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Behind every claim is a life interrupted and a family trying to regain balance. As both a mother and a lawyer, I don’t take that responsibility lightly, writes Nicole Forbes.
Mothers are often torn between two worlds – parent life and work life – and it can often feel difficult to balance the two. But what if we didn’t have to see it as a constant juggling act? I am firmly of the view that my experience as a mother has helped shape me as a person and, consequently, into a better lawyer.
Before I became a mother, I thought I understood what it meant to advocate for someone. I knew the law, I fought hard, and I cared for my clients. But motherhood has changed me in ways I never would have thought possible. Becoming a mother shifts your perspective. I am now deeply aware of how fragile routines are and how quickly and easily life can be disrupted. Motherhood has made me more compassionate. It has sharpened my empathy, patience, and protectiveness. I have a deeper understanding of vulnerability and loss of control. All qualities that directly translate to the work I do on a daily basis, advocating for my injured clients.
As a mother, patience is not optional, and as a personal injury lawyer, it’s invaluable. Personal injury claims can span over a number of years, and clients can be frustrated by the slow pace of the claims process. They are hurting, stressed, experiencing financial strain, and often eager for resolution. Motherhood has taught me to sit with discomfort, manage expectations honestly, and remain steady even when the process can be difficult and unfair.
Advocacy starts with listening without judgement. It means creating a safe space for my clients to tell their story honestly, without fear of being dismissed. When a client sits across from me, I don’t just see liability arguments and quantum assessments. I often see another parent who may be struggling to lift their child, attend school events, or maintain the patience they once had at the end of a long day. I see the fear of not being able to provide, the guilt of needing help, and the exhaustion that comes from healing while life refuses to pause.
Injury rarely affects just one person. It ripples outward, impacting spouses, children, and entire families. That reality feels particularly clear to me as a parent. Motherhood has made me more intentional about telling the full story of a client’s loss. I feel that giving a client the opportunity to tell their entire story is part of the healing process. It helps them to feel seen and heard. Compensation isn’t just about numbers on a page. It is about restoring, as much as possible, stability to families who didn’t ask for their lives to be disrupted.
When my children ask what I do for work, I don’t talk about the law or the settlements I have achieved for my clients. I tell them that I help people who are hurt and need someone on their side. That is what matters to me. Motherhood reminds me every day that my work isn’t just a profession; it’s a way to help people.
Behind every claim is a life interrupted and a family trying to regain balance. As both a mother and a lawyer, I don’t take that responsibility lightly.
Nicole Forbes is a senior associate at Travis Schultz & Partners.
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