Hello, Inge. Can you introduce yourself briefly?
Inge: “I’m a Senior Associate at Monard Law and mother of three boys: Arthur (8), Alexander (6), and Hektor (1). In 2013, there was a vacancy in the Liability & Insurance Law team. The firm is highly reputed, so commuting from Tienen was something I could see happening.”
What exactly does your team do?
Inge: “Our team handles liability- and insurance-related matters. Our clients range from insurance companies to individuals, companies, and government authorities. I mainly handle matters relating to material or serious bodily harm or loss caused by contractual or non-contractual faults.”
Do you go to court often?
Inge: “Yes, and that’s what I enjoy doing. It gives a nice change of atmosphere, switching between office work and pleading in court.”
You’re a mother of three boys. How do you combine your role as a mother and that as Senior Associate?
Inge: “When my oldest son, Arthur, was born, it was really a discovery process for me. You want to continue working, but at the same time, you also want to be there for your family. That was hard, especially because at that time, I was one of the very few female lawyers with young children, so there were hardly any role models at the firm.
Throughout the years, Monard Law has been involving itself more and more in thinking along with its lawyers about how to combine their career with their family life. I now have a good routine, both at home and at work.”
“As a young parent, you have to find a balance between your own expectations and those of the firm.”
What made the balance so difficult in the beginning?
Inge: “Our work doesn’t really stop; there is always work to be done, and a high level of availability is expected of you as a lawyer. For example, before Arthur was born, I would usually get home just after 7pm. But when I became a mother, I had to leave the office around 4:15pm, so I could pick up Arthur by 5pm before the daycare center closed. You are the first one to leave the office and the last one to pick up your child. That made me feel as if I was failing on all fronts.”
How did you eventually find the balance?
Inge: “By determining what was really expected of me, on the one hand, and asking myself what is important for me, on the other. And also, by starting to have talks with the partner overseeing my work, Koen. At Monard Law, they’re always ready to listen and are open to thinking along with us. This transparent way of communicating helps greatly.”
What does Monard Law do to support young parents at the firm?
Inge: “Over the years, the firm has definitely made strides. The demand for support has also increased because more and more colleagues have young children. The firm grants us a great deal of flexibility in how we organize our work, and them understanding when we are less available because of the circumstances we are in. Pregnant employees’ rights and the rules on their working and time off have also been broadened.”
“The firm is evolving; you can tell from how they support young parents.”
Ever since the pandemic, everyone has been working more often from home. Has that helped you in achieving the balance?
Inge: “Absolutely. I work a lot from home. That saves me two hours of commuting per day. It helps me to keep the balance, but I also enjoy going to the office to have contact with my colleagues.”
And if one of your children is sick?
Inge: “As a self-employed professional, you’re not entitled to take a day of leave to care for your sick child. Luckily, I can count on my husband and grandparents. They stand in for me instantly when I can’t get anyone else to look after my children.”
Do you find it difficult to keep your work and private life separate if you work a lot from home?
Inge: “I do, sometimes. My work isn’t always precisely defined, which has both pros and cons. For me, I see it more as an advantage because there is a lot of flexibility. I try to finish on time in the evenings, but then I don’t mind catching up on some work later in the evening after the children have gone to bed. The fact that I can determine by myself how I allocate my own work and time gives me more peace of mind.”
“I didn’t want to come home every evening when my children have just gone to bed. Being able to set my own time when I work is a major advantage.”
Are there any other steps that Monard Law could still take to support young parents?
Inge: “There is always room for growth. For example, young mothers might often feel stuck in their careers in the sense that fulfilling the criteria to advance in their career does not always seem feasible if you’re trying to reach a balance between work-life and family-life. I therefore hope that Monard Law continues to engage in conversations with them so that the needs and expectations of everyone are aligned.”
Finally, do you have any advice for future parents in the legal profession?
Inge: “Don’t be afraid to embark on the journey of becoming a parent, even if you are ambitious. There are always possibilities to combine work and family. For me, being a lawyer and a mother at the same time is invaluable.”