I made a decision that I was going to prioritize my career and forgive myself the inevitable missed ballet recitals, school meetings and soccer games. But I also carve out time with my kids where I really invest my time in them and don’t multitask.

Why is it important that law firms increase the number of women partners and women leaders?

This is not just a women’s issue. It’s a diversity issue. There have been countless studies that show when you have more diverse people in positions of leadership within an organization, that organization does better. Also, many of our clients have strong diversity goals and are demanding that their firms do as well.

What solutions help you deal with the challenges of balancing career and family?

At the outset of this extraordinary journey, I made a decision that I was going to prioritize my career and forgive myself the inevitable missed ballet recitals, school meetings and soccer games. But I also carve out time with my kids where I put my phone away, really invest my time in them and don’t multitask.  Balance is sometimes a stretch, though—there are plenty of mornings that start with me on a conference call while scrambling eggs with one hand and gesturing wildly at my daughters to be quiet with the other. A good sense of humor always helps in navigating the unbalanced times. 

How does Pillsbury fare in recruiting women and advancing them to partnership and leadership roles?

I think Pillsbury is doing a good job. Our Board Committee for the Advancement of Women is something that was not visible to me as I was coming up as an associate. In hindsight, I realize how much of an impact they had on my career and on the careers of women around the firm, because they make the issue visible to firm leaders on a regular and systemic basis.

What advice would you give to a woman who aspires to be a partner at a law firm and also wants to start a family?

You are going to have to figure out what works for you and your family, but try to figure out something—have a plan. For my family, that meant having a designated primary parent. My husband and I made that decision early on—I’m the primary parent in the mornings and my husband is the primary parent in the evenings. Life is rarely predictable, so sometimes the plan doesn’t work out, but setting the expectation and trying to live up to it has helped us tremendously.

Alicia McKnight is a Finance partner in Pillsbury's San Francisco and New York offices and serves as co-leader of the Pillsbury Women's Impact Network. She has two children.