Keeping-Tabs-Fall-2023

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THE BALANCED BREAK: INSIGHTS FROM A PARENT LITIGATOR
Litigating and Parenting:
Musings from a young
advocate and a new-ish mom
Lisa Delaney (she/her), Cox & Palmer
When I first started thinking about this piece,
I considered offering some ‘tips’ for litigation
practice post-children. But then I remembered
how, as a parent, the last thing we want, or
need, is more unsolicited advice. That is what
the internet and your in-laws are for! Instead,
I thought I would offer my musings about returning
to practice after parental leave, and the
things that I have found worked for me (or not)
as I adjust to litigating and parenting.
As a private practice litigator, the billable
hour is always looming. However, I am grateful
for how supportive my firm has been. The partners
and staff at my firm have gone out of their
way to ensure I have the resources that I need
and that I am not under water with work. I recognize
that not everyone is so lucky. But supportive
firms exist — I can testify as such.
Carving out time
Before I had my son, I was militant about monitoring
and responding to my e-mails no matter
what time they landed in my inbox. However,
since my parental leave, I made the decision
to turn off the notifications on my phone from
daycare pick-up until my son’s bedtime. It was
hard at first, but it has become my new normal.
We’re taught to be available all the time,
but in my experience, very few things require
an immediate response. Muting notifications
during those few hours allows me to
be fully present with my child and gives me
some time to transition from my workday.
Using technology
If we can be grateful for one thing that the
pandemic has brought us, it is flexible work ar-
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