Why have you chosen to make your career at Husch Blackwell?
I started my law practice in 2010 as a summer associate in the Washington, DC, office of an international firm, where I met my husband. When our first son was born, we didn’t have the option to work remotely or part-time. As sleep-deprived young parents, we found it extremely challenging to meet the demands of our jobs and care for our son, so I decided to take a break from practicing law to stay home with him.
After a couple of years, we moved our growing family to Phoenix, where my husband found an in-house position and we felt we could cultivate a slower pace of life that allowed for more family time. I waited until my second son was a toddler to take the Arizona bar exam and returned to practicing law at a midsize regional firm.
In 2020, a recruiter contacted me about Husch Blackwell. I was initially hesitant, but when I asked about the firm’s reputation for work-life balance, the recruiter said the culture was different than other large firms and that the people she placed there were happy. When I interviewed, a partner cited examples of successful female attorneys at the firm who were mothers and enjoyed alternative career paths. Hearing how they were able to flex their careers throughout different phases of their lives appealed to me.
Describe your experience working as part of The Link, the firm’s virtual office.
Prior to officially joining The Link, Husch Blackwell allowed me to work remotely, as I joined the firm during the pandemic. While I am still affiliated with the Phoenix office, attend in-person office activities, and meet with clients at the office, being a part of The Link allows me to work from our summer home in the mountains, where it’s significantly cooler and my kids enjoy attending summer camp outdoors. Being a part of The Link also allows me to work a flexible schedule and not lose time to a daily commute. I typically work in the early morning, get my kids off to school, squeeze in a workout, return to work, help with my kids’ homework and after-school sports, and then jump back online to take care of work. Before joining Husch Blackwell, I used to get home most nights after my kids were in bed. Now, I get to tuck them in!
And while The Link is a virtual office, it provides a wonderful sense of community through virtual town hall meetings with hundreds of others who are also part of The Link. I’m inspired by the personal stories they share about how their lives, like mine, are enriched by this opportunity.
How has Husch Blackwell supported you in achieving work-life balance beyond The Link?
I have been pleasantly surprised by how well attorneys and partners respect others’ time offline. Some will even include “Don’t respond to this until Monday” in the subject line of an email sent over the weekend. There isn’t a sense of needing to be tethered to your device at night or on weekends. Unplugging helps prevent burnout and is essential to good mental health.
What is one thing that makes Husch Blackwell special?
The firm recognizes that attorneys bring value to the firm in many different ways. I serve on the board of Lifewell, an Arizona-based nonprofit headquartered in Phoenix that provides treatment, services and support for low-income individuals with mental or physical health issues and/or substance use disorders. The firm supports me in this endeavor and provides additional opportunities to give back to the community through pro bono work and reduced-rate work for nonprofit clients.
What is your advice for a new hire?
Whether you’re part of The Link or work in a physical office, take the initiative to reach out to people – either on the firm’s business communication platform or in person. You’ll be amazed at the relationships you can build, even in a virtual environment.