Has anyone on here successfully taken a few years off to raise children and then come back to a meaningful practice? For reference, 7th year associate with a young baby and plans to have at least one or two more. Often get intrusive thoughts of quitting to stay home but don’t want career suicide if I decide I want to come back after a few years. Corporate transactional practice.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

You’ll hear anecdotes from people who took years off and returned to a great job and from people who took years off and felt it really stymied their career. I didn’t stop work after having kids, but my take is that your ability to return to “meaningful practice” will largely depend on the job market at the time, your connections, and some luck. These can’t really be predicted unfortunately. I would take the time off if you feel a strong pull to. Maybe your first job back isn’t a dream but you’ll likely end up where you want eventually. And, maybe your priorities change and what you think you’d want now no longer makes sense with three kiddos.

likehelpful

Lawyer mom with grown kids chiming in - I had great child care when they were littles, and I went to a reduced work arrangement when the oldest started kindergarten and kept it until the youngest graduated high school. I never stopped working and now that I have retirement in sight I am so glad I stayed in the workforce (not because I love my law practice lol, but financially and career-wise it was the responsible thing to do). This I will say - your kids need you around the most when they are teenagers, so if you are considering a career break or scaling down, that is a good time for it!

like

I have been on both 70% and 85% reduced pace arrangements since kids, and it has generally worked well. It basically allows you to better set boundaries and say no to work. Deal flow will always mean that there are some bad day, weeks and months, but they aren’t as often, if you manage staffing well with your team. My firm will also compensate for working above reduced pace. So if I end up billing 100% even though I was at 85%, they will pay out that lost salary at the end of the year along with my bonus.

like

Know a few. Quite hard to be honest

like

I posted about this a few months ago in the Women in Law bowl and got some helpful perspective there. I ended up taking the plunge and told my firm I am taking some time off from work and that I don’t really have any plans for anything in the next 6 months. I was really concerned about being able to come back to work whenever I do feel ready, but that fear has lessened, mostly because I’m not focused on work at all right now (kinda moved to the back burner - still there in theory but don’t really think about it much). My group was very understanding and supportive and now that I’m a couple months in, I am so glad I did it. It was the right move for me, and I’m extremely lucky and privileged to be in a position to make this choice.

like

I gave this a lot of thought (and research) after my second, and think it’s possible but takes planning and managing expectations. The Power Pause is worth a read. I ended up taking an extended LOA and am now back. Happy to chat.

About a year, but probably could have gone for longer. The LOA was great, because it allowed me to experience being a SAHM while still keeping my foot in the door. I went back because my youngest was going to be starting a part-day 2’s program, so between that and nap, it’s less time with them during the day. And we found a really great and proactive new nanny that would do a lot of house manager type work while the kids were in school in the morning. The transition back hasn’t been easy (mostly from a mom-guilt perspective), but it’s slowly getting better.

like

By the time I’ll be able to afford 1 kid my eggs will probably be all dried up. Lol smh

Related Posts

Where can we check legitimate cutoff for Canada express entry PR?
How often do the results come out? is it every month?
After submitting your profile in how many days can one expect to get Invitation?

McK & BCG Folks - Any news on salary increases in your London office? Do you think it's likely there will be a compensation increase by end of year or do you think they'll just offer a COVID retention bonus and leave it at that?

like

Hey! Anyone have any rental apartment/building recommendations in D.C. (1 bedroom)? Also open to Silver Spring. $1600 budget but open to going a bit higher.

like

Got Invisalign (Lite) today!! If all goes to plan, I’ll be done with treatment before fall. Any advice from those who had or have invisalign? 🦷😁🦷

like

Anyone here who gets Botox? What alternatives did you consider? Do you regret it?
Early 30s M. Thinking of getting preventative treatment but slightly apprehensive that my face would end up looking stretched/weird.

like

Has anyone used some kind of adhd coach or just like a therapist or psychologist that you’ve found useful and could recommend? 🙏

like

I like my job, and my team, and what I do. But damn if I’m not underpaid 😅 small company problems lol. I know I’ll have a salary review next spring (one year) but I’m working a second job cuz student loans blow ass lol. Gotta repay those degrees I don’t use anymore 🙃

Don’t mind me just venting lol. Carry on!

like

Got an offer for SE III at a large tech company. Product I'd be working on interests me and I think I could grow more than in my current role.

Currently I make 180k base and have ISO/RSUs @ startup (60k/yr worth on paper, but won't be worth anything for a few years, if at all).

The offer is:
Base: $166,500
Target Bonus: 10% ($16,650)
RSU: 120k total (30k/yr)

Thoughts on offer? Should I counter?

