Law Schools

Supporting New Mothers In Law School: A Call For Compassion

Small acts of empathy from classmates -- whether academic or emotional -- can be invaluable for new mothers in law school.

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Ed. note: This is the latest installment in a series of posts on motherhood in the legal profession, in partnership with our friends at MothersEsquire. Welcome MacKenzie OBrien to our pages. Click here if you’d like to donate to MothersEsquire.

As the demands of law school intensify, the challenges grow as well for new mothers balancing the responsibilities of academics and parenthood. While the traditional law school experience is strenuous enough, those navigating new motherhood and legal studies face hurdles that often go unrecognized by their classmates. The experiences of two law students who are also new mothers highlight how law school peers can provide moral and academic support, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate law school environment.

New mothers in law school frequently find themselves juggling multiple, often conflicting roles. Molly (not her real name), a current law student and mother to a 10-month-old boy, describes time management as her most pressing challenge. “I want to spend time with my son, especially since he is so young and grows so fast,” she shares. “But I also want to do well in school and put the time into my readings and other assignments.” Law school coursework often feels relentless, with no real “time off,” making it difficult for a new mom to find time for family without feeling like she’s sacrificing academic performance in the process. The emotional toll of this balancing act is compounded by guilt — guilt for not spending enough time with her child and guilt for not dedicating enough hours to her studies. She emphasizes the difficulty of navigating both worlds, feeling like there’s always something more she could be doing. She isn’t alone. Jacqueline (not her real name), a law student and mother to a 6-month-old girl, cites exhaustion and the constant effort to be an engaged, present parent while managing demanding coursework as her greatest challenge.

For both, it’s a daily struggle to keep up with the considerably high academic expectations while honoring their precious roles as mothers.

Support from classmates can be a lifeline for new mothers in law school. Small acts of empathy — whether academic or emotional — have been invaluable for Molly. She notes that even small gestures, like congratulatory remarks or reassurances that she’s doing great work as both a mom and a student, help to normalize her experience. In a setting where motherhood can be seen as an added “burden,” this recognition makes her feel validated rather than isolated.

Jacqueline, on the other hand, highlights the importance of more practical support. Her study group has gone above and beyond for her, not only offering academic resources, like shared notes, but also stepping in with childcare assistance, like reading with her daughter so she can catch up on assignments. This level of support allows her to maintain some balance, knowing that her peers see her as a valuable team member and not just a struggling mother juggling extra responsibilities.

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Both mothers have clear ideas for how law schools could better support new mothers. Flexible study groups, resource-sharing initiatives, and on-campus childcare options are at the top of their lists. Molly suggests that law schools could help create a culture of flexibility by encouraging professors to be more understanding of new parents’ needs, such as accommodating occasional tardiness due to childcare arrangements. Open communication and a willingness to adapt could make a huge difference in helping new mothers manage their dual responsibilities.

Additionally, establishing child-friendly spaces on the campus, as Jacqueline suggests, could provide mothers with a dedicated area to balance parenting and studying. An on-campus daycare, for example, could lessen much of the time and stress associated with coordinating childcare, allowing mothers to remain engaged in academic and extracurricular activities without sacrificing time with their children.

Encouraging student-led initiatives can also play an important role. Molly’s involvement in reviving her school’s chapter of PALS (Parents Attending Law School) demonstrates how peer-led groups can foster a sense of community. Organizations like MothersEsquire also strive to connect students with professional networks, offering guidance and mentorship to support new mothers throughout law school and into their legal careers.

Another critical aspect of supporting new mothers lies in reshaping the way success is perceived while in school. Law school often imposes strict standards, promoting a culture that prioritizes competition and intense dedication to studies. However, this structure can be particularly alienating for new mothers, who are forced to divide their focus. By building a supportive community that acknowledges and adapts to their unique circumstances, law schools can redefine success to include resilience, adaptability, and collaboration — a definition that seems to more closely reflect success outside of the world of academia. In essence, providing support to new mothers in law school benefits everyone by cultivating a culture of compassion and collaboration. Law students who reach out a helping hand today can help build a stronger, more inclusive profession for tomorrow.

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Mothers_Esquire_MacKenzie OBrienMacKenzie OBrien is a 3L at the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville and a first-generation law student. She hopes to score big in the world of sports law someday. When she’s not diving into contract clauses or IP law, you can find her cheering on the New York Yankees or spinning the latest addition to her vinyl record collection.

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