Page 27 - San Diego Woman Magazine Digital Version

Women of Distinction

she was planning on pursuing interior Luckily, I am now practicing at a law about becoming a lawyer, but she wish-
design as a career. Lucky for Leslie, and firm where gender is not a factor. How- es that someone would have provided
all the clients’ lives she has improved ever, through-out my career I have been her with some insight about what to
through her legal representation and forced to deal with gender bias.” expect. “I think women going into the
decision-making as a Judge Pro Tem/ It shocked me to hear that even legal field need to know ahead of time
Settlement Attorney, she ended up in in 2020, female lawyers are often not what the challenges could be and what
her original choice of careers. treated equally in the legal field, It is so they could face as a female lawyer.
Leslie’s volunteer work includes When first confronted with gender bias
advocating on behalf of foster children and being stereotyped, it is shocking.
as a Court Appointed Special Advocate We worked so hard to go to law school,
(C.A.S.A.) for Voices for Children and pay the same tuition fees and take the
serving on the Board of Directors for same bar exams, and still we are often
the Cal State University San Marcos confronted with disparities because we
Foundation Board. are female lawyers. Hopefully, this will
Aside from her husband, chil- change in the near future. I think that
dren, stepchildren and her brand new having a granddaughter in my life has
2-month-old granddaughter, Leslie made me even more hopeful that things
has two Yorkies named Penelope and will change in her lifetime.”
Gwendolyn. Her Yorkies are a big part One thing that Leslie loves about
of her family as “they bring me so her profession is how it is always chang-
much joy. No matter what kind of day ing. “The law is always changing, which
that I have had, they are always happy is fascinating to me. I love the law and
to see me.” even though it may not always be fair, I
I asked Leslie where she sees her think that we have the best legal system
career moving forward, “I like what in the world.”
I am doing. But I would love to be a I asked Leslie to share some other
judge one day. This is a career move tips for those entering law school,
that would require an appointment or “I’ve actually mentored a few young
an election. So only time will tell. I do hard to believe that prejudices like this women who wanted to study law. I
enjoy making decisions that change still exist. “A female lawyer often has to advised them to focus on the results
people’s lives for the better. I would also work twice as hard and bill more hours – getting through law school and
like to teach law students. I love the to make it as a partner in a law firm. I passing the bar.”
law and it would be great to share my have been at law firms in the past where
passion of the law with students.” gender played a role every day that I You can contact Leslie A. Braun at
I asked Leslie if she could give some went to work, which was so unfortu- lbraun@oraclelawyers.com
insight to women who would like to nate. So, I would like to educate women
follow in her footsteps and become about bias and gender stereotypes that The Oracle Lawyers
lawyers. “I would really like to teach a they could face as practicing attorneys.” Office: (760) 452-6750
seminar to women entering law school Leslie admits that she was forced to Mobile: (760) 415-2333
to educate them and provide them with face this bias when she was defending 191 Calle Magdalena, Suite 200
some perspectives on what it is like cases on behalf of her clients. “I was in Encinitas, CA 92024
being a female lawyer. I did a podcast court on a case as developer’s counsel
a couple of years ago called; ‘Women with twelve other male attorneys. I was For More Information go to:
in the Law’ which focused primarily the only female attorney. I addressed https://www.calbar.ca.gov
on the statistics in the law of female the Court last. One by one, as the https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-a-
partners and gender stereotyping. twelve male attorneys addressed the braun-84072015
Statistics-wise, women are very un- Court, the judge referred to them as https://www.csusm.edu
der-represented as partners, especially ‘counsel.’ When I addressed the Court, https://www.continentalwhoswho.com
since women now make up the major- the judge said, ‘What can I do for you https://www.martindale.com/
ity of students in law school. I basically this afternoon, young lady?’” https://www.iawomen.com
discussed how gender can really make Leslie admits that it most likely https://www.aiotl.com
a difference as a practicing attorney. would not have changed her mind https://www.aaoaus.com

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