Contributing to IFLR's Women in Business Law Group's Best Practice Series on inclusiveness, partner Paula Anderson (New York-Litigation) wrote an article on transition mentoring. In this installment of the series, Anderson and other Women in Business Law Group members discuss advice they give – and have received – about returning to the office after a period of time off, such as maternity leave. "Do not be shy about asking for help before, during and after your leave – either formally or informally," says Anderson. "Women who have come back to the workforce understand the challenges and can be great sources of insight and support."

When Anderson was preparing to go on maternity leave with her first child, she reached out to a fellow female partner who had returned from leave a couple of years earlier for some very valuable tips on managing the process, and was reassured that it was possible to have a successful transition with the proper planning and execution. "Importantly, she counseled me on managing my own expectations and helped me to understand that a ramp-up period following a leave was typical," Andersons says. "I have imparted this same advice to other female lawyers, who have in turn come to me to seek guidance on their transition.

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