BUT be ready for an answer such as, you have x years experience, and she has 16 years, maturity, world life experience, a fabulous reputation, etc. Sixteen years is a long time to practice law, and pls. understand I do not mean to be insulting, but if you have only been practicing two or three or four years, that is a big difference. (Unsure how many “several” may be.)

Granted, being out of the practice for ten years could be a negative, but if your partners knew her/litigated with/against her back “in the day,” they may have some personal professional experience with her that gives them a reason to expect her to bring alot to the firm, perhaps something different (not “better”) than you bring at this time.

OTOH, this may be nothing more than politics, in the not nice way, and if that is the case, you might be prepared for a defensive response as well.

I do hope this situation is explained to your satisfaction but, if not, it may tell you something about your future partners that is better realized now.

And, for the younger group, believe it or not, you might be surprised at how much more you can find in the books than on Westlaw. Not easier, not faster, but sometimes more of exactly what you need.

I took a year off when my son was born and I wouldn’t trade that time for all the promotions in the world. When I came back to work, I lost maybe 6-8 mths of seniority compared to my peers and because I was a tad ahead of them, it mattered even less.

I know 16 yrs is a lot, but honestly no one knows what contacts the new lawyer may have nurtured (even if she only ran a small business). I hope the OP changed details, because I am sure anyone at the firm reading this can identify HER easily now….

This would set alarm bells ringing in my head. Silence = means they think your work is an issue/she can do what you do, & better (whether or not it’s correct).

Do you think she’s being groomed to take over ALL your work eventually? Which begs the question, what about you?

I’d polish the resume NOW, if you haven’t done so already.

My thoughts on this topic were as follows (as I read it):

1. Wow, that woman must have been pretty good during her 16 years/she negotiated one hell of a deal.
2. I bet the OP hasn’t been practicing “that” long (compared to the 16 years experience)
3. OP clearly has bad judgement. Being that specific with what the woman did. Even if she doesn’t read this site (which she could if she was looking for advice for new clothes to get back in the work force) one of her friends could and you spelled it out for anyone who knows her. If this is the type of judgement you exercise normally you don’t deserve to make partner or get the corner office.
4. Wow, we all presume someone who took an alternative career path is now worthless? Should all women who take years off for kids start back out with the new associates or just the ones who do something different? Also, maybe she had a connection to that other job. Who are we to judge what people do in their spare time. I like to cook and sew, does that make me worthless as well?