Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 20

FEATURE
" There is a dynamic of feeling pulled in many directions at the same time, "
says Edmonds, and attorneys can struggle with feeling like they aren't
measuring up with their peers or to expectations of themselves as lawyers.
Having worked in-house, for the government, and at a law firm, Edmonds
says that the culture of law can be very demanding, with attorneys expected
to stay on top of competing client demands, the latest developments
in law, and the grind of practice, which commands long hours and the
constant pressure to tackle the next big task.
Enacting boundaries or saying no can often set off an internal struggle for
lawyers, leading to worry about whether or not that answer could backfire
on them, Edmonds says. She thinks it's a pervasive and challenging question
that calls for greater reflection in the legal community. " We should be
asking ourselves, 'Where's the room for humanity in what we do?' " says
Edmonds.
The pandemic has led to a meshing of work and home, allowing some
flexibility in establishing boundaries. Edmonds says attorneys shouldn't be
afraid to say no or offer alternatives to a request. " If you just say what you
need, I have found that clients can be very understanding, " she says.
It takes time and practice for attorneys to find their groove in tackling their
responsibilities, and there's always room to grow and improve. One tip that
Edmonds shares is to " eat the elephant one bite at a time, " and to devote
your full attention to whatever task you're working on. Progress over perfection
is key, she adds.
Edmonds recommends seeking help when you need it, whether it's asking
for assistance from colleagues at the firm or seeking support from family
or friends to help out with childcare in a pinch. Further, attorneys should
make good mental health a priority as well, Edmonds says.
" Don't compare yourself to others; you've got a career that is a journey of
your own, " she adds.
BLAIR HLINKA
Being an attorney is all about
making choices, says Blair
Hlinka, an associate at Caplin
& Drysdale, and attorneys
have to ask themselves the
right questions about where
to invest their time.
" We're all limited with the
time and resources that we
have in order to be the best
attorney that we can be in the
office but also have fulfilling
lives, " says Hlinka.
Hlinka joined the tax disputes
and litigation group at Caplin
& Drysdale in 2024 after four
years with the Tax Division at
the U.S. Department of Justice.
She is active in the legal
community, serving on the
board of the American Bar Association
(ABA) Women in Tax
Forum and previously holding
20 WASHINGTON LAWYER
* JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
As legal director at the tech-focused boutique law firm ZwillGen PLLC,
Alex Stout sees his work, which often concerns children's privacy, cross
into his home life as a parent of four.
" My personal life and my professional life sometimes collide in a way that
feels useful to my clients but is also helpful in thinking about how best to
raise my kids in the digital world, " says Stout. It's an interesting intersection
for Stout, whose practice involves cybersecurity, data breach responses,
and privacy matters.
leadership roles in the ABA Young Lawyers Division, where she produced a
legal podcast and served as editor of the division's publications.
Hlinka emphasizes that lawyers shouldn't chase the desire to do it all. Instead,
they should evaluate their circumstances and the elements they
hope to get out of their careers, looking at how much time they have and
assessing whether they can handle those tasks well, says Hlinka. Attorneys,
especially young lawyers, must take care not to overextend themselves.
Setting reasonable expectations with clients and bosses is crucial, she
adds.
It's important to remember that every choice comes with trade-offs, Hlinka
says. " Your choice may be to go to a bar association function in the evening,
but that means you might not get to eat dinner at home with your
family, " she says. No matter the decision, be confident about it, Hlinka
adds. " Just because you say yes to one opportunity now and no to the
other opportunity doesn't mean that you're completely closing the second
opportunity's door. "
For Hlinka, the best defense for navigating a busy week is planning, organizing,
and making sure things are on her calendar. Hlinka also takes moments
to embrace free time, such as grabbing tea and going for a walk
whenever she has a break at the office.
ALEX STOUT
Make
Smart
Choices
put life first
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025

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