Ed.
note:
This
is
the
latest
installment
in
a
series
of
posts
on
motherhood
in
the
legal
profession,
in
partnership
with
our
friends
at MothersEsquire.
Welcome
Randi
Johnson
to
our
pages.
Click
here
if
you’d
like
to
donate
to
MothersEsquire.
Navigating
a
typical
day
often
feels
like
riding
a
double
century
in
a
single
day
(200
miles
on
a
bike)!
As
a
chief
engagement
officer,
principal,
managing
and
practicing
attorney
with
Gravis
Law,
the
demands
of
my
professional
life
are
unyielding.
They
don’t
pause
when
I
step
through
my
front
door.
Home
is
another
lively
scene,
with
two
energetic
young
girls
who
depend
on
me
to
be
their
personal
Uber,
shuttling
them
between
sports
practices
and
Girl
Scout
meetings.
On
top
of
this,
there’s
the
looming
prospect
of
caring
for
my
aging
parents,
who
are
just
beginning
to
show
signs
that
they’ll
soon
need
more
support.
Morning
Rush
And
Legal
Lunches
Mornings
are
meticulously
choreographed,
starting
with
the
breakfast
chaos
and
school
drop
offs,
then
shifting
to
a
day
packed
with
constant
meetings,
court
appearances,
and
inbox
overflowing
with
new
emails.
Lunches
are
often
brief
and
functional,
used
to
catch
up
on
emails
or
prepare
for
afternoon
sessions.
This
juggling
act
isn’t
just
about
keeping
up
with
the
workload;
it’s
about
staying
mentally
agile
and
ready
to
switch
gears
between
my
professional
responsibilities
and
parental
responsibilities.
Afternoons
Of
Advocacy
And
Activities
I
can
feel
the
role
shift
as
the
school
day
ends.
My
afternoons
transform
into
a
balancing
act
of
attending
to
parental
duties
alongside
professional
obligations.
During
these
times,
whether
I’m
cheering
from
the
bleachers
of
a
swim
meet
or
quietly
observing
a
gymnastics
practice,
I
ponder
the
overlap
in
skills
required
for
parenting
and
practicing
law.
Both
roles
demand
emotional
intelligence
to
navigate
complex
situations,
adaptability
to
respond
to
unexpected
challenges,
and
the
ability
to
balance
competing
priorities
while
maintaining
a
clear
sense
of
purpose.
These
moments
are
also
critical
for
mentally
regrouping
and
preparing
for
the
evening
routine.
Evolving
Family
Needs
The
demands
of
these
roles
are
just
the
beginning;
I
know
significant
changes
are
on
the
horizon.
My
parents
pride
themselves
on
their
independence,
yet
the
realization
that
I
will
soon
need
to
add
caregiving
to
my
already
packed
schedule
is
stark.
As
I
reflect
on
this
shift,
I
think
about
how
to
integrate
caregiving
in
a
way
that
honors
their
autonomy
while
ensuring
they
receive
the
support
they
need.
This
puts
me
squarely
in
the
middle
of
the
“sandwich
generation.”
Strategic
Planning
For
Elder
Care
To
manage
this
impending
shift,
I’ve
begun
proactive
discussions
with
my
parents
about
their
future
needs,
covering
everything
from
living
arrangements
to
health
care
and
important
legal
matters
such
as
establishing
powers
of
attorney.
While
these
conversations
are
tough,
they
are
crucial
for
avoiding
future
emergencies.
This
approach
not
only
helps
me
manage
my
anxiety
about
future
changes
but
also
gives
me
a
structured
plan
to
adapt
to
their
needs.
Delegation
And
Time
Management
A
key
strategy
in
getting
things
done
with
my
sanity
intact
is
to
delegate
more
at
work
and
home.
My
legal
and
operations
teams
are
empowered
to
take
responsible
action
toward
our
goals
and
objectives.
At
home,
the
family
divides
chores,
and
I
hired
a
nanny
in
the
afternoons
four
days
a
week
to
assist
with
sports,
homework,
and
making
healthy
snacks.
These
changes
make
our
home
more
cooperative
and
supportive.
I
was
able
to
find
some
time
for
myself
to
exercise,
engage
in
hobbies,
visit
friends,
or
just
sit
quietly.
Support
Networks
Matter
I
couldn’t
manage
this
alone.
Building
a
support
network
is
essential.
Connecting
with
colleagues
who
understand
the
pressures
of
legal
work
and
other
parents
navigating
similar
life
stages
provides
a
necessary
support
system.
These
connections
offer
practical
advice
and
emotional
comfort.
Navigating
Challenges
With
Resilience
Each
day
is
filled
with
opportunities
for
personal
development.
The
resilience
I
build
through
managing
these
complex
life
layers
—
professional,
parental,
and
soon
caregiver
—
prepares
me
to
tackle
difficulties
and
to
excel
amidst
them.
It’s
about
harnessing
these
challenges,
finding
opportunities
to
thrive,
and
ensuring
each
family
member
and
I
feel
supported
and
valued.
Reflections
And
Future
Outlook
Looking
ahead,
these
skills
become
even
more
crucial.
The
coming
transitions
require
adaptability,
clear
communication,
and
firm
boundaries
to
protect
my
well-being.
Despite
the
demanding
nature
of
this
journey,
it
is
replete
with
enriching
moments
that
bring
our
family
closer
together,
underscoring
the
value
of
every
minute
spent
with
loved
ones.
Advice
For
Others
In
The
Sandwich
Generation
For
those
navigating
similar
paths,
remember
that
proactive
planning,
building
support
networks,
and
being
willing
to
adapt
are
essential.
Create
systems
at
home
and
work
to
stay
organized
and
to
allow
yourself
grace.
Embrace
available
support
systems,
keep
communication
with
your
family
open,
and
recognize
your
capacity
to
manage
these
multifaceted
roles
effectively.
Through
a
blend
of
professional
rigor
and
personal
commitment,
the
journey
through
parenting,
lawyering,
and
caregiving
becomes
manageable
and
profoundly
meaningful,
filled
with
lessons
about
endurance,
compassion,
and
the
lasting
strength
of
family
bonds.
Randi
Johnson
is
a
confident
and
accomplished
professional,
committed
to
public
service,
community
engagement,
and
defending
joy
in
all
places.
Randi’s
entry
into
the
legal
industry
was
driven
by
her
desire
to
contribute
and
help
others.
She
guides
her
clients
by
presenting
legal
options,
empowering
them
to
make
informed
decisions.
After
successfully
building
her
own
law
firm,
Randi’s
passion
for
the
business
side
of
legal
services
led
her
to
Gravis
Law,
where
she
now
serves
as
the
Chief
Engagement
Officer,
assisting
talented
attorneys
in
building
their
practices
and
leading
marketing
and
communications.
Randi
is
a
dedicated
servant
leader
who
actively
serves
on
the
Board
of
Directors
for
the
WA
State
Developmental
Disabilities
Endowment
Trust
Fund
(a
governmental
appointment)
and
MothersEsquire.
She
has
previously
served
on
the
boards
of
the
National
Association
of
Women
Business
Owners
–
NW
Chapter
and
the
Girl
Scouts
of
Eastern
Washington
and
Northern
Idaho,
where
she
was
also
an
Executive
Committee
Member.
Randi
is
a
proud
Girl
Scout
Troop
Leader,
a
founding
member
and
Active
Chair
of
ConnectHER
Idaho,
and
the
Co-Founder
of
the
Spokane/CDA
Area
Ladies
Networking
Group
(LadyBoss),
where
she
continues
to
inspire
and
empower
women
in
their
professional
journeys.