Life and Work with Lauren Atwater

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Atwater.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Lauren. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to practice law (aside from the brief moment in my childhood when I halfheartedly thought I’d be a Hollywood actress). My goal has always been to help others–especially children– and I felt that being an attorney would allow me the best opportunity to advocate for children within my community.

Despite my lifelong interest in becoming an attorney, it wasn’t until my second year of law school at Howard University School of Law that I truly found my passion for trial advocacy. At the end of my first year of law school, I tried out for the Huver I. Brown Trial Advocacy Team as a way to boost my resume and work on my public speaking. I’d sworn off being a trial attorney before I even began law school and only intended to use my position on the team to assist me in some other area of law. But as they say, “if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” It didn’t take long for me to realize that trial advocacy came naturally to me and before I knew it I was only considering post-graduate positions that would allow me to practice as a trial attorney. Along with my membership on the trial advocacy team, I also was a member of the Child Welfare Clinic and the co-founder/president of the Education Law Society which reaffirmed my passion for children.

I graduated from Howard Law in May 2015 and began my legal career as an attorney with the Dekalb County Conflict Defender’s Office the following year. Although I wasn’t working with children, I was satisfied with my position as a trial attorney. Again, God had bigger plans. During a career day at my alma mater, Westlake High School, I met a partner from Collins, Gordon & Henry, LLC who asked me if I’d be interested in a position with the firm. Collins, Gordon & Henry, LLC focuses on juvenile dependency/child welfare through a representation of the Department of Family and Children Services. I accepted the position shortly after and have been with the firm ever since. I handle all dependency matters from initial removals to guardianships and terminations of parental rights. So, here I am–a trial lawyer who advocates for the best interest of children in my community who have been abused and/or neglected.

Has it been a smooth road?
Like all things in life, the road to becoming an attorney has not been without its complications. For those who are unaware, in order to practice as an attorney, you must first pass the bar exam. The bar exam is a two or three-day exam (depending on the state) which assesses your knowledge of the law. Here’s the kicker: bar takers have no clue what areas of law will actually be tested on the exam so we must prepare ourselves for everything. Studying for the exam typically requires your undivided attention for at least six weeks.

Unfortunately, the first time I took the bar exam, I failed. I was not focused on fully understanding the material due to more pressing family matters that required my attention. For the first time in life, the road to becoming an attorney was–at least temporarily–blocked. I was devastated and doubted my abilities to really become an attorney. The exam is only offered twice a year so I had to wait until the next exam (six months later) to try again. Obviously, this created a financial hardship as I was unable to work as an attorney during this time. I retook the exam in February 2016 and learned that I passed the exam the following May. To date, it has been the best moment of my life.

The advice I would give to young women is to focus on your journey and do not become discouraged if things don’t happen the way you intended. Your path may not be like the next person’s and that’s okay. I watched my friends pass the bar exam on the first try and begin careers with top firms and can admit that I wondered why it didn’t happen for me in the same way. For whatever reason, it wasn’t supposed to. Things will happen that are outside of your control. Keep going and remain steadfast in your faith. There are enough outside factors that will come along to try to discourage you so do not let your own self-doubt get in the way. You are capable.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I specialize in child welfare matters. In my current position, I represent the Department of Family and Children Services. At a child’s initial removal, I go in front of a judge and explain why it is in a child’s best interest to be removed from their home. The removal is based upon evidence of abuse or neglect that adversely affects the child’s safety and well being. From there, I assist my clients (DFCS) with developing plans to achieve permanency for said child–whether that means providing the parent(s) with the appropriate tools to reunify with the child, identifying and achieving guardianship for the child, or, in extreme instances, terminating the parents’ rights and proceeding with adoption.

I am most proud when a parent is able to successfully work a plan to reunify with their child and the child is able to return home. And while terminations are not the most ideal situation, I am equally as proud when a child receives the love and care he or she deserves and is adopted by a loving family.

I believe what has made me particularly successful is being a natural born planner. From the onset of the case, I am focused on the end goal which allows me to develop a Plan A, B, and sometimes C for a family.

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
While there are a number of challenges facing women today, I believe women are well positioned for leadership roles. I am so happy to be an adult during a time when women bosses are really emerging. I believe that so many women from Issa Rae to Myliek Teele have made it clear that now is the time for women to create their own lanes, design their own playbooks, and be their own bosses.

Contact Info:

• Email: laurenatwater.esq@gmail.com
• Other: linkedin.com/in/laurenatwater

Image Credit:
TrilShots Photography

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