Meet Melinda Hunsaker

(Provided by Desiree Nordstrom, a WIL Committee member.)

Where did you go to law school? I attended Western State University, College of Law in Fullerton, California from August 2003 – December 2005.

Why did you decide to go to law school? 

The study of law appealed to me since my teens, and I thought it would be a secure way to provide for a family if I ever needed to, but I was hesitant to commit to the extended years of schooling and debt.  My ultimate desire was to help people, and I initially explored other service oriented vocations, but it was my undergraduate legal courses that really engaged my mind and personality.  Fortunately, Heavenly Father opened doors and everything fell into place with perfect timing.

What did you do after law school?  My last semester of law school I took an Elder Law course, which was taught by an adjunct professor who had her own law practice and was a JRCLS member.  After I took the bar I discovered that the same professor had an open law clerk position, and I was a law clerk at her practice until I got my bar results, and was then hired by her as an attorney. 

What are you doing professionally now?

That same professor, turned employer, decided to retire and offered to sell her elder law practice to myself and another associate attorney in the office, which we bought in October 2011.  My partner and I both manage the business, but I have a part-time schedule, which I struggle constantly to keep part-time. 

What is your favorite part of your current position?  Although I love the area of law I practice in, and the co-workers and clients I work with, I have to say my favorite part of my current position is that I control my schedule and workload.  I can put my family’s needs first and still fulfill my professional roles in my own way and time.

Tell us about your family?  My husband, whom I married during law school, is a tax accountant, so I am currently a tax widow.  I have 3 boys, ages 5, 3, and 9 months, who create chaos, which is mostly happy, and always exhausting.  My oldest will start kindergarten next year and I am dreading the addition of a new variable to my scheduling.

What is your best advice for juggling work and family?

In juggling work and family, I have had to learn to recognize and accept my limits.  I had to be realistic about trying to work from home as my children got older – I was doing everything poorly and everyone was unhappy (“How did that five minute e-mail just take an hour?!”).  It was more efficient and less stressful to be gone just a little more each week to recapture quality family time at home; to accept that I was always going to be too tired to do more work after my children went to bed.  

I don’t like change and lack of consistency, but acknowledging that a schedule or plan of attack is just not working and trying something new is not defeat – it is progress.  One thing I regret not putting more effort into was developing a good network of friends and neighbors that I could establish reciprocal arrangements to help minimize the scheduling conflicts (pick up and drop off at preschool, exchanging babysitting for that hour meeting or doctor’s appointments, etc.).  I used to think of it as another burden, when it is really something I need to invest in.

Education, Girls & India---My Perspective

(Written by Jenny Wilson, a Women In Law Committee member.)

Recently my husband and I travelled to India to visit our 19 year old daughter who was working at a school in southern India among children and teens from leprosy colonies and poor villages. Our daughter had visited India as a volunteer with Rising Star Outreach in February of 2013, had fallen in love with the children she worked with and had decided to stay long term. 

Education for girls was on my mind as we journeyed to see her, both because she had decided that higher education was not for her, and because of the lofty goals that Rising Star Outreach's Peery Matriculation School has for its girls--especially in light of the evolving view of women in India.

Women in India have traditionally been considered citizens of low importance, with few rights and protections. Violence against women has been widespread and prevalent. Ultrasound technology is illegal in India for pregnant women because of the practice of gender selection through illegal abortion.

Law makers in India are responding to the increasing world awareness of the inequalities under which Indian women subsist--with legislation such as tighter sexual assault laws, new company law which mandates at least one woman serving on the board of listed companies,  and national observance of the International Day of the Girl Child. 

In northern India women seem to have broken free of some of the more restrictive traditions, but in the south the women still adhere to the old ways, such as arranged marriages for young teenagers, wearing the sari from the day they are married and being expected to perform hard physical labor. The girls attending the Peery Matriculation School hail from even more depressed circumstances; in the caste system they are at the bottom--untouchable because of the taint of leprosy in their families. Without intervention their fate is most likely a life of field work and repression.

The mission of Rising Star Outreach is to help those affected by leprosy, through medical care, micro lending (primarily to the women) and education. An educated young woman or man--especially if proficient in English and computer skills-- becomes employable, and can break the curse of the leprosy stigma. The girls, who because of their traditional status have even worse prospects than the boys, are given special attention in their schooling at the Peery School. 

