The Loneliness of Being a Female Lawyer (And What We're Not Talking About)
What happens when two female lawyers from different countries realize they're fighting the same battles? In this powerful conversation, Erin sits down with Odette Ansell—a Canadian litigator and host of the Non-Billable Hours podcast—to talk about the universal struggles female lawyers face: loneliness, identity crisis, the pressure to "have it all," and the desperate need for community. They discuss why it's so hard to separate your identity from your job, what to do when you feel stuck, and why vulnerability might be the bravest thing you do as a lawyer. If you've ever felt like you're the only one crumbling while everyone else looks like they're crushing it—this episode is your reminder that you're not alone.
About Odette Ansell
Odette Ansell is a Canadian litigator and the host of Non-Billable Hours, a podcast dedicated to honest conversations about life in and beyond the law. With a passion for connecting with lawyers across every practice area, she creates space for candid discussions about the joys, pressures, and personal passions that shape legal professionals. Odette is driven by a desire to spotlight what truly lights lawyers up outside their work—from creative pursuits to family life to unexpected hobbies. Through her thoughtful interviews, she explores the common challenges many lawyers experience but rarely voice. Her work aims to build community, normalize vulnerability, and remind lawyers that their identities extend far beyond their billable targets.
Key Topics Covered
- Why Odette became a lawyer (and the personality test that said she'd be terrible at litigation)
- The universal struggles female lawyers face—regardless of country or practice area
- Why lawyers desperately need people who "get it" without needing context
- The loneliness epidemic in the legal profession (especially for women)
- How to separate your identity from your job when being a lawyer IS your personality
- The seasons of life and why "having it all" doesn't mean having it all at once
- Why women lawyers feel guilty for wanting something outside the law
- The bad advice that made Odette delete her food blog in law school
- How to find community when you work from home and feel isolated
- The power of saying your goals out loud (even if you don't know how to achieve them)
- Why vulnerability is so hard for lawyers (and why we desperately need it)
- The retreats that made Erin realize: "These women get me at a visceral level"
Connect with Odette Ansell
- Podcast: Non-Billable Hours (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts)
- Instagram: @nonbillablehourspodcast
Want to connect with Odette about building community, navigating identity outside the law, or just chat about life as a lawyer? Find her on Instagram or check out her podcast!
Connect with Erin
- Instagram: @eringerner
- LinkedIn: Erin Gerner
- Website: www.eringerner.com
- Book a Call: Powerhouse Connection Call
If this conversation reminded you that you're not alone in what you're feeling, share it with another woman lawyer who needs to hear it. Tag Erin and Odette on social media and let them know what resonated.
Feeling stuck and ready to make a change? Book a free Powerhouse Connection Call with Erin and let's figure out what's next.
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