YOUNG L AWYERS

Come One, Come All: The Plate Balancing Act of the Young Lawyer

Amanda G. Schreiber is the By Amanda G. Schreiber chair of the Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers Section for the 2019-2020 bar year. She is associate senior counsel at ometimes a young lawyer’s life Cigna Health and Life Insurance feels a little like keeping 100 spin- Company in Bloomfield, where ning plates in the air. S she handles healthcare litigation specializing in ERISA and MHPAEA. I recently went to a circus themed show She graduated with honors from in Hartford. As always, it proved to be an Quinnipiac University School of incredible visual spectacle. But one per- Law in 2011. former in particular caught my attention: the plate spinner. This man somewhat miraculously managed to spin plates on top of individual sticks. He effortlessly served as a speaker in CLEs. I have served First, I hope these articles will support our flipped them into the air all while adding my legal and greater community by par- newest members. Young lawyers often more and more plates. ticipating in Habitat for Humanity, food feel isolated in their struggles. But they are drives, and clothing collections for chari- not the only ones digging themselves out I was jealous. The plate spinner seemed to ty. I have met and connected with senior of crushing student loan debt or sneaking know his routine. He had obviously had bar members who have turned into tre- out of the office to attend a kindergarten time to practice and was probably using mendous mentors, guiding me through play. Sharing experience and practical inexpensive plates he could break un- my career. Most importantly, I have made advice with colleagues is supportive and til he perfected his craft. Then there was connections and friends that will support lends to a healthier overall bar. the timing aspect. The careful balancing me in the years to come. I have found the where everything needs to happen at a other members of the Young Lawyers Sec- Second, I hope to assist the bar as a whole certain time. tion to be some of the most dedicated, to better understand the perspective this hardworking individuals I know, and I generation brings to the table. I have Metaphorically, the world of being a am thrilled to be their leader this year. found that some aspects of a young law- young lawyer is a gigantic plate spinning yer’s life are misunderstood by senior act. But unlike the circus plate spinner, I have found, however, that amongst this colleagues. In some instances, memo- if I dropped a plate, my client’s financial group my plate balancing concerns are not ries are fleeting. They recall caring for a well-being or physical safety could be at unique. Every day I talk to young lawyers young child, but the last 18 years have risk. If I didn’t maintain poise, I couldn’t who are juggling their job, house, mar- made sleepless nights a distant memo- answer work e-mails while attending riage, finances, kids, health, and well-be- ry. In other instances, the world around swimming lessons with my daughter. If ing. So many spiraling, spinning plates us has drastically changed. With the rise I didn’t add a plate, I wouldn’t get that that they must balance at once, with so of seamless technology, young lawyers promotion. much resting on each one. can never truly distance themselves from their professional roles in the way letter Despite my many spinning plates, I am They all want to know the answer to the writing and rotary phones allowed. The honored to serve as chair of the Young same question: “How do you balance purpose is not to highlight the disparities, Lawyers Section for the 2019-2020 bar it all?” but to find common ground in perceived year. Over the last six years, the section differences. has afforded me countless opportunities For that reason, I have decided to dedicate that I could not have otherwise achieved. my column this year to exploring the jug- And who knows, maybe we’ll figure out During my tenure, I have moderated and gling act of the present-day young lawyer. how to balance it all—together. n

38 CT Lawyer | ctbar.org September | October 2019