45. Career Congregation feat. Brittany Stevens, Partner at Phillips & Associates: Workplace Discrimination, Power Dynamics & Advocating for Employees

Career Congregation is your weekly gathering for all things career, a space to explore the highs, the lows, and the incredible stories of people who have navigated career challenges, stepped through fear, and found success and growth on the other side. Hosted by Therapist and Coach Meghan Fitzpatrick, each episode offers real-life inspiration for reclaiming confidence and direction in your work.In this week’s episode, Meghan is joined by Brittany Stevens, Partner at Phillips & Associates, an employment discrimination attorney representing employees across the United States. Brittany specialises in cases involving sexual harassment, workplace discrimination, retaliation, and pregnancy-related rights, with a particular focus on protecting individuals navigating power imbalances in high-pressure corporate environments. She is also a mother of two, a roles that is deeply interconnected in the work she does.Brittany’s career did not begin with a clear path. After turning down a role at a major investment bank, she chose law school over a conventional path, eventually finding her direction in employment discrimination law. What followed was a steady progression from junior associate to partner, shaped by hands-on experience, strong mentorship, and a willingness to step into responsibility before feeling fully ready.The conversation examines the realities of workplace power dynamics, particularly in environments where senior leadership operates with little accountability. Brittany shares what she sees behind the scenes: patterns of behaviour, companies protecting reputations over people, and the blurred lines that often exist between professional and inappropriate conduct. There is a clear look at how cultural, generational, and organisational factors influence what is tolerated, challenged, or ignored.There is also a wider discussion on how public cases and media coverage have shifted behaviour. More individuals are speaking up, not necessarily through lawsuits, but by raising internal complaints and questioning what they have previously accepted. Brittany explains the gap between what feels wrong and what is legally actionable, and why many people still struggle to identify when their rights have been breached.Alongside the legal perspective, Brittany reflects on navigating major life events while building a demanding career. The loss of her mother, becoming a parent, and managing professional expectations all at once reshaped her relationship with work. Rather than stepping away, she integrated those experiences into her practice, bringing a level of understanding to clients dealing with maternity leave, caregiving responsibilities, and workplace accommodation that cannot be taught.This episode explores workplace harassment, women’s rights, legal advocacy, grief, motherhood, growth and more. It also highlights the importance of having the right support within a career, particularly leaders who recognise potential early and push people beyond their own limitations.CONNECT WITH BRITTANY: Phillips & Associates – https://www.newyorkcitydiscriminationlawyer.com/LinkedIn: Brittany Stevens AlperWORK WITH MEGHAN: If you are interested in working with Meghan 1:1, you can book an intro call with her here: https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/166602GUEST SUBMISSIONS: If you think you know someone who would make a great guest, feel free to email Meghan at [email protected] THE SHOW: If you’d like to support the show and the work of Career Congregation, you can do so here: https://ko-fi.com/meghanfitzpatrickKeywords: Career, Workplace discrimination, Sexual harassment, Women’s rights, Employment law, Mental health, Purpose, Work-life balance, Burnout, Life transitions, Motherhood, Career progression, Leadership, Power dynamics, Personal development, Authentic career paths, Advocacy, Legal careers© Copyright Meghan Fitzpatrick 2026