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Some of you may remember when Robert Fulghum's book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, became a New York Times bestseller. The first essay in the book, from which the book's title is drawn, lists lessons learned in kindergarten that are widely applicable (be kind, share, clean up after yourself). As I end my tenure on the Ms. JD Board of Directors, I am reflecting on the many things I learned over the years from Ms. JD. I'd venture that all we really need to know about being a woman in the legal profession we can learn from Ms. JD. The archives are full of stellar advice, words of wisdom, and thoughtful suggestions. With thanks to Mr. Fulghum for the idea, here is my version: 

All I Really Need to Know About Being a Woman in the Law I Learned From Ms. JD

Stop networking, start connecting. Find your cosas. Find a mentor. Find a sponsor. Find a personal Board of Advisors. Hustle. Don't recreate the wheel. Use your voice. Stand up. Stand out. Ask for a raise. Don't dumb yourself down. Stop apologizing. Stop procrastinating. Develop business now. Be focused. Find a niche. Add value. Add fun. Have a mimosa. Do good work. Proofread. Read it out loud. Rise and shine. Be yourself. Keep casting. Get great childcare. Ignore weird advice. But definitely stack the bread on the baby. Keep up with technology. Get help when you need it. Don't marry a jerk. Take a vacation. 

Remember that the quality of other people's lives depends on what we do with ours.

Be present. Contemplate your legacy. Give to get. 

Be bold. Be reckless. Be a little crazy. 

Stand together, rise together.

And so much more.  So very much more. Thank you, all, for the lessons and the love. 

P.S. I'm still practicing law in San Luis Obispo County and I'm still mixing basil vodka gimlets. Call me when you're passing through.