Almost Anniversaries and Happy Returns

I published this (and a related LinkedIn post) a couple weeks ago and then got a call early the next morning from a partner about to go skiing with his kids to let me know the firm had a whole PR rollout planned for my big news and could I maybe wait? Then the global head of PR emailed to let me know they were creating a backup plan if the news needed to go out asap and his team was working on a press release and I was like "oh my god I don't even work there yet and I've messed something up and made people work on a weekend." So I pulled the posts because I definitely did not need to break this newstory via blog post.

So now, please go back in time, to the moment when I was going to announce an ending of one amazing phase of my career and the beginning of another. And then I'll write one about getting this next chapter started!

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[Feb. 4, 2022] Last week, on the exact 10 year anniversary of the day I told my old law firm that I was leaving to go to the SEC, I told my supervisors at the SEC that I was leaving to go back to my old law firm. I left Vinson & Elkins as a mid-level associate in the Austin office and am rejoining as an equity partner in the Dallas office and I could not be more excited about this change and the opportunity it provides for me, my career, and my family.

It's the perfect thing at the perfect time and after a million interviews, a hundred phone calls with contacts and mentors, a dozen business plan drafts, and a full partnership vote for admission, I could burst with how happy I am to have it all worked out and official.

My last day at the SEC was today. The whole family came to help me say goodbye to Office 1930 and the kids posed for one more picture crowded around my desk and one more picture in front of the SEC sign. We got a few inches of snow yesterday and everything remained frozen solid today, so I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to get to the office to turn in my devices, but the roads cleared just in enough in the afternoon to allow James's 4WD car to get me and my pack downtown.

I have two weeks off and then I start at the firm on February 21st. The week of my 39th birthday. The last year of my 30's and the start of a whole new chapter. I am, as noted above, VERY. EXCITED. about every bit of this. We took the kids bowling after I turned everything in and I bowled a strike on my first frame. I'm seeing this as an auspicious sign for this next step.

2013

In support of this new path, James and I have spent a lot of time talking about how the balance of responsibilities will shift between us, the childcare we need to get everyone where they need to be each day, and our overall goals for this next stage. So far this has involved many conversations, watching the final season of Hanna on Amazon Prime, two spreadsheets, several lists, and a consultation with a CPA and financial advisor. I feel like there should be some sort of power point at the end.

2014

In other changes we are finally turning the TV room into a real in-home office for me! No more working out of the corner of our bedroom! I spent a weekend clearing out our old bookcases, selling all our furniture, and am working with a desiger to rework the whole space. My new desk has been delivered and I am obsessed. It is so pretty and sturdy and heavy (300+ lbs!) with beautiful details and all the drawers and a hidden section for the cords to be wrangled. James also has a new desk and we have a really nice sleeper sofa for guests or Landon when he doesn't want to sleep in the girls when we have guests. I'm so excited about using the space in this new way and I have a pink oriental-style rug, pretty chandalier, crazy wallpaper, and the most beautiful art piece for the wall behind my desk. I can't wait for the project to be done so I can show you!

2015

Also on the to do list is finding me a suit. I do not currently own one, and while I did approximately 167 interviews during my job search, they were nearly all on Zoom and I could get away with just a blazer + top + pants (possibly of the pajama varietal). I've tried on everything at Ann Taylor and didn't love any of it. I've now ordered options from J Crew and Banana Republic because Nordstrom has absolutely nothing and Dillards had one (and it was a no). It's almost like stores know people are mostly working from home and not dressing up... [Feb. 23 update - I found a suit! I now have this blazer and this skirt from J Crew in every color because it's the first almost flattering business suit I've ever worn.]

2016

As I make this transition and look forward to all that lies ahead, I've been doing a lot of musing on how we got here. In March it would have been 10 years at the government and will be 10 years in this house and this city- a city neither James nor I had been to until we house hunted for 3 hours and then moved here. I didn't know a single person in the DFW area and often felt so alone and unconnected. Now James has taught 1 out of every 5 kids we see around town and I see someone I know everywhere I go. I've taught barre and yoga to so many, served on PTA Boards, gotten to know my kids' friends' parents, know the names of the people I see each day. I have a community here, a deep, well-rooted one, and for that and many other reasons I will be commuting to Dallas 3 days a week and working from home the other 2 instead of moving. At least for this phase of life, I want the kids to continue in their schools and I want to stay in my community here. James has built an incredible team and reputation as a coach and we both want that to continue (and not just because he coaches our three kids, but also exactly because of that).

2017

As I look back at the last decade I feel so grateful for all that my last job change gave us: incredible legal experience and expertise for me, a new and fulfilling career path for James, our SEC ThirdBaby who brought us all immeasurable joy, opportunities for all three kids to explore their interests and have very present parents...

2018

Besides marrying James, joining the SEC is the best decision I’ve ever made and I’m so grateful for my amazing colleagues and the opportunity I've had to serve the public. I’ll never forget sending my first subpoena and taking my first testimony- it’s been a joy and honor and I’m proud of every case I’ve brought.

2022

The last ten years have been an adventure and a gift; I can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings!