This time last year my wife was roughly 39 weeks pregnant, and I thought that I was about to step into an entirely new world – something completely different from my life as an attorney. However, as I reflect on my almost first year of parenting and with my first Father’s Day right around the corner, I can’t help but see that fatherhood and lawyering have way more in common than I could have ever imagined.

I’ll never forget walking into work on my first day as an attorney—confident, prepared, and ready to take on the world—only to quickly realize how little I actually knew about practicing law. It turns out the old saying holds true: no one knows more about the law than a law school on their first day of the bar exam, and no one feels more clueless than a new attorney on their first day of practicing. I’ve found that the same idea applies to becoming a parent. Before our daughter was born, I read every book I could get my hands on and had countless conversations with family and friends who had kids, all in an effort to be as prepared as possible. But the truth is, nothing can truly prepare you for the moment you become a dad.  

This became crystal clear two days before my wife’s scheduled c-section, when a “just in case” checkup turned into delivery day. After sitting in a triage room for several hours, the doctor strolled in with a grin and said, “Who wants to have a baby today?” My reaction? Pure panic: “Wait … today?!” It was like I had just learned that my wife was pregnant and having the baby all at the same time. Whatever confidence I had from all of my reading and conversations immediately flew out the window. 

So, if you’re a fellow legal professional about to dive into diaper duty, or are already in the throes of diaper duty, let me walk you through some real parallels between the courtroom and the playroom.

1. The Right Partnership is Everything

In law, who you work with matters just as much as the work itself. Choosing a firm that values your growth – not just your billables – can make all the difference. The right mentors help shape you into a confident, capable attorney by investing time, guidance, and trust. I’ve been fortunate to work at firms like Golan Christie Taglia and Esbrook P.C., where mentorship isn’t just talked about – it is built into the culture. 

The same principle applies at home. I’d argue that choosing the right person to parent with is the most important partnership you’ll ever have – and boy did I hit the jackpot with my wife who could teach a master class on communicating and letting the little things go. Raising a child is full of joyful highs and exhausting lows, and having someone by your side who can share the weight, celebrate the wins, and be your anchor during the hard moments make everything more manageable. On the days when you feel like you’re failing, a good partner reminds you that you’re not doing it alone – and that you’re doing better than you think.

2. Time Management Matters

Lawyers tend to live in 6-minute increments. Every part of your day must be accounted for – calls, meetings, research, drafting pleadings/motion, responding to emails, grabbing a bite to eat, etc. If you do not manage your time well, deadlines slip, clients get frustrated, and your work and reputation suffer. 

As a parent, time management takes on a whole new meaning. It’s not about how much time you have – it’s about what you can do with the little scraps of “free time” that your baby generously gives you. Babies thrive on routine – feeding, naps, playtime – but that routine is constantly evolving. Nap time becomes your golden hour when you can actually get something – anything – done. You might tackle emails, clean the kitchen, prep bottles, shower, or pay the bills. Or, let’s be honest, you might just sit in complete silence, scrolling aimlessly on your phone. And honestly? That’s a win.

3. Communication is Key

In law, clear and timely communication is everything. Clients expect responsiveness – they want to know you’re on top of their case, that you’re thinking ahead, and that you haven’t disappeared into work for other clients. Likewise, partners plan their days around the assumption that you’ll meet deadlines and flag issues early. In my experience, most partners are happy to grant extensions – if they are asked in time. But radio silence? That is where the trust starts to break down. So whether it is to manage expectations or simply to keep people in the loop, it is imperative for an attorney to be an excellent communicator.

Communication is equally as important in parenting – only the subject of the communication is smaller, less predictable, and cuter. My wife and I are constantly exchanging intel: When did she nap? Did she finish her bottle? When was the last time she had a diaper change? These aren’t just updates – they’re clues. They help you solve the mystery of a fussy baby before it becomes a full-blown meltdown. The more you communicate, the more in sync you are, and the better you can anticipate and respond as a team. 

4. Leaning on Your Network Shows Strength

Lawyers are professional problem solvers. Accordingly, it is easy for an attorney to be hesitant to ask for help. But the truth is, no one practices alone. All attorneys need mentors to bounce ideas off, peers to sanity-check your arguments, and colleagues to cover when life happens. The lawyers that I respect the most are the ones who are not afraid to ask for help or admit when they do not know something.

As a dad, the exact same rule applies. Growing up, I thought my parents had life all figured out and knew exactly what to do in every situation. Now that I am a parent myself, I know that they were just really good ducks: calm and composed on the surface, but paddling like crazy underneath just to stay afloat. So whether it is asking your pediatrician another question, leaning on your partner during a sleepless night, or calling a fellow parent just to ask, “is this normal” – you quickly realize that parenting is a team sport. It doesn’t make you less of a dad to ask for help; it makes you human – and almost certainly a better parent.

5. Adaptability Is Not An Option – It’s a Requirement

As a lawyer, flexibility is the difference between surviving and thriving. One moment you’re deep in a motion, the next you’re pulled into a client emergency. Plans change. Deadlines shift. Cases evolve. The ability to adapt – without panicking– is one of the most underrated skills in the profession.

As a dad, your baby will force you to adapt. You may have spent weeks preparing for a fun family getaway or a night out with your partner only to be hit with teething, a fever, a nap strike, or a mysterious rash. You may finally find the bedtime routine only for it to stop working the next week. Parenting teaches you to pivot and to roll with the punches. You learn to let go of perfection and embrace the beautiful chaos. You make peace with the fact that flexibility isn’t a failure of planning – it is a necessary part of parenting.