Staying at Home, Staying in the Law: A Guide to Remaining Active in the Legal Profession While Pursuing Your Dreams

by Julie Tower-Pierce

Does leaving the firm mean that you have to leave the profession? Not according to Julie Tower-Pierce who offers advice on everything from devising your transition plan and redefining your success, to staying active and making money from home. Alternative full-time and part-time careers are discussed, including freelance writing, pro-bono opportunities, telework, and compressed workweek options. Includes a helpful list of resources on the subject.

Genres: Law

200 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2009

Reviews

[gaby · Rating 1 out of 5]

A couple hundred pages of ***glistening generalities*** and almost no substance.

This is a thinly-disguised self-help/empowerment book for mommy lawyers. Lots of "Don't feel guilty! It's ok to want to be a stay-at-home mom! Other mommy lawyers have felt that way too!"

Tower-Pierce tries to make the book feel a little more inclusive for lawyers of both genders who might want to cut back or explore options for reasons other than breeding, but she really fails there.

The book's citations are almost exclusively limited to blog posts, anonymous comments from blog posts, and online newspaper articles. Very limited substance there.

Her "tips" for staying in the law while pursuing your dreams (aka breeding) include "twittering" (?), doing pro bono work, and "getting active in your bar association." REALLY? I spent 25 bucks on those staggeringly insightful thoughts?

The author, I surmise, is a small-town lawyer who never worked at a big firm and has worked (when she's worked) at small firms that have been incredibly accommodating and flexible. She obviously has NO idea what it's like to work at a big firm in a big city. Her personal insights and experiences are very fringe and offer nothing to more conventional attorneys in stricter, more conventional settings.

If you're looking for substantive insights about how to go part-time or keep a foot in the door while you pursue other interests, do not bother reading this book.

If you're looking for vague platitudes and affirmation about your decision to be a mommy lawyer, dive right in.

[Adrienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad to get this book from the library since I see the cover price is $49.95 for less than 200 pages. However it is a reference book for other options outside of the field of law, or for working moms who cannot balance both work and family life that may have other options to stay at home and still make an income. Yet it also gives statistical info and inspirational data for those who want to follow their dreams. For instance, some law students leave the profession altogether because of disillusions of the career or study of law itself, as for Gen Y (born after 1976) typically are ready for the challenge to have a better quality of life and increased flexible work options. They also ready for the challenge of the profession to make the necessary sacrifices with their income to have a successful career in law, part of the equation is to have self-fulfillment. The mantra of rising law students and young lawyers: "find something you love and pursue that passion." (page 12).

[Rachel C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book primarily for the chapter on transitioning back to the law. I found that about 60% of the book was helpful, informative and some of it rang true for me as a stay at home parent. I also found some new and unexpected resources for job hunting. I am not sure why this book has gotten harsh criticism. It helped me to specify which items I can add to my resume while I make the transition back to my career. The main criticism I have is that the author on numerous occasions suggests blogging as a viable and well paid career option. Uh, not really.

[Linsey Krolik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read for any woman lawyer who has a family or is planning to have a family. Yes, options exist. And Julie Tower-Pierce does a great job of laying it all out there.