The law is a hot profession to depict in Hollywood. We can all recall countless movies focused on the legal field. Hollywood has a tendency to exaggerate situations and only cast the most beautiful specimen. However, films do have a tendency to bring to light the issues of the average American. Films such as Legally Blonde, Erin Brockocich, and The Verdict feature women in the legal field. The women in the films struggle with the same issues women face in the actual workforce. Women in law often face discrimination and objectification in the workplace. Issues concerning gender equality in the profession have been existent since women began working in law. Is possible for a woman to turn their disadvantages in their favor? The American Bar Association
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Elle, along with the selected classmates, are assigned to assist in the defense of the Callahan’s client, Brooke Windham, a workout legend accused of murdering her spouse. During the trial, Elle follows her instincts and is able to aid in several breakthroughs in the case. Impressed by her work, Callahan meets one-on-one with Elle in his office. Callahan makes sexual advances towards Elle. Appalled, Elle immediately rejects Callahan and runs from the office. Callahan yells as Elle is leaving, “Too bad. I thought you were a law student...who wanted to be a lawyer!” (Legally Blonde, 2001). Callahan’s last remark in this specific scene was particularly infuriating. He is insinuating that Elle did not truly want to be a lawyer if she were not willing to compromise her values and perform degrading acts to further her career. Sadly, “sexual harassment in the workplace is a common experience among women.” According to a poll conducted by ABC News/Washington Post poll, “one in four women has experienced workplace sexual harassment” (citation). These women are not just a statistic, but individuals that have been victimized. As a female, myself, I can say that I have first-hand experience of sexual harassment in the workplace. I find this scene between Callahan and Elle especially cringe-worthy because I can recall the same feeling of shock and disrespect that Elle experiences in Legally Blonde. Although rates of harassment have slowly declined in the last decade, it is still an issue that running rampant in the workplace
Elle, along with the selected classmates, are assigned to assist in the defense of the Callahan’s client, Brooke Windham, a workout legend accused of murdering her spouse. During the trial, Elle follows her instincts and is able to aid in several breakthroughs in the case. Impressed by her work, Callahan meets one-on-one with Elle in his office. Callahan makes sexual advances towards Elle. Appalled, Elle immediately rejects Callahan and runs from the office. Callahan yells as Elle is leaving, “Too bad. I thought you were a law student...who wanted to be a lawyer!” (Legally Blonde, 2001). Callahan’s last remark in this specific scene was particularly infuriating. He is insinuating that Elle did not truly want to be a lawyer if she were not willing to compromise her values and perform degrading acts to further her career. Sadly, “sexual harassment in the workplace is a common experience among women.” According to a poll conducted by ABC News/Washington Post poll, “one in four women has experienced workplace sexual harassment” (citation). These women are not just a statistic, but individuals that have been victimized. As a female, myself, I can say that I have first-hand experience of sexual harassment in the workplace. I find this scene between Callahan and Elle especially cringe-worthy because I can recall the same feeling of shock and disrespect that Elle experiences in Legally Blonde. Although rates of harassment have slowly declined in the last decade, it is still an issue that running rampant in the workplace