Washington Lawyer - March 2019 - 29

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12 - 1 p.m. I try to grab something to eat around noon. Unless I'm going
out with a client, I normally go to our dining facility. If I need to get back
to some calls, I will just grab something. Sometimes, if I don't have a call
or video scheduled until a lot later in the afternoon, I will just stay in the
dining facility and have lunch with other colleagues.

1 - 6 p.m. It's much the same as the morning, with the exception of
visiting clients offsite in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. A lot
of times, I try to schedule those meetings in the mid-afternoon. I also
do a lot of [employment] culture counseling. Sometimes I do that at
a local client's facility. There generally isn't any white space on my
calendar during these hours because, again, I have meetings back
to back. If I'm driving to a client's facility, I can talk with clients or
colleagues on speaker phone. I've discovered that you can get a lot
done during travel times.

6:30 - 8 p.m. I go to SoulCycle - it's my favorite workout [spot]. Exercise is

different client matters in a day. So, that 45 minutes at SoulCycle is great.
Afterward, I drive home and/or run errands.

8 - 9 p.m. I get home after driving from around 14th and U Streets to upper
northwest Washington, D.C. The first thing I do is walk the dog. Then I play
with the dog. It's another way for me to clear my mind. Then I tend to cook
something light. I get so tired of eating at hotels and restaurants when I'm
on the road. I'm pretty good about keeping my refrigerator stocked with
fresh vegetables and fish or skinless chicken breasts.

9 - 11 p.m. I get back to working by reading a lot and responding to emails.
I don't go to bed until I have cleared out my email inbox. Depending on
what the next day entails - I may have to get prepared for a deposition or
client meeting and finalize a PowerPoint presentation - if it's not something that I have to do intensive preparation for, I will watch the news.

12 a.m. I'm usually in bed.

very important to me. I don't really think just in terms of physical health;
exercise is a way for me to just clear my mind. During the day, my mind just
gets so bogged down with various matters. It's rare that in a given day I can
focus on just one or two clients. Sometimes I'm juggling as many as 10

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of the estate and trust law section of the MSBA [Maryland State Bar
Association]. Take Mucinex.

12 p.m. Lunch! Also run to CVS and bank.
1:30 p.m. Client meeting; file notes. More emails. Assign drafting.
3 p.m. Repeat.
4 p.m. Review drafts prepared by associates. Receive Greg's text that he has
returned from Canada; he says that he will collect the kids. Order tickets for
the ballet.

6 p.m. Leave for cello lesson. While waiting in music school lobby, text Greg

Shoot video of daughter for her [Girl Scouts] digital cookie website; decide
one take is sufficient. Help daughter with her latest sewing problem (read: rip
out two seams, re-pin, fix her jammed machine). Help son construct LEGO
spider Aragog (read: do it myself while giving unsolicited advice regarding
dividing LEGO pieces by color before attempting assembly). Get kids to bed
- Greg handles pajamas and tooth-brushing; I handle cuddles and nighttime book reading. I practice the cello again for six minutes, stitch the two
seams that I pinned this morning, then wrap holiday gifts.

9:20 p.m. I eat dinner (Greg made chicken curry) while catching up with him
and my elder son, then watch TV. Tomorrow, I can sleep until 6 a.m. and
read before breakfast, because Greg's home.

and elder son, reply to texts from my dad, then scroll through social media.
Order quilt batting for daughter's latest sewing project and a 24-inch navy
zipper for the Dr. Strange costume.

7:30 p.m. I get home and listen to kids recount their day. They've already
eaten; so have the pets (so nice to have Greg back!). Seven-year-old daughter
announces her engagement to be married (swears me to secrecy) and can't
be persuaded to dress as Dr. Octopus for Awesome Con. Five-year-old son
says he cannot hear out of his right ear (he can; we've had him checked) but
is willing to go as Dr. Horrible. Both decline to practice their instruments.

Linda Delaney, a principal at Delaney McKinney L.L.P., starts
her day at 3:30 a.m. with yoga, gets to the office early to write,
and then tackles a long day in her family law practice. This
lifestyle works for her, but she encourages other women to
find their own way to success. Read her story at dcbar.org.

MARCH 2019

WASHINGTON LAWYER 29

http://www.dcbar.org http://www.dcbar.org/

Washington Lawyer - March 2019

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