Last year there were five girls who graduated from the 10th standard, and all did well enough on their state testing to matriculate to one of the very best Indian schools at the junior college level. It was a true triumph for the Peery School, and a fulfillment of the vision of Rising Star. My husband and I were buoyed by the efforts being made both at Rising Star and throughout India to raise women's situations and aspirations.

And my daughter who didn't want to continue with her education? Something seemed to click when she saw the great sacrifices the children and their families (not to mention Rising Star volunteers) make in order to make sure that the children are educated: she is now enrolled in college and working toward a degree in early childhood education. Her goal is to enhance education for girls and boys around the world.

Great Experience at Kansas City Conference

I just returned from the Annual JRCLS Conference that was held in Kansas City, Missouri. The Conference theme was "Obedience To Law Is Liberty". It was wonderful! It was well organized, addressed interesting topics  and was attended by some of the brightest, kindest and most interesting attorneys you will find anywhere.

Women in Law hosted a panel presentation. It was entitled "Maintaining Spirituality When Dealing With Contention". Two judges, one from India and one from Arizona, were on the panel as well as the general counsel for the Community of Christ Church (formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

The panelists were very open, sharing how their faith helps them handle difficult situations in their legal careers. The Indian Judge, Farah Shoukatali, said that because of her faith she would not accept bribes, although that is common practice in the Indian courts. The Arizona judge, Dan Barker, said he learned that you "control what you can control". Karen Minton, the general counsel, said that she prays everyday for guidance.

Women in Law also hosted a breakfast. We had a wonderful group attend: about 35-40 women and a couple of men. Each person shared a little bit about themselves and that once again showed, although we are different, with different challenges and gifts, we share so many things in common with one another.

Next year the Annual Conference is going to be held in Phoenix, Arizona. It will be held the second week of February. If you would like to contact some of the women who attended this year in order to help you decide if you'd like to attend next  year, please let me know (nanbarker@gmail.com). Start planning for next year. It will be time well spent.

Student Writing Competiton

Hi. I just received some information about a student writing competition, that is open to law students both in the United States and abroad. Below is the basic information. The deadline is April 1, 2014.

Public Land Law and Policy

Student Writing Competition

The American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (ABA-SEER) is pleased to announce the 2014 Student Writing Competition on Public Land Law and Policy, in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation’s Special Institute on Public Land Law, Regulation, and Management scheduled for May 8-9, 2014, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Awards:  The winning submissions will receive a $1,000, $500, and $250 cash prize for first, second and third place submissions, respectively.  Co-authors will share any prize awarded.  Students submitting the first, second and third place entries will be invited to attend the Public Land Special Institute, where their selection as winning entries will be announced.  ABA-SEER will judge the competition.  The Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation will provide complimentary registration at the institute for the three winning students.

Subject Matter:  Entries should demonstrate original thought on a question of legal and/or policy significance relating to the topic of the role of public lands and policy.  The topic is not confined to any particular type of public lands or issue.  Entries will be evaluated based on: (1) originality; (2) contribution to the understanding or development of the field of public lands law; (3) quality of scholarship; and (4) quality and organization of writing.

Eligibility:  Students currently enrolled in law school (in the U.S. or abroad) (J.D. or LL.M. programs) are eligible, including students who will graduate in the spring or summer of 2014. Any relevant article, comment, case note, or essay may be submitted, including writing submitted for academic credit. Jointly authored pieces are eligible only if all authors are students and consent to submit.  Previously published pieces, or pieces that are already slated for publication, are ineligible.

Deadline:  Entries must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. MT on April 1, 2014.  Email entries and questions to Deanna Crowe at dcrowe@rmmlf.org.

If you would like more information about this competition or others, go to http://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_students/events_competitions/wec.html.

