tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post3101012001991566123..comments2024-03-27T12:22:20.528-05:00Comments on Lag Liv: Appointments and ReflectionsLLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-33543573208757534602010-01-28T10:40:17.943-06:002010-01-28T10:40:17.943-06:00About that pre-natal yoga, I started doing water a...About that pre-natal yoga, I started doing water aerobics while pregnant with my first child (I was working as a first-year associate at the time) and absolutely loved it. <br /><br />I have always (and still do) hated aerobics and refused to do it. But I found water aerobics keeps your body temperature down so you don't get so hot (which, unfortunately, is an issue when you have an MS). And what was so great about it when I was pregnant is I felt tired and big and often didn't want to go. But once I went, I felt so much more better and had so much more energy. Something to think about.Michelle Morgan-Coolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03671529553739362752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-55473912678806679122010-01-27T10:30:58.010-06:002010-01-27T10:30:58.010-06:00Hi Anonymouses- your responses are worthy of their...Hi Anonymouses- your responses are worthy of their own post, which I may do at some point, about why more law firms can't act this way. Because you're absolutely right- there are some that having a second child would be a negative career move, and that's just ridiculous. Every attorney in my section hits about 2000-2200 hours; it's not like they're slacking or not doing the same amount of quality of work as an associate in a larger city, it's the expectation of hours in the office and the attitude towards families that seems to be different. No one cares that you go home at 5:30 to see your kids; what matters is that your assignments are done and perfect when they're due. It makes little business sense as to why that wouldn't be the standard in every firm.<br /><br />Another thing I should add, I also think litigation makes this lifestyle and partner/firm attitude easier (not <i>easy</i>, but easier). Corporate is almost completely client-driven. If a client has negotiated a deal and wants you to paper it in 3 weeks, it will be done, no matter how many nights it ruins for you. Litigation is court and opposing counsel-driven and they are constrained to at least some extent by rules of procedure with built-in deadlines. There were nights I was legitimately stuck in the office in corporate and there was no way around it; that almost never happens in litigation. I'm still busy and I still work a lot, but I can plan to some extent and do a lot of the work at night and from home. A lot of the briefing and discovery work can be done alone- then a draft or update is sent around to the group. We don't all need to be on calls till midnight negotiating a deal document. Even in my firm, and in my city, I wasn't nearly as happy or "balanced" in the corporate section. Some people make it work, I couldn't. I found that I could give up certain things because I was a working mother, but I couldn't give up dinner or my evening time at home. That is how things work for us.<br /><br />But good comments- thanks!LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-56721321513095583852010-01-27T09:59:54.132-06:002010-01-27T09:59:54.132-06:00I highly recommend prenatal yoga. Even if you don...I highly recommend prenatal yoga. Even if you don't like the "yoga" thing, most prenatal classes are more than just yoga. They really are a place where you can take a break from your day and connect with other expectant mommas. I truly enjoyed my prenatal yoga classe and I am definitely not a yogi! <br />On a side note, I have been following your blog for a few months now and I too am an attorney. I am a litigator, but I don't work for a big law firm - former prosecutor and I now work for the state. In my short legal career I have first chaired numerous trials. I would like to second Allison's comment about the demands of the legal profession. Your firm sounds like a dream, which I am sure many many women are very jealous of. That being said I hope that women in law school are prepared for the demands of the legal profession. Although I don't work for a law firm, being a litigator can be very demanding and balancing motherhood and litigating can be extremely difficult at times. Your firm sounds amazing - I wish other employers would hop on board!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-35730405202780618912010-01-27T09:04:13.597-06:002010-01-27T09:04:13.597-06:00I'm doing prenatal yoga, and I have to put in ...I'm doing prenatal yoga, and I have to put in a plug for it. I think you'll love it. I leave every week feeling relaxed, energized, stretchy (and I am the least flexible person ever), and focused. I look forward to it SO much; it's an oasis in my week.<br /><br />Your firm sounds great in terms of maternity leave-- good for you!<br /><br />JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-44008672458739999662010-01-27T08:20:48.060-06:002010-01-27T08:20:48.060-06:00LL, I'm glad you posted this comment to Legall...LL, I'm glad you posted this comment to Legally Fab. It's really wonderful that you've found such a great match (in terms of a firm), and it's clear that you have a really great situation going with being able to be home for dinner/bedtime every day!! As someone who works for a very big firm in a big city, though, I worry that it might give the ladies still in law school the impression that every firm will be as flexible, which is definitely NOT the case. As much as I like my firm, it is just a lot lot lot of work that basically goes on 24/7. We all get 6 months off for maternity leave (18 weeks paid), and there are great flex-time programs, but no matter how hard they try, our clients are very demanding and litigation/government enforcement can be very unpredictable. So, while I think that moms can do a lot for themselves in terms of setting boundaries, it's also important to be realistic with the firm you're going to. They may have great ideals, but sometimes there's only so much you can do.<br /><br />Your situation sounds great -- I am jealous!Allisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-17176259654971426642010-01-26T21:25:26.778-06:002010-01-26T21:25:26.778-06:00Hello Legally Fab! I think I've mentioned thi...Hello Legally Fab! I think I've mentioned this before, but I believe a large part of my firm's flexibility (or awesomeness, as you call it) is actually the office that I'm in. I do love the firm, but I don't think I could continue to work for it if I lived in Houston or Dallas- or at least not as easily and happily. There's something to Austin, with its laid back attitude and people, that attracts partners who are very smart, and want great careers, but aren't quite so... intense as many attorneys in the bigger cities. After all, if they really wanted to prestige and glory of running a billion dollar deal and yelling at people all day, they just wouldn't choose to work in a city so small (especially with two huge ones in the same state). It also helps that because it's a small city, my commute between work and home is less than 10 minutes- that goes a very long way in balancing the two.<br /><br />So while I think my firm has a lot of great policies, and actually makes use of them - and it is probably still the only BigLaw firm I'd work for in any city, it's being specifically in Austin that I credit with making things work as well as they have so far.LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-3695870466480661212010-01-26T19:22:53.810-06:002010-01-26T19:22:53.810-06:00Loved reading this post... I am still just a singl...Loved reading this post... I am still just a single law student but love hearing about women who are wives and moms and attorneys and make it all work. You are an inspiration. <br /> Oh and your firm sounds totally awesome. If I move back to Texas I will have to give you a call.:)Halliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00213593870039027367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-87774841802731021272010-01-26T12:30:52.497-06:002010-01-26T12:30:52.497-06:00This post was really helpful! I am trying to figur...This post was really helpful! I am trying to figure out when I can have my second baby- which is tough since I'll start work in March- but you show that it can be done! I wish there were more female attorneys in my firm to pave the way- but I'm one of two or three....sadly.CPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09049860284871030328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-2272150927800886122010-01-26T10:47:35.372-06:002010-01-26T10:47:35.372-06:00I've been following your blog for quite a whil...I've been following your blog for quite a while now and always found so many similarities between us two. We both have 2 dogs, we both seem to have great husbands, our husbands are both swimmers, both live in Texas, AND I'm a third year law student. I had no idea how similar our lives were until I found out I was pregnant on October 4th (really similar due date to yours I believe: June 15th). We're having a baby girl.<br /><br />Anyway, I wanted to thank you because through all this stress, reading your blog has shown me that eventually, everything will be ok. I just started my own blog if you do want to take a look: happilyalawmama.blogspot.com.Cristyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12575822907004951235noreply@blogger.com