2024 Recap
12.31.24 -- the last business day of the year -- the last business day of my first year as partner.
Parts of this year flew by. Parts of this year dragged. That's life.
Looking back, I'm most proud that I met my goal of enjoying my first year as partner. It was a very full year--I traveled more than I ever have and I took more naps than I ever have. I suspect those two things are connected.
Some highlights:
🌟 In January, I kicked off the year by joining a business development mastermind. For six months, I met every other week with three other big law, female litigators. It was transformative.
🌟 In February, I hosted the first of three groups of high school students at HB--showing them what a full-service, big firm offers.
🌟 March began with a trip to Houston and round one of partner training (HBU). Spending time with partners in years 1-4 of this journey brought me a lot of joy and deep learning.
🌟 April brought a couple concerts (and a solar eclipse), as well as HB's DEI retreat in LA--a true privilege to attend that.
🌟 I started May with my favorite pro bono services--Wills For Heroes, followed by a Top Chef dinner, two well-being panels, and my return to summer USTA tennis. Oh, and I launched my podcast--The Grace Period.
🌟 In June, I turned 38 and finished partner training. I also became a board member of the Milwaukee Bar Association, had several lunches with MKE women attorneys, and saw Kenny, ZBB, and Tyler Childers live.
🌟 In July, we celebrated my mom's 70th birthday.
🌟 August opened with speaking at the ABA Annual Meeting and Conference--and then I moved Up North for five weeks.
🌟 In September, work really began to pick up. It's been almost a blur since then, including celebrating the Milwaukee Parks Foundation, a client event where we made candles, another Brewers game, more Wills For Heroes, and attending WIPL for the first time.
🌟 October brought my Mental Health First Aid certification and hosting the first Milwaukee Legal Mentor Network event. Work continued to pick up--including several new matters and a full-day mediation in Kansas City.
🌟 In November, I hit my all-in 2400 hour target and got to go home to Atlanta for a week.
🌟 In December, I spent a lot of time reflecting on the year, had my first paid speaking engagement, and took a whole week off.
I'm grateful for the experiences--personal and professional. I've got a lot of momentum heading into 2025, and Quarter 1 should be a big one.
I . . . think . . . I'm ready.
🔥❤️✌🏻