Michelle Obama Puts the Spotlight on Work-life Balance for Lawyer-moms

On January 20, 2009, Michelle Obama will become the First Lady of the United States.  Arguably, she is going to be the most prominent example of a woman dealing with the challenges that working lawyer-moms face as they work to balance their professional careers with their roles as mothers.  Obama, an attorney with a successful career in private practice, city government, and corporate law, has recently spent a great deal of time working on the campaign of her husband, President-elect Barack Obama.  Oh, and Ms. Obama is also the mother of two young daughters.

How will Michelle Obama juggle her legal career, her new role as First Lady, and being a mom?  It's too early to answer that question, but this article in the Washington Post explains some of the pressures, difficulties, and internal conflicts she will face in her unique role.

Exactly how Ms. Obama will balance those pressures and competing interests remains to be seen, but her number one priority is very clear.

"My first job in all honesty is going to continue to be mom in chief," Obama told Ebony magazine, "making sure that in this transition, which will be even more of a transition for the girls . . . that they are settled and that they know they will continue to be the center of our universe."

"Mom in chief."  That's what Ms. Obama considers her most important job.  It certainly won't be easy for her, but Ms. Obama's work will be an example for working lawyer-moms, and all of us, who seek to balance the demands of a legal career with satisfying and happy family lives.  Best wishes to Michelle Obama for much success in all of her roles.

By Steve Imparl, guest blogger