In one situation, the combination of my gender, age and ethnicity sent one gentleman into enormous discomfort, but I think that's the exception that proves the rule. That was the one time I had a client ask me where I went to school. I didn't want to be a teacher, and I didn't have friends who had become business people. But I knew other lawyers. That partner wasn't necessarily a mentor, but she was always there for the women in the firm, and supported Berkley through her 1986 divorce.
People say they enjoy working with women more, because women in general get right to business.
She raised her two children on her own after her divorce. It's more difficult today to balance being a parent and a lawyer than it was when I started. My kids think I work too hard, but I tell them I'm a better mother because I'm happy. She now does finance, transportation, acquisition financing and equity investment work as a partner at Bingham Dana LLP in Boston. She graduated from Columbia University Law School in 1983.