Women's Law Conference In New York

I just received information about a law conference that will "discuss challenges unique to women  both in law school and throughout their careers". It is not sponsored by or associated in any way  with the JRCLS. I just thought it might be of interest to those in the New York area. REGISTER TODAY When Monday, March 17, 2014, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The event will be followed by a wine and cheese reception sponsored by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP Where New York Law School Events Center 185 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013 Register Today Registration is available here  ($15; $10 for NYLS alumni; no charge for law and undergraduate students with valid ID, NYLS faculty and staff) Registration includes reception About The Symposium The panelists at "Women in the Legal Profession" will discuss challenges unique to women both  in law school and throughout their careers. Representing a variety of legal practice areas, our speakers will discuss professional networking, the cultivation of mentor and sponsor relationships, and methods of career advancement and transition. Speakers Tamara Belinfanti, New York Law School; Marilyn Flood, New York County Lawyers Association;Rhonda Joy McLean, Deputy General Counsel, Time, Inc.; Andrea Weiss, Levi, Lubarsky & Feigenbaum, LLP. Additional speakers to be announced. For full program information and speaker bios, visit our website. Questions? The full program and speaker information is available at www.nylslawreview.com/WomenInTheProfession

I Support Your Path

(Written by Desiree Nordstrom.)

The arrival of my daughter just under four years ago, began a process of transition in my life.  Up to that point, my focus primarily was on my husband and my career.  Although I knew I wanted be a mother someday, I figured until that happened, I would continue to better myself through building my career.  

When motherhood came, so did the "baptism by fire" that many new mothers experience.  I was not fully prepared for what it would mean, and I have to wonder if any first time mother ever is, especially if she is a working mom. There is just so much in life that we cannot know until we experience it. I find myself giving unsolicited advice to a new mom-to-be regaling her with my list of "what I wish I would have known," but in the end, she truly will not understand until she becomes a mother. 

Life is full of transitions.  At such times we may yearn to get back to "normal," but that never happens, so we move into a new "normal" letting the old slip away into fond memories.  

Much like the transition from non-mother to mother, I experienced another transition in my professional life.  It all occurred in the same time period as the birth of my little one.  I was a professional, then suddenly I was a professional who also was a mother, and now nearly four years later, I am a mother with a profession. 

My transition took me from being an attorney working more than full-time hours that required me to leave home before my baby was awake and return home after dark, to a stay-at-home mom with a profession, taking on contractual work that I could do at home.  Before becoming a freelance attorney, guilt became my constant companion.  I lived with guilt for not being at home with my baby, and when I did come home, I felt guilty that I was not using my education to its potential.  It was as if my mind was rarely in the same place as my body causing me to focus on what was NOT happening, instead of living in the moment, the precious NOW which is all we really have.

In the years that have passed, I have owned my story and my path. At first I was timid in introducing myself as a stay-at-home mom to those in the legal community, but now, I am proud of my path and find that it is supported and well received by many in the legal world. I have also met many who are walking the same path. 

There are so many paths available to women with a legal education. Let us all be proud of our path and support one another in our respective journey to find a fit for our lives. 

"Returnship" Opportunity

I just heard about a wonderful program that is designed to help women attorneys who have taken time off from the practice to more easily return. It is called On Ramp Fellowship.

Below is their description of the issue women lawyers face when trying to return to the practice:

The legal profession has a leaky pipeline.  Plenty of high-performing lawyers enter the legal profession. But many of these lawyers – women in particular – leave within a few years. In Am Law 200 firms, for instance, there is typically a 50/50 gender split at the entry-level, but only 16% of partners are women.

Why? Many leave to raise children or manage other family obligations. Others just aren’t a good fit for the area of law they chose early in their career.

Once these women lawyers exit the profession, it’s not easy to get back in.  Since law firms usually hire and advance lawyers based on tenure, it’s difficult for a returning lawyer and her potential employer to know where she fits into the traditional structure upon re-entry.  And, in most law firms, it is virtually impossible for an experienced lawyer to re-engineer her practice because of the rigid billable rate structure that is typically tied to years of experience. This structure forces skilled lawyers who are not a fit for their current practice area to change jobs or exit the profession for other opportunities.

Because of these re-entry and retooling challenges, there is an untapped pool of experienced high-performers who have a strong desire to return to and advance in the profession.  A 2010 study by the Center for Work-Life Policy found that 73 percent of women trying to return to the workforce after a voluntary timeout for childcare or other reasons have difficulty finding a job.

In a market that remains tremendously competitive for top talent, law firm leaders cannot afford to overlook this unique collection of highly-talented, diverse lawyers.  So, how do law firms identify and recapture this incredibly valuable asset?

This is their solution:

The Fellowship is a re-entry platform that matches experienced lawyers returning to the profession with law firms for a one-year, paid training contract. 

To learn more about the program or to apply, please go their website at: http://onrampfellowship.com/. The application deadline is March 7, 2014.

Good luck!