Additionally there's a yearly target RSU bonus about equal to the cash bonus. Thoughts? 4.5 YOE

like

Hi all i am looking for a change. Currently working with Citibank from last 8 years with an annual package of 11L. I am a service and sales relationship manager with experience in credit cards, casa, mutual funds, insurance. I am irda and amfi certified. Looking for an opportunity in Mumbai.

MBB folks, I’m a Product Manager (non-tech company) and interested in working at MBB.

Which level/role does MBB can offer me ?

like

How is Deloitte Risk advisory cyber risk( tprm) in terms of career growth.. What kind of job it is is it technical, or business analyst, risk analyst kind of job. I am a person with 1.5 yrs of experience so less knowledge in this matters. Is it something I can make a career in it. Deloitte

like

New Delta Marriott deal - 2 miles per $1 spent. Anyone switching to earn miles?

like

Does anyone know where on the United website where I can see all my future PQMs, PQDs, and PQSs for the rest of the year?

like

Without asking or confirming, account lead booked an in-person client meeting that requires travel. Who books ~any~ major client meeting without first checking with the team ?

like

Experiential Marketing position, remote w/ some travel and 5 years of experience. Any idea of salary range?

like

Any senior level writers looking for a job in LA? have a lead on a gig that requires a team. Message me with your book if so.

like

Any Afrocarribean events happening in the DMV?

like

Hoping to get my PHR in the next year or so. Outside of employer reimbursement, are there other opportunities for this to get funded? I know SHRM Foundation offers scholarships for the CP, but I am looking for PHR specific help. Thank you! :)

Today’s my bday. Also my beloved family dog is getting put to sleep due to cancer. I didn’t take the day off today for either reasons. Do I have my priorities messed up right now?

like

Additional Posts in Law

Anyone else here kinda like doing doc review? (In moderation of course)

likehelpful

Idk, maybe it’s time we bring these engineers and techs down. If my 🧠 links to a 💻 , all of my non-billable work will come to light. 😤

Post Photo
like

Any thoughts on Phillips Lytle? If you could please provide insight on culture/billable requirements? Thank you.

like

This is not my wheelhouse so I’m not sure of the answer. If someone is writing a “memoir” and is including me in it, and I DONT want to be in the book, do I have any legal recourse? I understand since it’s been published it doesn’t meet any invasion of privacy or potential defamation yet, but is there something I can do preliminarily to protect myself and stop my inclusion?

like

Probably a foolish question: are bonuses based off of raw billable hours or billable hours modified by the partners?

like

Does anyone practice White Collar criminal defense in NYC or know a decent amount about it? Is it fun or fulfilling? Is it a good way to break into government work in the future?

like

Did anyone not meet their billable hours requirement during their first year of employment? If so, how did your firm react? 😬

like

What do partners generally expect from third-year litigation associates (smaller firm) as far as legal, professional, and/or case management skills go?
I still feel like I can’t (or don’t know how to) manage or push cases forward and like I’m constantly behind on everything—is this normal?

like

How do you wind down after a rough day?

like

Anyone at Pryor Cashman have intel on firm culture, work/life balance, and comp?

like

I am traveling out of town for callback interviews. One firm wants me to commit a full day of interviews. Would it be reasonable to ask for a half day so I can fit 2 callbacks in the same day?

like

What productivity hacks do you employ? I like to shut off my email for 25 min intervals to focus on real work. It’s like a sprint of focus without being “unavailable” too long.

like

Do anyone know any legal admins or paralegals looking for contract/part-time work in California?

like

What is the most “do as I say, not as I do” thing you’ve been told or punished/reprimaded for as an associate?

like

Has anyone been admitted to Massachusetts by transfer of UBE score? I submitted my application in July and took and passed the state law exam today. How long after this were you admitted? Thanks!

like

Does anyone know the starting salary for Jackson Lewis in the firm's Connecticut office, as well as the billable hours requirement?

like

Does anyone else work as in-house for government? Local? Provincial/State? Federal?

Alston & Bird LLP Does anyone have any insight into associate pay, bonuses, min billable hours, and general work/life balance at Alston & Bird LLP? (DC Office)

like

Second year associate here who recently switched from litigation to corporate law. I am absolutely swamped while simultaneously having no idea what I’m doing ever and I’m feeling so burnt out. The partners are pretty great and feedback is constructive which I’m grateful for, but I’m so desperate for a compliment I’ve been saving any scrap of positivity in a folder 😭 it’s December 22 and I haven’t done my Christmas shopping because I don’t feel capable of thinking about it. I need a hug.

likeuplifting

Any advice on how to deal with a partner/boss who is shifting all responsibility to me with zero guidance, no mentoring, and an unwillingness to discuss the issues? (Small firm, only associate under this partner and have been working at the firm for 2 years). There are an increasing number of passive aggressive comments from the partner who expects to be completely hands off once the case lands on my desk. Wants me to figure it all out despite cases being from different areas of law.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal