By Nancy Rice, Joint First Junior Clerk at Temple Garden Chambers
The Mother, from the moment of a positive pregnancy test, contemplates how she will maintain her career, during pregnancy (which can very often be complex for a multitude of medical reasons/appointments), whilst she is on maternity leave and then upon her return. This all takes military style planning; logistically, mentally, financially and emotionally. The essential item to make all of this work is an amazing “Support network(SN)”. This SN includes your partner/friends(and their place of work), work colleagues/employer, grandparents, childcare provider and a child that also allows sufficient sleep!
Having had two children I was in the very fortunate position of having parents who lived locally and were able to assist with childcare and the ungodly hours this required to allow for an in-person position in London. The children were dropped off at 7am in their PJs (often with grandparents in PJs too) then collected when they were ready to get back in their sleepwear and go to bed. On days like these you do wonder what you are doing and if it is worth it when they are such a young age and you do not get to see them for half of the week. But the children and grandparent alike loved these moments together. This evolved into nursery days and childminder days and the social and developmental skills this provides them with were much greater than me as a mother who still had the desire and determination of a successful career. Many people’s needs differ and if it is a financial requirement that sends them out the door each day rather than a love of their job – for these folks I do feel sympathy.
Chambers recognised in me (and as do other chambers their staff members) the unbeatable work ethic of a Mother who comes to work to cram everything into their day to allow them to be their best self in chambers and thereafter the best Mother at home (sometimes we also Mother those in Chambers too!) We do this as we “don’t want to let the side down” we also want to ensure our position is maintained and in fact promotion occurs. Remote working was not optional when I had my children and I am delighted for those who now benefit from WFH but I do feel an in-person presence for some of the week is vital for personal growth and to retain your Chambers identity for the time when your children no longer need you… yes, sadly that day does come!
Now the children are older their appreciation and pride in what their mother has achieved for herself, and them, has made them strong independent women who know there is no limit in what they can do in life. All those long days of beating myself up if I was doing the right thing by them, my husband, parents, chambers and finally me seem like a distant memory. This was all possibly due to my SN. Chambers recognises its pivotal position in this SN by implementing policies (parental leave, flexible working, remote working, E&D and Wellbeing) along with mentor schemes to ensure you are as supported in chambers as you are at home.
All you can but do is stay true to yourself and your career goals, plan accordingly and be forceful in implementing those steps without conceding too much in any one department (concessions will need to be made in every department sadly but plan to keep these to a minimum).
Mentoring
At the point of starting my clerking career in 1991 there were very few women in the profession. Through the decades I have been fortunate enough to see this change along with various initiatives to attract and retain females both in clerking and at the Bar.
There were times the challenge to be acknowledged as being worthy of the position of a Barristers’ Clerk seemed a hill many were not willing to climb. Perseverance (and thick skin) were a necessity and now those of us who went through those gruelling years are a testament to how there is a place for all within chambers– and rightly so!
Having had two maternity leaves and guided many members through the work/life seesaw and now in the throes of menopause I am well placed to give guidance and an understanding ear for those starting out in their career, mid-career and looking to progress through the ranks and for those still at times wondering how they can do everything for everyone.
