Courts

Texas Judge Steps Up In Defense Of Lawyers Who Are Parents

Finally -- some good news.

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Recently a lot of attention is being paid to the struggles of attorneys who are pregnant or parents. But I guess that’s what happens when a Biglaw partner gets suspended from his high-powered job after implying his adversary is using her pregnancy as a ploy to get a trial continuance and a giant internet rumble breaks out over it.

But here’s the thing — this isn’t the first, or likely the last, time becoming a parent is used as a weapon against (usually) women attorneys to somehow prove they’re incapable of doing their job. Whether it’s having to take your infant to court because a judge wouldn’t delay a hearing while the lead counsel was on maternity leave, or getting yelled at when a pregnancy requires you ask opposing counsel for a delay, women attorneys are often put into the position of having to apologize for their part in continuing the human species.

Judge RK Sandill

That’s why it is so refreshing to see a judge take a proactive step to support lawyers who are starting a family. Judge R.K. Sandill of Texas’s 127th Civil District Court announced a policy automatically granting a continuance for any lead counsel following the birth or adoption of a child:

Proud to support Texas families in my court by granting a 120 day trial continuance for the birth or adoption of a child for any lead counsel who requests such relief. #FamilyFirst #law

Judge Sandill probably has a pretty good idea of how difficult the work/life balance can be — not only is he a father himself, but he’s married to Biglaw partner Kelly Sandill of Hunton Andrews Kurth. Judge Sandill is the first district court judge in Texas of South Asian descent, and is running for a seat on the Texas Supreme Court.

You can read the judge’s standing order below.

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headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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