her sit behind the bar and eventually continued the hearing, but only after the associate found a skirt he felt suitable.
In the same year, in a different state, in a different courtroom, a different big law partner turned to the young associate, telling her that she will never be allowed to go to court again if she wouldn’t wear stilettos. Confused, she asked, “You are talking about my shoes, right?” Yes - he was talking about her shoes. Big law partner: “Professional women do not wear flats”. He told her that she is too short to wear flats, anyway.
2006
The big law associate became big law counsel as she progressed to her goal of big law partner. She was very pregnant and working as if she was not, to prove that her career would not be derailed by motherhood. The big law associate was not allowed to attend a client development event because it was perceived that her pregnant belly would make clients “uncomfortable”.
2013
In a different state, in a different courtroom, the associate was now a big law partner. It was July and the air conditioner didn't work in the courtroom; it was hot. The partner took off her suit coat and her shoulders were showing. At the next break, Co-Defense counsel told her that she should never show her shoulders in a courtroom and should never take off her coat. The partner checked with her local lawyer, seasoned trial lawyer Stan Ward, who told her to ignore Co-Defense counsel. In that same courtroom, the Partner wore flats, and she could not see over the podium; the short issue is real.
2016
While the same partner was speaking at a women's group, another panel member gave the advice that women lawyers should not attend client development social events with male clients. It might be seen as “untoward”. Since the partner had spent most of her career traveling and dining with her male counterparts, she completely disagreed with this advice. The following year, she decided to flip the script - and she opened her own firm.
2024
Unsurprisingly, the lawyer described above is our founder, Leah Rudnicki. Twenty-two years later, she appears in courtrooms all over the U.S., mostly wearing skirt suits or dresses in heels. If she feels hot, she takes off her jacket and bears her shoulders. If she has a pregnant team member, she takes that team member places until she’s tired of going! Leah always asks local counsel whether the judge has unwritten rules that need to be known.
Leah’s resilience underlies her brilliance in managing TRF, coaching team members, counseling clients, and prepping for trial. Leah and other lawyers like her encounter and endure misogynist situations regularly while educating offenders or others on the ignorance that still shows up in 2024.
Leah T. Rudnicki, Sharon T. Thomas and Caroline J. Lewis of The Rudnicki Firm (OU Law Grads 2001, 1981 and 2014; Mom est. 2006, 1987, and 2024)
In February of this year, TRF celebrated seven years of growth and success due to the trust of our clients! We have expanded from an all-women firm to a diverse firm which more closely mirrors the juries that we appear before.
Leah leads TRF with the underlying core belief that practicing law does not have to be miserable! It is fun, intense, and inclusive. Not surprisingly, TRF is dedicated to advancing women (and everyone) on merit, not their style of clothing or parental status.
We firmly believe that parenthood should never be an impediment to professional success. TRF offers parental leave to mothers and fathers so they may enjoy their families and quality of life outside of the courtroom. Lawyers are human beings as surely as they are trusted professionals. No one should lose a career in exchange for creating a family. By working with TRF, you are improving the legal field for all people!
Today, we celebrate Rosie the Riveter Day and the inclusion of all Americans in the working world:
During World War II six million women entered the workforce. "Rosie the Riveter" and her "We Can Do It" motto came to symbolize all women Home Front workers. A shortage of white male workers led to active recruitment by the United States Government of women to war industry jobs. Initially, white middle class women were recruited, followed by minority men, and finally minority women. Integration of women and minorities into the workforce was initially met with resistance; however, the new opportunities for women and minorities "cracked open" the door to equal rights and would have profound impacts on the Civil Rights Movement and Women's Movement during the following decades.
TRF is dedicated to opening more doors in the legal industry for lawyers in pants and skirts, flats and heels, and parents of children and pets. We allow legal professionals to become well-rounded humans, which only benefits our clients! Let’s normalize dressing for your day, parental leave, supporting families, and singles – together, we can remake the culture and improve the legal industry for all.