OPINION By Barbara De Dios Oct 31, 2025 / Share

Parental leave isn’t a vacation. Returning to work after a physically and emotionally draining period is a major challenge – one that is still, surprisingly, misunderstood and often overlooked in the legal profession. For many lawyers, the transition back to work after parental leave is not just a logistical hurdle, but a deeply personal and professional crossroads. How can we, as legal organizations, do better?

Every year, our calendars fill with meetings about values and organizational culture. We pore over handbooks and employee engagement surveys, seeking ways to enhance satisfaction and retention. But amid all this, there’s a group we too often overlook: lawyers returning from parental leave.

Loyalty is a two-way street. There’s

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