The Mommy Track

Does the alarm bell on your biological clock signal an end to your legal career?   If you're contemplating an addition to the family, take a look at a book recently acquired by the Law Research Center.  In "Staying at Home, Staying in the Law," Julie Tower-Pierce summarizes the angst:

"You've got to be kidding, right?  You want to trade in your legal career and all you've worked for over the years for diaper duty and competitive soccer mom banter?  Have you lost your mind? ... Don't you still owe money on that degree?  How is the legal profession ever going to change if women like you leave the workplace?   What a waste.  Oh, by the way, thanks a lot for standing up for feminism."          (p. 16)

If any of this sounds familiar, Tower-Pierce  offers support and practical advice on topics including the transition from practicing law to staying home (and transitioning back again), money matters, how to keep your foot in the door, alternatives to the traditional track, alternative careers, and staying marketable.

For example, from a list of 84 ways to stay in the law (p. 75-79):  Become a freelance legal researcher -- offer to teach a seminar -- join a bar association committee and run for a leadership position -- volunteer at a legal aid clinic -- become a freelance writer on legal topics -- sign up for law-related listservs -- volunteer to be a moot court judge at your local law school -- enter legal writing contests -- listen to law-related podcasts -- mentor a law student -- borrow CLE videos from your local law library -- read a legal book and write a review -- start your own legal blog -- stay connected with your former colleagues and law school classmates --  become a bar exam proctor  -- mentor a law student --   seek out pro bono opportunities -- become a guardian ad litem -- do projects at home for past employers -- organize a community event for a legal-related charity -- hang out with lawyers.

You'll find Tower-Pierce's book in the Jobs/Career section of the Law Research Center at KF299.W6T68 2008, and other books concerning women in the legal profession under KF299.W6... upstairs.  Check them out!

Posted by Patricia Bingham-Harper