WBAI NEWSLETTER
either one having children. They are both critical to my practice, not easily replaced. Their having children will likely mean that I will have to increase my own hours or encourage them to cut back their hours and share their position. Every situation is unique. Law is not life – it’s a calling, a career, a job. You only get one chance to raise your child and there are an incredible number of outside influences to overcome to assure your child has your values and knows you value them over your career. If law firms understand this, they will work to find the flexibility necessary to hold on to good talent and assure that there is a balance of the job with the obligations parents have to raise their children.
Amy J. Hansen, Partner, Lynch Thompson LLP Ms. Hansen is a partner at Lynch Thompson LLP, where her practice focuses on commercial litigation. She began her legal career as an associate with a predecessor firm in 2008. Her entire practice has been as a mom, as her sons, now 11 and 13, were born while she was in law school. Q. What has helped you achieve a work-life balance? A. My firm has always permitted me flexibility regarding where and when I work, as needed. For example, I have often left the office in the afternoon to attend a function for my children or come in later in the day, and then worked a couple of hours in the evening. Additionally, for the most part, I have the flexibility to work from home when needed. Having a dedicated space at home to work and setting boundaries has been key to my ability to so. Finally, I have been fortunate to have family support to help when my work obligations have precluded me from being at home or getting the kids where they need to me. Q. What advice would you give to new moms practicing law? A. There are going to be times when you are not going to be able to do it all and do everything perfectly, and that is okay. Prioritize. Ask for help when you need it. Say no when you need to. And don’t feel guilty when you feel like you are not a super-mom and a super-lawyer every moment of every day. Q. What efforts can firms make to foster their practicing moms’
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work-life balance? A. Flexible scheduling and the ability to work from home seem to be two of the key efforts that are helpful for many practicing moms. However, firm culture needs to be such that work at home days or times are respected as such, rather than a favor by the firm or pseudo-vacation time. Moreover, ideally, both moms and dads should be encouraged to foster a work/life balance. Doing so would help send the message that these efforts are not a special benefit for moms and that balancing work with family should not be a task borne by moms alone.
Emily Wessel Farr, Founder and Principal, Ardent Law Ms. Wessel Farr started her firm, which focuses on management-side employment and business litigation, in Chicago in 2015 after practicing for five years at litigation firms in North Carolina. At the time, her eldest, Calvin, was 11 months old and still breastfeeding. Her daughter, Holland, was born just prior to celebrating the firm’s one-year anniversary. Q. What has helped you achieve a work-life balance? A. People say it takes a village, and that you need a great partner. I agree, and feel lucky to have a husband, extended family, daycare providers, babysitters, and friends who take responsibilities from me when I am stretched thin. However, I believe that the KEY to work/life balance is committing to it. I decided as a rising 2L to skip on-campus interviews and find a small firm where I could practice law while (as I told the career counselor) being home by dinner. Balance was always a priority for me. I am a full, happy person because of my career, as well as: volunteering, working out, traveling to see family and friends, seeing my children on nights and weekends, cooking, writing, reading, and sleeping (a little). To feel balanced, you must believe in balance. If you think it’s a source of shame, you might have drank the Kool-aid. Q. What advice would you give to new moms practicing law? A. Be authentic, and ask for what you want. Many new moms
WINTER 2018