Preparing for and Returning From Maternity Leave as a Lawyer Mom

I returned to work from maternity leave two weeks ago, and it feels like I’ve lived 1,000 lifetimes since then! Balancing lawyer work with life as a new mother of four was truly jarring. Thankfully, the work I did to prepare for maternity leave really helped the work side of my work/life equation. I look back at my past self and just want to hug her for the prep work she did—it made my transition back to work a little easier.

So today, I wanted to share some tips that helped me prepare for maternity leave and some tips that have helped me transition back from maternity leave to work. Note that even though these tips are specific to law practice in a larger firm setting, these tips could still be helpful for any professional setting!

Preparing for Maternity Leave

1. Inform your job as early as possible when you expect to take leave and for how long: I found it extremely helpful to get everyone — my practice group leaders, senior attorneys, and partners that I worked with locally and in other offices — on the same page.
2. Draft transition memos for each case: For each case I was on, I drafted the facts as I understood them, the procedural history, contact information for clients and witnesses, and other helpful information for the transitioning attorney to take over for me.
3. Meet with the employee who is taking over for you in your absence: I met with the transitioning attorney to review the memo and to answer any questions that they have so that they are prepared to take over the matter in my absence.
4. Contact your benefits and leave coordinator: You will need to provide documentation about your need for leave. You’ll also want to make sure that you stay in touch with them during your leave.
5. Contact your state disability insurance program, if applicable: Make sure that you’re providing documentation not only to the coordinator but to any state disability insurance programs that are responsible for paid family leave, such as what we have in California.
6. If you pay for parking at work, cancel it: You’ll want to make sure you cancel parking if you are paying for parking at your job.
7. Notify organizations of your upcoming leave, if applicable: You’ll want to notify your voluntary bar associations ifyou serve in leadership capacities with them.
8. Finish up any professional education credits you need: For attorneys, we need to complete a certain number of “Continuing Legal Education” credits periodically after being admitted to the bar to maintain our legal knowledge and competency. Before you go offline, you may want to finish up earning your CLEs and make sure your bar dues are taken care of. If you are required to maintain professional credits, make sure you have a plan in place for your absence.

Returning from Maternity Leave

1. Talk through childcare and day-to-day life with your husband: This may sound like it goes without saying, but it’s not as obvious as it may seem. Really sit down and talk through the day with your husband — who is getting the kids ready in the morning? Who is responsible for dropping off at school or daycare? Who is going to the soccer game? Who is doing pickups? The doctors’ appointments? Break out your calendars and talk through your schedule to eliminate day-of disagreements and avoidable fire drills.
2. Be sure to tamp down your self-care routine, figure out your food prep schedule, and prepare your home: Having your home life situated takes a load off of your mind when you return to work. I tested out different schedules to see how I could still take care of myself with other obligations. I tried to do a few “dress rehearsals” of waking up early, having quiet time, getting to the gym, and coming back in time to help with the kids’ morning routines. I also narrowed down my food prep schedule to cooking two times per week, and that schedule is working well for my family. Lastly, I decluttered each of our rooms and donated items, took inventory of the kids’ clothes to see what was outgrown, and purchased some clothes for my new postpartum body!
3. Set up a meeting with your manager, boss, etc.: If you can, try to set up a meeting with your manager, boss, or inmy case, practice group leader, one month before you return to work. You can ask about any changes to the workplace that took place while you were away, anything you should keep in mind, or any other questions that come to mind.
4. If you have a coach, schedule time to meet with them: The coach can help you develop a strategy for returning to work as a new mother, reassessing your vision in light of your changed family, and just be a sounding board for any concerns or worries you have.

No Matter What, Grace Yourself

Let me tell you — I did my best to prepare for the transition from work and the transition back to work, and I still felt disoriented upon return. My cases seemed just fine in my absence, but I came back a different woman. I left as a mother of three and I came back as a mother of four. My mind is different, my body is certainly different, and I just feel different all around. I am trying to grace myself in this new season and be gentle with myself — giving myself rest when I need itand not allowing work to get out of control.

I hope these tips help! You’ve got this, mama!