3 Murders. 3 Attempted Murders. 20 for Jury Trial. 50 Pg. Criminal Court Docket. 2 Kids in Soccer. 1 Kid in Baseball. A Civil Law Firm to Operate. All in the Month of April. If I can do it - you can!

Hampton Law Firm ⚖️
May 4
5 min read

Balancing a demanding career as one of only three felony public defenders in Lincoln Parish, as a side job, on top of my actual job and with the chaos of parenting four young children, ages 3, 6, 9 and 11, might sound like a recipe for disaster. This month alone, I face a 50-page regular criminal court docket, plus 20 jury trials, including serious charges like second degree murder and attempted second degree murder. On top of that, I have my responsibilities at Hampton Law Firm and a lively household with 2 kids starting soccer and 1 kid starting baseball in different towns. Somehow, I manage to keep it all moving forward. Here’s how I juggle it all, sometimes with grace, sometimes with a face-plant, and how you can take lessons from my experience to handle your own life’s circus.

The Reality of a Heavy Court Docket

Imagine walking into court with a docket that stretches 50 pages long, each line representing a person’s freedom and future and quite honestly, their distain for the entire judicial system. That distain sometime always gets pointed in my direction - even before i've actually met the client. (If you can imagine that) Now add 20 jury trials, six of which involve the most serious charges imaginable, and legally possible. This is my reality this month. The stakes are high, and the pressure is relentless. Every case demands my full attention, preparation, and presence.

This also includes the work that nobody sees. The time spent at my desk, on my couch at midnight, at the detention center, on the phone with clients and their family members and returning calls and emails to clients and family members.

Yet, this is only part of the story. I also have a full-time role (or roles really, as a small business owner - i'm sure you are aware that many small business owners also have to serve as various other office roles - SAME HERE) at Hampton Law Firm, where my work continues beyond the courtroom. The legal work never stops, and neither do the deadlines. With one full time legal secretary, one full time title abstractor and one full time lawyer - managing the case load is a hard road, but one we try our very best to do well.

Parenting Four Kids with Sports and School Activities

At home, the chaos continues. Four children aged 3, 6, 9, and 11 keep me on my toes. Two of them have just started soccer in Ruston, Louisiana, while another has begun baseball in Calhoun, Louisiana. Coordinating practices, games, schoolwork, and family time feels like managing a small sports league.

The challenge is real: how do I give my kids the attention they deserve while meeting the demands of my career? The answer is simple but not easy: prioritization and acceptance.

This week, my husband and I both exchanged texts this morning realizing that due to the schedule this week, we really wouldn't see each other until Friday night for much substantive time, to which he sweetly replied "that just won't work." But sometimes it has to work, but we just don't have any other options.

Next week is my long criminal court docket in Ruston, 50 pages as it stands right now, and the week following will be beginning preparations for our end of April jury trial week, followed by the actual jury trial week. Bring it on, April! I may end the month crying in a straight jacket with my family waving through the window, but I will survive it.

Prioritizing What You Can Control

Some days, I feel like a superhero. Other days, I fainted in open court in front of 200 people, waking up to Judge Thomas Rogers standing over me. That moment was a colossal disaster, but it taught me a vital lesson: focus on what you can control and let go of the rest.

Here’s how I apply this in daily life:

Plan what’s possible: I organize my day around court schedules, client meetings, and family activities.
Accept unpredictability: Some things, like a child’s sudden illness or a surprise court delay, are beyond control. I cross my fingers and hope for the best.
Delegate when possible: My husband, family, and colleagues help share the load.
Rest when I can: Even short breaks help recharge my energy.
Workout: My mind only stays sharp when i have a consistent workout routine. I know that sounds very "soccer mom - high maintenance" but it's true. Well both are true, I am a high maintenance soccer mom but i also truly do have to consistently workout to keep my mind sharp and focused.

This approach doesn’t guarantee perfection, but it keeps me moving forward.

Finding Humor in the Madness

Life’s circus can be overwhelming, but humor is my secret weapon. When I’m juggling murder trials and soccer practices, sometimes all I can do is laugh at the absurdity. For example, trying to review case files while simultaneously cheering for a 6-year-old’s soccer drill is a balancing act worthy of a circus performer, add a three-year-old on my hip and my iPhone in hand trying to return emails as well. Sometimes I am a brilliant multi-tasker, sometimes I am an absolute clown, you never know!

Laughing at the chaos helps me stay sane and reminds me that it’s okay not to be perfect every day.

Lessons for Anyone Facing Life’s Challenges

Whether you’re sick, heartbroken, exhausted, or depressed, you can still do what you decide to do. Here’s what I want you to take away from my story:

Set clear priorities: Focus on what matters most to you right now.
Accept imperfection: Some days will be disasters, and that’s okay.
Ask for help: You don’t have to do it all alone.
Keep your goals in sight: For me, that means making sure my kids, husband, and clients have what they need.
Use humor to cope: A smile can be a powerful tool against stress. LAUGH. LAUGH.AT.EVERYTHING.

When You Rock It and When You Don’t

Some days, I rock it. My clients leave court happy, my family feels supported, and I go to bed knowing I did my best. Other days, I fail completely, my clients are mad, my family feels neglected and I end up crying on the bathroom floor, just like a Carrie Underwood song. The key is to keep showing up, learning, and trying again.

If you’re juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, remember that success isn’t about never failing. It’s about resilience and commitment to what matters most.