Being a white collar litigation partner at Cadwalader and the father of seven was difficult even before the COVID-19 pandemic came crashing into our lives. Virtually overnight our family was self-isolated, and I was pivoting to a remote law practice while juggling multiple hours of homeschooling each day. As I write this column the first week is behind us and our family is still adjusting to the new reality. But amid our struggle and the hardships hitting the nation, it has caused us to seriously consider what we want our children to take away from this experience.

Years ago my wife and I decided she would forgo an outside career and be a full-time mother so I could pursue a hard-charging Big Law partnership. For the most part it has worked. I get the time I need to service clients and develop business while my wife manages the kids’ schoolwork, extracurriculars and most everything else that comes up. With three graduate degrees between us, we appreciate the value of education. And since we both come from military backgrounds, we put a lot of stock in discipline and routine, and most of the time the household runs like a well-oiled machine.

Four of the Merino children engage in online learning. (Courtesy photo) Four of the Moreno children engage in online learning. (Courtesy photo)