Ramona Vidican, Lawyer, Los Angeles, USA

As a female lawyer, there are situations when your gender makes a difference working in a masculine industry. Ramona Vidican is an in-house legal specialist at Aeros, and she shares her point of view on work-life balance and how she overcomes difficult situations while keeping her feminine energy alive.

1. What is it like to have such a powerful position in the company as a female?

It’s both challenging and rewarding. On one hand, it’s empowering to break barriers and be a part of significant decision-making processes. On the other hand, it comes with a lot of responsibility and of course, accountability. I find that once you decide to assume a position, the most important factor is to take responsibility for it- truly and fully, whether you succeed or whether you encounter failure. This is how we grow.

2. What is one of the biggest challenges you faced as a woman in your career and how did you overcome it?

One of the biggest challenges I faced was dealing with gender bias and being underestimated because of my gender, especially because of my age. People will simply not take you seriously as a “twenty something” woman in the legal field. However, I never let this discourage me, and there is something very satisfying about proving people wrong.

 I overcame this by consistently delivering great work product and work etic, educating myself continuously, and building a network of supportive colleagues and mentors who believed in my potential.

3. What is one advice that helped you keep your life balanced?

The best advice I’ve received is to set clear boundaries between work and personal life. It’s important to dedicate time to yourself and your loved ones, and to ensure that work does not overshadow your personal well-being. It is a cliché and we all say it, but you should never neglect yourself and your well-being. I think have a rigorous schedule helps you stay on track. I try to work out at least 4 times a week, and I am fortunate enough to have a dog- so I naturally have to take her on walks and adventures, which is our little routine.

4. Who is your role-model?

My role model is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her dedication to justice, her resilience in the face of adversity, and her relentless fight for gender equality have been incredibly inspiring to me throughout my career.

5. What advice would you give to young ladies who would like to have a successful career in the legal field?

Be confident in your abilities and don’t be afraid to take risks. I believe that the core difference between someone who is successful in their filed vs someone who is not necessarily education, but the risks people are willing to take and the opportunities they do not turn down. With that being said, I do believe that with all the abundance of knowledge accessible to us, we have a duty to  Continuously educate ourselves.

It is also important to  seek out mentors who can guide you and build a strong network and support system within the industry you want to succeed in.

6. Are we mixing emotions and personal experiences with work?

It’s inevitable to bring personal experiences into the workplace, as they shape who we are. I consider myself an empath and at times it is hard for me to separate the two. I do believe that there are positive ways in which you can use personal experiences in your work. One phrase that I really like to tell people when negotiating is that conflict arises when two people look at the same set of events from different perspectives. In my opinion, what makes a good negotiator is actually the ability to understand the person talking to you and where they are coming from.

I’ve also been reading recently that many arbitration panels, typically composed of three arbitrators, now often include a woman. This practice is becoming more common because having a woman on the panel is believed to bring valuable perspectives and enhance the overall balance and fairness of the decision-making process.

7. 3 words: A woman should be: resilient, confident, and empathetic.

8. Last but not least, what makes you keep going?

What keeps me going is the belief in the impact of my work and the desire to create a more inclusive and fair environment. I genuinely love what I do. I really enjoy having a positive impact in this field and helping people grow and succeed.

by Bianca Bonta (Ruta)