New Bay area law firm anything but boys club

Four women make up a new law firm in St. Petersburg. 

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A new Bay area law firm is anything but a boys club.

Four women make up the Law Firm of Barnett, Wolfe, Rice and Dabule in St. Petersburg.

"I think it's something that Pinellas County doesn't have," said attorney Lauren Dabule. "There's no other firm that I know of that's this size, former prosecutors, all female. And I think it offers a different perspective."

The women met while working at the state attorney's office. They went on to pursue separate careers, but opened the firm together in August.

They all review each case they get. 

"Throughout the week when there are hearings if it's more of a complicated issue somebody goes with you and we do it together," said attorney Erin Barnett. "The best way to look at it is if I don't know the answer somebody here does. It's a great way to practice law."

The women are all in their early 30s. They each have at least 5.5 years experience practicing law.

"People underestimate us," said attorney Erin Wolfe. "And I actually like being underestimated because when I go into court I'm more prepared than the other side. I'm able to think on my feet and a lot of times the other side is so thrown off their game they didn't expect that, especially from me and they don't make that mistake again."

They focus on criminal defense and family law, but take on other cases occasionally.

"Our personalities are different and our strengths and weaknesses, as far as practicing law, are different," said attorney Julia Rice. "We use all of that to the advantage of our clients."