In law, no one hands you a guide to the hidden curriculum, but every lawyer absorbs it. Rules about hours, availability, mistakes, and even what “professional” looks like. This episode unpacks how those unspoken rules distort women lawyers’ sense of worth, loyalty, and belonging, and why it is time to rewrite them.
This is part two of a two-part series. In Episode 17, we explored the badges of honor in law. In Episode 18, we go deeper into the hidden curriculum.
From day one, the legal profession trains lawyers to measure themselves by invisible standards: billable hours, 24/7 responsiveness, perfection at all costs. These are not written anywhere, but they quietly dictate whether you feel like you belong. And for women, especially women of color, LGBTQ+, first-gen, and others holding more than one marginalized identity, the stakes can feel even higher.
But here’s the truth: these rules were never neutral. They were not truths at all. They were training. And because they were taught, they can be questioned and unlearned.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🌱 Key takeaway: You’re not weak or broken for following these rules. They kept you safe and helped you belong. But they never determined your worth. Every time you reclaim an hour, set down your phone, or let yourself feel, it is proof you can choose differently.
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Full Show Notes, Episode Transcript, Plus More Resources for Women in Law:
018 The Hidden Curriculum of Law: How We Were Trained to Ignore Ourselves
https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/018-hidden-curriculum-of-law
Related Podcast Episodes:
017 Why Exhaustion Became a Badge of Honor in Law
https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/017-exhaustion-as-a badge-of-honor-in-law
