Three steps to getting back onto the career track after being a stay-at-home mom
For the first 12 years of my career, I was an all-in patent litigator achieving outstanding results for my clients and for my firm, Robins Kaplan LLP. The next eight years, I devoted myself entirely to being a stay-at-home mom, caring for my twins, managing my son’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis, and navigating the challenges of the COVID pandemic. For the past three years, I have been both an all-in mom and an all-in (yet part-time!) partner again at Robins Kaplan. My story isn’t linear and didn’t go as expected, but I think it mirrors what many women go through. Here are three key pieces of advice I have for those who, like me, are on nontraditional career paths.
Maintain your relationships. No matter where your career takes you, stay connected with your closest work colleagues: take them to coffee, go out to dinner, see each other’s families, spend time together. You never know where your career will go or how you might overlap with them in the future. During my time at home, I kept in touch with my “work family,” and these connections were instrumental in my return to the firm. Some of those former colleagues are now my clients. The relationships you build at work can have a lasting impact on your life and career.
Do excellent work. The quality of your work defines your reputation and leaves a lasting impression. Always perform at your best, manage your time well, put in the effort, and follow-up on your performance. During my 12 years managing large patent litigation cases, our success was largely due to the hard work and dedication we brought to each case. The high-quality work I delivered was a key reason I was invited back into the firm’s partnership after eight years away. Your work is your calling card – make it amazing.
Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Make sure those you work with know what your goals are and don’t hesitate to be vocal about them: whether you aspire to make partner, move up the executive chain, or take on a leadership role – clearly communicate your intentions. When I returned to the firm, I initially took on a Counsel role despite being a Partner when I left. After a few months as Counsel, I recognized that I was performing at the Partner level, and requested to be voted back into the partnership. If I hadn’t asked, it wouldn’t have happened. Always be clear about your career goals and ensure those who can help you achieve them are aware of your ambitions.
