When a woman leaves big law. . .

Every time a female partner leaves big law, I have such mixed emotions.

I get it. There are so many valid reasons to leave.

And yet: I wonder if it undermines my own dreams to stay, the efforts to get more women to stay, the need for more women at the top still.

I wonder if I’ll ever leave and how I’d know it was time. (Note: I came close to leaving once and hope to never see those thoughts or feelings again.)

I know to focus on my zone of influence, on my own small ability to show that there is a different way to do this job and last.

I know people (men and women) will always leave and that’s okay.

If you’re like me and you like it here, and you see change happening and you believe change is possible, and you dream of taking it all the way to retirement: you’re not alone (or crazy). There is a space for us.