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By Lee Yeon-woo
In Netflix legal drama "Partner Track," Ingrid Yun, the lead character who graduated from Harvard Law School and works as an attorney at a New York-based law firm, strives to climb the partner track in the face of multiple challenges, including stereotypes of Asians and women.
"You have no idea how hard it is to be a person of color at this firm," she says in the series while struggling to succeed despite facing microaggressions.
The adversity facing Ingrid in the fictional drama is somewhat exaggerated, according to Yoon Chae, a partner in Baker McKenzie's Dallas office. The Korean lawyer said that misconceptions about Asians and Asian Americans still remain, although they are the biggest minority group in U.S. law firms.
"Some believe that Asians are good at math and science, but are not eloquent speakers or writers, which would be a critical misperception for attorneys," Chae said.
"Another stereotype is that Asians value humility over assertiveness and therefore end up appearing less confident to clients and the jury. Even though this stereotype is not entirely wrong, such emphasis on humility is often exaggerated in the minds of others," he added.
Chae went on to say that one of his acquaintances tried never to apologize even when he made mistakes so as to look tough and break the stereotype that Asians are obedient.
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| Yoon Chae, then an associate attorney at Baker McKenzie's Dallas office, speaks about patent law issues at the United States Patent and Trademark office in 2019. Courtesy of Yoon Chae |
Other Korean and Korean American lawyers echoed that communication and solidarity are two of the most important things that can break those perceptions, and further, that it is important to increase the representation of those of Asian descent.
Yu Jeong-seok, known in the United States as Jeong-seok Jay Yu, a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig's New York office, said senior lawyers should actively provide formal and informal mentoring to junior lawyers to succeed in law firms.
"It's important to know that they are not alone in this," Yu said while reminiscing that the best training he received was simply sitting in the office of one of his seniors. He advised law school students and rookie lawyers to join one or more Korean American professional groups and meet many mentors with experience.
Vivian Choi, an associate lawyer in Covington & Burling's Washington, D.C. office, agreed. "Throughout my time in law school and law firms, I have relied on the support of Korean and Asian peers, colleagues and mentors ― they are often the ones who are willing to teach me the soft skills that are necessary to navigate the legal industry."
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| Vivian Choi, an associate lawyer in Covington & Burling's Washington, D.C. office, participates at a gala hosted by the Council of Korean Americans in Nov. 2022. Courtesy of Vivian Choi |
Additionally, lawyers expressed that the last five years have made the legal industry much more informed about racism and the importance of diversity thanks to social movements such as #MeToo and opposition to hate crimes against Asians and Asian Americans. Those of Asian descent shouldn't be discouraged, they said.
"At Baker McKenzie, for example, 38% of the 2022 summer class came from racially and ethnically underrepresented groups. While some challenges still exist, Asians (including Korean Americans) have been very successful in getting hired ― at least as summer associates and first-year attorneys ― in major law firms," Chae, who also serves on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the office, said.
Yu said that being Korean can even be an advantage as long as someone has the requisite qualifications. He said that law firms are starting to realize that diversity enables them to provide clients with a broad array of perspectives, cultures and creativity.
"We have a lot to bring to the table ― as there are increasing corporate activities led by Korean companies and investors. Having the necessary cultural awareness and language skills is a big advantage," Yu said.
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