With Mother’s Day around the corner, I wanted to take a moment to share with you all a bit of my own experience as a mother. I opened my own law firm when my son was only 3 months old. Though I often tell people it was the best decision I have ever made for my career, it has by no means been “easy.” Some called me crazy for doing it, and part of me probably was, but the reward of having complete control over the representation of my clients, allowing them to benefit from my legal services, while managing my own schedule so that I can spend quality time with my newborn. Eventually, thanks to my decision to work for myself as a solo practitioner, I found the freedom to grow my practice, sharpen my legal skills, and become the experienced attorney and civil litigator I am today, in addition to being a mom (and now of 2 wild boys).
As a full-time working mother myself, who was also raised by a strong-willed, passionate, full-time working mother, I am all too familiar with the feelings of guilt, anxiety, and pressure we feel at any given time: we have to make homemade baby food, while also researching legal arguments, go to Motion Calendar Hearing in Court at 8:45 am, then head to your kid’s holiday party at school by10:00 am, but only for 20 minutes before your conference call with opposing counsel at 10:30 am. It’s a constant juggling act, balancing act, or really, a circus act – whatever you want to call it, mothers show up and handle it.
For that, I want to take a moment to thank my own mother, as well as all of the mothers out there, whether you’re a lawyer or a homemaker, because you deserve far more recognition than you get. Thank you for showing up and handling it.
Yours Sincerely,
Melissa Caballero Alton, Esq.