Women in the Profession

An Introduction to Dear NCBA WIP . . .

By WIP members

As part of a monthly blog series, we’ve invited members of the NCBA Women in the Profession (WIP) Committee to share their insights on common challenges faced by women in the legal profession. As you will see in their answers, each member brings a unique perspective and personal experience, resulting in varied responses to the same questions. This diversity of thought underscores that there is rarely a single “right” answer to any given situation. We hope these insights offer valuable perspectives for other female attorneys navigating similar dilemmas in the legal workplace.

How to Survive Practicing Law While Being a Caregiver – Part One

Women in the Profession

Eleanor, a white woman with brown hair, wears a black dress, black blazer, and pearl necklace. By Eleanor Panetti

Twenty-four years ago, I received a call to let me know that my mother needed to be admitted to the hospital. For me, this phone call was the beginning of a fifteen-year period of caregiving which lasted until my mother’s death. I became responsible for my mother’s care all day, every day for fourteen of those fifteen years.

I was part of a two-attorney practice that did not have a family leave policy. I had to adjust my work schedule to accommodate caring for my mother, including managing and overseeing caregivers in her home. In many ways, I was lucky in that resources were available for care; that documents were in place to allow me to step in and handle my mother’s affairs; and that I was not directly denied the opportunity to take care of my family. Many people in our profession are not so lucky.

Member Spotlight: Get to Know Lauren Snyder

Women in the Profession

Lauren, a white woman with brown hair, wears a burgundy colored blouse. Foliage in the background. By Lauren Snyder

My name is Lauren Snyder, and I’m honored to serve as Vice Chair of the WIP Committee this year. I’m also excited to be featured in the first member spotlight this year and look forward to reading about my fellow members in the months to come!

What law school did you attend, and what was your graduation year?

GW Law, 2013.

Describe what a typical workday is like.

I just moved in-house after ten and a half years in private practice, so it has shifted quite a bit. My job now is negotiating contracts and solving corporate problems. I love the mix of drafting/editing agreements and meeting with folks to help solve problems in real time. I’d say I spend about half my time in meetings and half drafting. I also have awesome colleagues who I love to get lunch with or attend various SAS activities with. (I recently took an amazing cooking class and have signed up for a ballet strength conditioning class in October.)