Sunday, September 27, 2009
Baby Love: Nealon & Nicole :)
We babysat Nicole for Tom & Natasha the other night, and Nealon LOVED her! He gave her many huggs. Then, last night when we saw them again at a party in celebration of our friend Akaash being in town and Chris, Rob and friends passing the bar -- Nealon laid about six kisses on baby Nicole!! He is already a little ladies' man, I tell you.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Breaking Barriers
Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Oregon Women Lawyers Fall CLE, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Sarah Weddington, who argued Roe v. Wade at age 26 in the U.S. Supreme Court. The CLE also featured a panel of distinguished speakers including the Honorable Darleen Ortega, Holly Fujie, President of the California State Bar, Janis Harwell, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Intermec, Inc. and Kristine Olson, former federal prosecutor from 1974 to 1984.
It was one of those events that inspire and recharge. It was the 20th Anniversary of Oregon Women Lawyers, and I concluded the evening by getting myself a signed copy of the book I have been reading from the library-- With Grit and By Grace: Blazing Trails in Politics and Law by Justice Betty Roberts. Inside the book she wrote: "Rachael, With all good wishes for own life adventures. -Betty Roberts." After she had already started writing in the book, I realized I didn't have the cash or check, and they didn't take debit card -- so she agreed to let me mail her a check. So, I was able to get her address, and send her a nice note and my business card.
I have a new book on my to read list, A Question of Choice by Dr. Sarah Weddington. It is now a must-read. I loved Sarah. She talked about the importance of networking, "course correction," and flexibility. On time management, she said you can never get it all straightened out, but you can ask yourself, "What can I do this minute that is more important that anything else?"
She defined leadership as the "willingness and ability to leave your thumbprint," and described the time we live in as "subject to change without notice."
Holly Fujie encouraged young lawyers to never leave the practice to raise young children but to keep your foot in the door, and reduce your hours if necessary. She encouraged accepting being a practicing lawyer as part your identity, and that you can do a damn good job at both. Damn right, Holly!
Janis Harwell spoke about the "go" game and confidence. She emphasized attitude and encouraged all to get determined that people are not going to deny you what you are entitled to. She said this is a long game with multiple rounds and you have to stay prepared to play to the end. Her advice: control what you can, study the game, play for keeps, know your objectives, know where you are going. She reminded us that we need to put deep thought and planning into our careers because you cannot improvise because you must have your next move planned out in advance.
Another new book on my must-read list is Standing Tall by Kristine Olson. It's a biography about a strong, tall Native American woman. She spoke about speaking truth to power, and encouraged us to advocate for 50% women in government attorneys positions and law firms now that 50% of law students are women. She also reminded us to be as good advocates for ourselves as we are for others.
The Honorable Darleen Ortega gave us some tips for fitting in at the law firm and making the men comfortable around us: learn to swear, learn to talk yourself up and be confident. She also noted that we need to question the ways our institutions are run.
Pitfalls to avoid? Not asking for what you want. Isolation. Overwhelm. Internalization. What to do? Be clear about what you want and ask what has to be done in order for me to do this. Build relationships with people who will help you. Collect mentors.
Reality check: your skill set out of law school is short of what you will need to practice, and you have a small amount of time to close that gap if you want to succeed. Work hard, and expect it to be difficult.
Tips for negotiating positions in the firm: put yourself in a position of importance to the firm. Make it clear that you are committed, and work on getting clients.
So there's my synopsis of the speakers' messages. I am not the best at networking, but I did manage to give out one business card to a new lawyer at OHSU and strike up one other conversation with a judicial clerk.
I also had a dream last night that Betty Roberts called me. I wish that I had written down what she told me as soon I awoke. Hopefully, whatever it was will manifest in my subconscious.
It was one of those events that inspire and recharge. It was the 20th Anniversary of Oregon Women Lawyers, and I concluded the evening by getting myself a signed copy of the book I have been reading from the library-- With Grit and By Grace: Blazing Trails in Politics and Law by Justice Betty Roberts. Inside the book she wrote: "Rachael, With all good wishes for own life adventures. -Betty Roberts." After she had already started writing in the book, I realized I didn't have the cash or check, and they didn't take debit card -- so she agreed to let me mail her a check. So, I was able to get her address, and send her a nice note and my business card.
I have a new book on my to read list, A Question of Choice by Dr. Sarah Weddington. It is now a must-read. I loved Sarah. She talked about the importance of networking, "course correction," and flexibility. On time management, she said you can never get it all straightened out, but you can ask yourself, "What can I do this minute that is more important that anything else?"
