Elizabeth Brown
Adjunct Professor, Bentley University
"I'd been litigating at big international law firms since 1996 when I was graduated from Harvard Law School. I first worked in London, then in San Francisco for ten years before moving back to Boston to be closer to my family. When my daughter was born in August 2008, I was a partner at a major Boston intellectual property firm. I went on an extended maternity leave that turned into a permanent parting of ways because I couldn't reconcile my grueling work schedule with my own vision of the kind of mother I wanted to be. A few months later, I started doing a little pro bono work helping low-income women navigate family court, but I didn't find it very satisfying. I also considered development work and did a lot of networking and even some training there, but eventually decided that wasn't for me either.
Through the Bentley University More Opportunities for Moms program, I met someone who taught business law at Bentley, and she suggested I consider that as an option. I had been out of the law firm world for 1 1/2 years when I taught my first class at Bentley. Now that my daughter is a little older, I teach two law classes as an adjunct faculty member. I also advise businesses on discrete legal issues part-time and serve on the Boards of the ACLU of Massachusetts and the Federation of Massachusetts Farmers Markets. While I still do not feel firmly settled, as my adjunct contract is renewed semester to semester, I'm now able to try on the life of a college professor and appreciate its ups and downs before making a long-term commitment. My current mix of work is a much better fit for my personal strengths and interests than big firm partnership was, and I feel I am paving the way for more opportunities going forward."
Background: Law, Education and Training Industry
Pre-Break: Partner, Intellectual Property Firm
Relaunch Connection: Heard iRelaunch speakers at a non-iRelaunch event
Key Job Search Factor: Career Reentry Program