Here's the scoop . . .

So, I ran into some friends this weekend who had read the blog and were anxious to find out what my "big news" is.  They were not the first ones to think that it had something to do with a new little one joining our family.  Although George asked me if we could get a new baby - a girl baby, specifically - I am still thoroughly enjoying the consumption of wine and other adult beverages, so please accept that as confirmation that I am not pregnant.  I swear, I had one bottle of water at an event this weekend, and suddenly everyone assumed I was pregnant.  Guys.  Please.  I am allowed to enjoy water between alcoholic beverages.

Okay, with that said, here's the hugemongous news - bigger, I think, than being pregnant:








Are you ready?










Here it is.








I am changing the tagline of my Blog.  It will soon read:

The Professional Mother: full-time mother; part-time attorney.

If this does not clue you in sufficiently, let me explain in plain terms that I have recently given my notice at my current law firm and will resign from the law firm in mid-December.  The plan is to spend a few weeks watching my crazy children before they go back to school after the holidays.  And then I will embark on a new and wonderfully exciting new chapter of my life as I open my own practice, focusing on employment law, estate planning, and non-profit law.  To be clear, I am thrilled about everything!  Chuck is thrilled about everything (except for the cut in pay)!  The kids are less than thrilled, but not disappointed. 

It will be a huge change for our family.  It will be a huge change for my career.  Accordingly, it was a HUGE decision.  I agonized over it.  I talked about it for hours and days, and months, to Chuck while he patiently listened and offered advice, until he finally told me to just make a decision already.  And so, I did.  I decided that this was the best thing for me, my family, and my career. 

The law firm is the only law firm I think I could ever work for, but at the moment, firm life and the demands of complex litigation are more than I can handle.  For years, people have said to me, "I don't know how you do it all." and I've responded honestly with, "I don't do it all.  Just come look at my house; it's a mess.  The kids are lucky if they get a bath once or twice a week.  We almost never make dinner.  And we are always behind on our laundry."  The truth is that it is impossible to do it all at the same time with two demanding careers.  And so, while I will still continue to practice law and be present in the legal community, it will be in a different way from now on.  I will be just as ambitious and just as committed to the practice of law, but the time will be reduced and I will increase the face-time I have with my precious children.  I'm proud to say that my priorities are in line. 

So there you have it.  That's my "news".  Wish me luck!