She defined leadership as the "willingness and ability to leave your thumbprint," and described the time we live in as "subject to change without notice."
Holly Fujie encouraged young lawyers to never leave the practice to raise young children but to keep your foot in the door, and reduce your hours if necessary. She encouraged accepting being a practicing lawyer as part your identity, and that you can do a damn good job at both. Damn right, Holly!
Janis Harwell spoke about the "go" game and confidence. She emphasized attitude and encouraged all to get determined that people are not going to deny you what you are entitled to. She said this is a long game with multiple rounds and you have to stay prepared to play to the end. Her advice: control what you can, study the game, play for keeps, know your objectives, know where you are going. She reminded us that we need to put deep thought and planning into our careers because you cannot improvise because you must have your next move planned out in advance.
Another new book on my must-read list is Standing Tall by Kristine Olson. It's a biography about a strong, tall Native American woman. She spoke about speaking truth to power, and encouraged us to advocate for 50% women in government attorneys positions and law firms now that 50% of law students are women. She also reminded us to be as good advocates for ourselves as we are for others.
The Honorable Darleen Ortega gave us some tips for fitting in at the law firm and making the men comfortable around us: learn to swear, learn to talk yourself up and be confident. She also noted that we need to question the ways our institutions are run.
Pitfalls to avoid? Not asking for what you want. Isolation. Overwhelm. Internalization. What to do? Be clear about what you want and ask what has to be done in order for me to do this. Build relationships with people who will help you. Collect mentors.
Reality check: your skill set out of law school is short of what you will need to practice, and you have a small amount of time to close that gap if you want to succeed. Work hard, and expect it to be difficult.
Tips for negotiating positions in the firm: put yourself in a position of importance to the firm. Make it clear that you are committed, and work on getting clients.
So there's my synopsis of the speakers' messages. I am not the best at networking, but I did manage to give out one business card to a new lawyer at OHSU and strike up one other conversation with a judicial clerk.
I also had a dream last night that Betty Roberts called me. I wish that I had written down what she told me as soon I awoke. Hopefully, whatever it was will manifest in my subconscious.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Long time no blog
I know. It's been too long. I think what happened is that while my mom was here we were doing so many cool things and getting so many great photos that a new post always seemed as though it were going to take a long time to do. I know it really doesn't take that long, and I had plenty of opportunities. At some point, I just got out of practice and figured that I would take a hiatus for a while, as you can see. So, I will do my best to catch you up since July.
My mom came for a month in July and early August and was here for Nealon's first birthday. Just about a week before his big day, he began to walk, and he has been walking ever since. He is getting pretty quick.
Here are some of my favorite summer photos:
So there is a taste. A few are from our trip to the coast, and the others are from the Cracked Pot Festival - a recycled material art festival. It's a start and I will continue to make progress here.
Let's see, what else is new? I am working 28 hours per week now, down from 40 this summer. I just got a raise (oh yeah!), and work is going well.
Chris will find out the Bar exam results on the 25th.
I saw Justice Kennedy (for the second time) and Kathleen Sullivan, (former?) Dean of Stanford Law School and Constitutional Law scholar) speak on my campus the other day in honor of Constitution Day. That was incredible.
This semester I am taking Evidence, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Federal Income Tax. I like all my professors, and each class is enjoyable.
Life is good, generally. Chris is taking of Nealon full-time while doing some volunteer work for Water Watch, an enviro nonprofit, and looking for jobs.
I'll be better about this blog. Really.
My mom came for a month in July and early August and was here for Nealon's first birthday. Just about a week before his big day, he began to walk, and he has been walking ever since. He is getting pretty quick.
Here are some of my favorite summer photos:
So there is a taste. A few are from our trip to the coast, and the others are from the Cracked Pot Festival - a recycled material art festival. It's a start and I will continue to make progress here.
Let's see, what else is new? I am working 28 hours per week now, down from 40 this summer. I just got a raise (oh yeah!), and work is going well.
Chris will find out the Bar exam results on the 25th.
I saw Justice Kennedy (for the second time) and Kathleen Sullivan, (former?) Dean of Stanford Law School and Constitutional Law scholar) speak on my campus the other day in honor of Constitution Day. That was incredible.
This semester I am taking Evidence, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Federal Income Tax. I like all my professors, and each class is enjoyable.
Life is good, generally. Chris is taking of Nealon full-time while doing some volunteer work for Water Watch, an enviro nonprofit, and looking for jobs.
I'll be better about this blog. Really.
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