The type of flexibility and work you do can evolve as your family evolves. We all know the quality of work can suffer when we don’t get enough sleep. I remember feeling a little embarrassed about the work I generated in the days after I returned to full-time work after maternity leave. I couldn’t tell at the time I did it, of course, but after some time had passed and I had to refer back to the earlier work, well, let’s just say it wasn’t my best!
When my kids were babies and toddlers, I had far less energy and mental capacity, so a routine set of projects worked well for me. I was perfectly happy to support other attorneys in a high-volume practice (hurricane insurance claims). I would write initial reports for new cases, prepare documents for production through discovery, and evaluate the evidence to make mediation recommendations. I would also interview adjusters by phone to find out their witness testimony and then write reports and make recommendations for trial. Each case was different, but there was a great deal of repetition because of the volume of cases.
Once the kids cleared those early stages and were in grade school, I found myself itching for more challenging work. I moved to my current firm, where I continue to do insurance defense work, but I have a great deal more variety and responsibility than at my prior job. I conduct research, write motions and briefs, prepare letters to clients, handle discovery, write appellate briefs, and make occasional court appearances. Few cases are alike, so I’m constantly learning. It suits me well even now that my girls are teenagers. I enjoy being able to share work successes with my daughters. They even know to duck and cover when mom’s writing an appellate brief!
Has your work changed as your family has evolved? Let me know how you flex!
FlexWork for Attorney Moms 
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