"Just ask for it. All they can say is no, and a lot of times they'll say yes."
Hogan Lovells attorney April Wimberley began creating her own destiny at a young age, applying to college on her own initiative and being the first one in her family to get a college degree. She credits the encouragement of female friends and colleagues for her decision to take her education a step further and attend law school. After taking time away from the paid workforce to raise a family, April has successfully re-entered it, a feat that unfortunately eludes many. And throughout her career journey, April used her legal skills for good, fighting for the rights of prisoners who have no voice.
In this episode, we discuss re-entering the paid work force, her victories giving prisoners a voice, being the first member of her family to go to college, class differences vs. gender differences in the workplace, working part time, and more.
"I wish I had understood a little better, there is no right way, there's no great way... I've done full time at home, I've done full time work, I've done part time, and none of them is perfect. So just stop worrying about that and just kind of put together something that seems like it'll work for you and your family."
Advice:
Ask for part time work because the worst they can do is say no.
Be careful that your work load is adjusted along with your time and pay when going part time.
Volunteer your time to apprentice with people you admire.
There is no golden key to life or right way so don't worry about what other people are doing and focus on what will work for your family.
Let your work speak for itself.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Her proudest moments are the little victories in making a difference for prisoners.
- Much of the public is unaware of the bad treatment of prisoners.
- There are barriers created by congress to stop prisoners from filing lawsuits.
- April started her law degree four years after her undergraduate degree.
- April would not have done a post grad without the encouragement of her female friends.
- Her family started off very poor and so April feels a strong connection to her working class roots.
- At her firm. April feels the difference in class much more keenly than a difference in gender.
- April took 8 years out of the paid workforce when she had a family.
- She forged a good relationship with a law partner, which enabled her to come back to the firm.