Any lawyer moms on here?

sdavis2189 · April 2016

I need advice on what to do after the baby comes. I will graduate next week (yay!) with my JD and I plan to take the bar in July. I originally didn't plan on working after the baby, because I wanted to stay home. I also haven't been actively seeking jobs, because of all the uncertainty. Now, the small firm where I clerk (3 attorneys), has an opening and they asked me to be an associate. They would definitely give me time for maternity leave, I'd probably start in January, around the time I'm hopefully admitted. Because it's a small firm, the pay is pretty low. But on the plus side, there's a fair amount of flexibility in terms of day to day scheduling. I just can't decide if the cost of day care is worth it. I probably wouldn't end up bringing home that much. But, I'd keep my resume updated and get great experience. I've always pictured myself as a SAHM, but I don't want to waste the degree I just spent so much time and money earning. DH told me it's completely my decision and he will support whatever I choose. He is a resident at the hospital, and works super long hours, so pretty much all child care will fall on me, either way. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

(edited for typos)

Fremdschamen · April 2016

I'm a lawyer. I would take the job. I think it is better for your resume to get some experience post-graduation, even if you decide after a year or so that you'd rather be at home. At some point (ie: when your kid goes to school), you might want to go back into the workforce and hiring someone with no experience won't be appealing to law firms.

That said, if you find when you are on maternity leave that you can't possibly imagine doing anything other than spending your days with your kid, then you can always contact the firm and withdraw your acceptance. I personally found maternity leave isolating and prefer to work, but that is very personality-dependent!

mmclark10 · April 2016

Congrats on graduating from law school! I'm an attorney and have been working in the corporate world (compliance positions) since graduating. Personally, I can't imagine going through law school and not using my degree but you get to make that decision for yourself on what's right for you. I think having the option to at least see what it would be like to work outside the home and be able to use your degree and gain experience would be a good idea. Regardless of whether you would like to have more children after this baby or not, you might want to use your degree later in life and if you are 10 years out of law school with no experience, it would likely be very difficult to jump back in. Good luck with the last few weeks and with studying for the bar!

charmedlifex3 · April 2016

Not a lawyer, but I work in finance and am close to finishing my MBA. I already passed the 7 and 66 which are kinda like our industries version of the bar.

I would take the job. Having friends who are lawyers, and working in a vaguely similar field, finding a firm who accepts that you are a mother first and a lawyer second - and still wants to hire you - is rare, and for that alone I would accept the job even if the starting pay is a little lower than you might find elsewhere.

sdavis2189 · April 2016

Thank you! I think you all are right...I don't want to turn the job down and regret it later on. Plus, I think I would get jealous of all my friends starting their legal careers while mine is on pause.

Fremdschamen and mmclark10 - You're right, I can't imagine who would hire me five or ten years out of school with no other experience. I'm sure I will forget everything I learned in school by then. I also don't see myself as a SAHM when my kids are in school full time, I would be way too bored.

Allisun86 - I hadn't thought of it like that, you're right, they already know I'm having the baby, and they understand that she will be my priority.

Now let's just hope baby cooperates all summer so I can take and pass the bar!

christineehh · April 2016

I'm a lawyer, and I'd give it a shot, see if you like it, or if it's worth it. The flexibility is nice.

Bookhousegirl · April 2016

@sdavis2189 not a lawyer, but I took my licensing exam one week to the day before giving birth to DS1. I swear, he was waiting for me to finish before he made his appearance. You'll be so glad you got it done before the baby comes, I can't imagine trying to study with a newborn!

Snaps816 · April 2016

I am a non-practicing attorney, and now I work in legal recruiting. I can tell you that the offer you've received is pretty rare and I wouldn't give it up lightly. Not every recent JD gets a job offer right out of school, and the fact that they're offering you flexibility too is impressive. I meet with so many women looking for part time or flexible jobs after taking a few years off, and those opportunities are few and far between. At the end of the day I believe your own happiness is the most important thing. I'd give it a shot and see if it works for you. If you feel like you're sacrificing your own happiness and that of your family, then maybe walk away.

megmac2 · April 2016

Take it. It's tougher than ever to get a job in the legal field and this is a rare opportunity considering you haven't even passed the bar yet. Most of my colleagues suffered through the limbo of time between bar-taking and bar-passing by bartending. Worst case scenario - you get some experience at a flexible firm as well as something to put on your resume.

Congrats on the job offer and good luck on your decision. And your baby.

tmk0325 · May 2016

I'm not a lawyer, however I just wanted to say congrats! My thought is if you think that it will benefit your career and you can afford the daycare I personally would give it a shot for a little while, especially if they are willing to be pretty flexible with you in terms of a start date and day scheduling. If you decide it's not for you, you can always quit.

Ceventa · May 2016

Not a lawyer, but I just wanted to say congrats on graduating with your JD! That's such a wonderful accomplishment :-) This is a really tough decision because I totally understand wanting to be home with your little one. The details of this job offer though sound amazing, the fact that you can start in January and that they are willing to be flexible with time is fantastic. Truly, I wish I had that option, I was really hoping to start back up in January but it's looking more like the end of November. If you are planning on doing daycare/nanny, I would start that process now then. Start looking and enrolling that way you don't have to worry about it anymore. If plans change, you can cancel.

charmedlifex3 · May 2016

I'm very lucky in where I work. I was just put into high risk and will need various appointments, an hour from the office, likely multiple times a week for the next three months. The senior partner responded by making sure I wasn't going to take vacation time for that, so I have enough to get through my maternity leave. "I've seen you work through lunch about a hundred times, so by my calculation - we owe you some hours. So take care of that baby, and yourself, and don't worry about it."

Honestly, that is worth more than the extra 10 -15k a year I COULD make by commuting to Albany and doing the exact same job for people with a big city budget - and big city standards.

sdavis2189 · May 2016

Thank you all again, I think you've convinced me. You're right, I don't think I'll ever get such a flexible offer again. Good luck to all of you with your maternity leaves too!

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