Between Two Worlds: Stories of Professional Identity Construction in Asian Canadian Lawyers

Professional identity is a key aspect of our overall sense of identity; however, there has been limited research on professional identity construction for minoritized groups. This study sought to understand the process of professional identity construction in Asian Canadian lawyers, an underrepresented population within the Canadian legal profession. Seven participants shared their stories of becoming and working as lawyers. Using a narrative method and thematic content analysis, five main themes arose from hearing and analyzing these stories, including (a) battling alienation from the profession, (b) encountering barriers to career advancement, (c) managing family expectations and responsibilities, (d) finding a sense of belonging, and (e) feeling empowered as a lawyer. The findings from this study shed light on the unique concerns Asian Canadian lawyers face in navigating their professional identity development, as well as the mental health burdens Asian Canadian lawyers carry in addition to typical work-related stressors.