Biglaw

New Mothers Working In Biglaw Should 'Quit Whining' About Breastfeeding

They should just do their work and make sure everyone knows they're still dedicated to their job, advises one partner.

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[Q]uit whining [and] do what you feel you need to do to deal with the eternal work-life struggle. [A woman with a new child has] an obligation to let the employer know she is the same devoted worker pre-and post-baby. I was in it to win it. If someone said to me they wouldn’t fly cross country for a meeting because ‘I have a baby,’ I would question that person’s commitment to their career, male or female. [S]tay present in your job while pumping as much as possible. Own it. I took conference calls while pumping and when someone said ‘what’s that noise?’ I responded ‘my breast pump.’

— an anonymous Am Law 100 firm female partner with three kids, all of whom she’s breastfed, telling Vivia Chen of The Careerist why she thinks it’s “ridiculous” that new mothers working in Biglaw feel like they must make a choice between being a good parent who breastfeeds and a good lawyer.

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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