Authenticity & Motherhood

Like any superhero, lawyer-moms sometimes feel like we live a double life. In one moment, we are patient and nurturing, and, in another, we are zealous advocates who won’t take no for an answer. Sometimes it seems the two responsibilities are entirely at odds. We might wonder if the identities themselves are irreconcilable, each defined by a warring set of skills and demands. We wonder if we could ever integrate the two — or just be ourselves.

Authenticity is immensely important to our performance and our satisfaction in work. We need to feel like we know who we are, we understand our strengths and values, and that we can make traction toward our own meaningful goals. We need to feel like we can BE who we are at work, bringing our wide range of talents and experiences to the table in addition to the legal skills we’ve honed. And, of course, within the boundaries of professionalism, ethics, and effective representation for our clients.

Lawyer-moms are tired of the old models. The archetype of the “man to see,” which looks nothing like us and serves almost none of our clients. The billable hour standard, which doesn’t reflect the value that we add. The expectation of shadowing a role model who lives a life we don’t want to emulate. The myth of a flat structure that rewards seniority rather than accomplishment and innovation. Those standards do not serve authenticity, and they make us miserable more often than not.

Continued…

Read the rest of the article at Above the Law, https://abovethelaw.com/2021/03/authenticity-and-motherhood/