How can the legal profession be more supportive of law students and lawyers with disabilities? In a profession already marked by the hypercompetitive pursuit of performance and achievement, young lawyers often face pressure to downplay their disabilities. In addition, access to accommodations for law students and lawyers with disabilities can be difficult, adding a lot of stress to an already stressful process. 

In this special episode, host Sonia Russo sits down with three different lawyers to hear their stories, struggles and triumphs of dealing with disability in law school and the legal profession. Hear how these three inspiring young lawyers overcame the unique challenges of law school, navigated the LSAT and bar exam, their process of finding a job after law school, and their continued work and perseverance in the legal industry today. 

• How the Legal Industry Often Lets Down Lawyers With Disabilities
• What is the definition of 'Disability'?
• How to Support Law Students and Lawyers with Disabilities
• Improving Disability Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession

Guests on this Episode:

Elizabeth Hardcastle – Partner with Sidley Austin, LLP

John Broadbent – Corporate Attorney and Disability Advocate with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP

Spencer Hill – Environmental and White Collar Litigation Lawyer at MANKO | GOLD | KATCHER | FOX LLP

Episode Resources:

The Time is Now | A Conversation on Disabilities and Change

John Broadbent at TEDxDuke