The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance’s Spotlight on Flex showcases professionals from member organizations who exemplify personal and professional success while working a flexible schedule. Their stories illustrate the long-term benefits that flexible schedules offer to both individuals and organizations.
PAST SPOTLIGHTS
If you are a professional working a flexible schedule and would like to share your story in an upcoming Spotlight on Flex, please contact Jane Caldeira.
Spotlight on Flex – Evynn Overton
The Spotlight on Flex showcases professionals from member organizations who exemplify personal and professional success while working a flexible schedule. Their stories illustrate the long-term benefits that flexible schedules offer to both individuals and organizations.
This month, we are pleased to share insights from Evynn Overton, Principal in the Baltimore office of Beveridge & Diamond PC.
Evynn Overton: I had my first child during my third year of law school, and I knew heading into the work world I needed and wanted a job with flexibility. I learned I was pregnant while I was a summer associate at Beveridge & Diamond (B&D). When I received my offer, I spoke with the firm and asked if flex options were available as an incoming first year associate. The firm said absolutely; they encouraged and supported my schedule from the very beginning. I started as a reduced hours, first year associate in the fall of 2004 at a 60 percent schedule and was in the office three days a week.
Spotlight on Flex – Marsha Rose Gillentine
The Spotlight on Flex showcases professionals from member organizations who exemplify personal and professional success while working a flexible schedule. Their stories illustrate the long-term benefits that flexible schedules offer to both individuals and organizations.
This month, we are pleased to share insights from Marsha Rose Gillentine, Director in the Washington, DC office of Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
Marsha Rose Gillentine: I’ve always believed in personal “check-ins” and reevaluating goals through different points in my career. One of the most important times I did a check-in was while I was completing my Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I asked myself where I wanted to be and how was I going to get there – being a bench chemist was not consistent with those answers. So two weeks after defending my dissertation, I started at the George Mason University School of Law and became a student associate at Sterne Kessler in May 2002. That fall, I switched to the evening program and continued as a student associate at the firm throughout the academic year. I couldn’t turn down the opportunity for the fantastic work experience and the chance to work with such awesome people.
Spotlight on Flex – Jami Mills Vibbert
The Spotlight on Flex showcases professionals from member organizations who exemplify personal and professional success while working a flexible schedule. Their stories illustrate the long-term benefits that flexible schedules offer to both individuals and organizations.
This month, we are pleased to share insights from Jami Mills Vibbert, Senior Associate in the New York office of Norton Rose Fulbright.
Jami Mills Vibbert: After clerking for a federal judge in New Orleans post law school, I started as an associate at the firm (which was then Fulbright & Jaworski LLP) in the New York City office. We lived in New York for two years, and then my husband, a doctor, received a job offer in Philadelphia. I wanted to stay with the firm, but there was no office in Philadelphia. I spoke with Linda Addison (now Managing Partner of Norton Rose Fulbright US), who was at the time the NY office Partner in Charge, and explained my situation. Without hesitation, she made it clear the firm didn’t want to lose me and would work with me to find a suitable arrangement.
That was six years ago. Ever since then, I commute daily from Philadelphia to New York. I’m still on a 100 percent, full time schedule, however, I’m physically in the office from 10 – 5, four days a week. Three hours of those four days are spent on the train, and I formally telecommute one day a week. While some of my colleagues may perceive that I work less hours, that’s not the reality. I just work differently and still bill the same hours as they do.