While many articles address the topic of work-life balance for the “young” lawyer, these topics typically look at making time for self-wellness activities, vacation time or how to plan a wedding as a working associate. However, many young lawyers, male and female, find themselves trying to balance their own fast-paced law career with an oft-unmentioned 8lb 12oz gorilla in the room—a new baby. Specifically, how to excel at being that modern-renaissance man or woman we fantasize about—championing legal challenges by day, changing diapers by night, all while making time for yoga/running/cross-fit or whatever other projections of success we have put on ourselves.

A key ingredient to making it all work is taking time off to develop the connections with your new child, to adapt to the new family reality, and to recover and/or support your partner’s recovery. Yet, in our uber-modern society, the topic of parental leave is still somewhat taboo. The tide seems to be turning, and firms seem to be recognizing that leave is a necessity, but all too often the edges of the policy, and its application to reality, remain a little rough.