Balancing the Scales: Jennifer Zwagerman on Motherhood and Law

The Billable Mom with Cari Rincker, Episode 17

Welcome to The Billable Mom Podcast with attorney and mother Cari Rincker. In each episode, Cari will speak with other Billable Moms about working motherhood and the struggles to juggle it all. Our time is precious, both at work and at home. Cari and her guests will explore time management tips and productivity hacks. This is a community of Billable Moms, trying to calm the chaos six minutes at a time.

In this episode of The Billable Mom, Cari speaks with Jennifer Zwagerman, Associate Professor of Law at Drake University Law School & Director of Drake’s Agricultural Law Center. With a background in advocacy and policy, Jennifer shares her journey balancing a demanding career and motherhood, detailing her transitions through private practice and academia.

Tune in to the episode to learn from Cari and Jennifer. Here are this episode’s key takeaways:

  • Jennifer discusses the challenges and decisions that led her from private practice to academia, driven by her desire to start a family and manage a high-risk pregnancy.
  • Insights into navigating fertility issues, the importance of workplace support, and the personal struggles that come with trying to conceive and maintaining a professional life
  • Practical advice for mothers-in-law on managing work-life balance, the importance of finding personal coping mechanisms, and how to integrate family needs with demanding careers
  • Jennifer shares her experiences with maternity leave, breastfeeding challenges, and the logistics of balancing career demands while nurturing young children.
  • The episode also touches on broader topics such as the impact of childcare availability and costs on professional mothers and strategies for traveling with children

Learn more from and connect with Jennifer Zwagerman:


About “The Billable Mom Podcast”:

Welcome to The Billable Mom Podcast, led by attorney Carrie Rincker, where we discuss working motherhood, especially geared to professional mothers who are trying to juggle their time. Our time is precious, both at work and at home. We talk about time management, productivity hacks, and the struggles of being a working parent. We’re providing a community where other billable moms are also trying to calm the chaos six minutes at a time. Listen to stories of other working moms, but especially lawyer moms. Navigate the waters balancing career and the ever-present demands of motherhood.

More episodes of The Billable Mom Podcast:

Connect and learn more from your host, Cari Rincker:

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