Hey gals, Julianne here – your token Elle Woods OG WAF. Over the past few years my husband + I have had countless conversations about how we would manage the logistics of the careers we dreamed of. He was going through pilot training + I was applying to law schools + we never came up with a plan that seemed to give us both what we wanted. The time we spent apart while I worked towards my law degree made it clear that I was going to have to get creative about finding a fabulous job wherever the Air Force moved us.
Having a job that requires state specific licensure is not compatible with being a military spouse, but there are so many of us that make it work by planning ten steps ahead (if we take this assignment I can try to do something federal so I don’t have to take another bar exam, but if we go here I could waive in, etc.) + reaching out to others who have been through the same process. I found Military Spouse JD Network while researching my state’s reciprocity rules to see if I could use my FL license to practice in any other state we could move to next, which it turns out I can’t.
MSJDN advocates for licensing accommodations for military spouses + provides valuable networking + mentorship. Thanks to their hard work 28 states have some form of accommodations for military spouse attorneys. MSJDN set me up with a mentor, a brilliant Army spouse licensed in multiple states who was able to talk me through preparing for the FL bar exam that I took last month as well as things to consider for our upcoming PCS in 2019. It was so comforting to share my fears + goals with someone who knows the limitations + insecurity of this lifestyle + has navigated them skillfully in her amazing career. There are so many other spouses that have excelled in their careers while supporting their military member, open yourself up to those similarly situated + you will find the motivation and support to push forward!
We all know this ride can be wild and unpredictable, but I want to remind you that there are a lot of resources available to us. We are more resilient + capable of handling chaos thanks (in part) to the military so keep your head up make all of your dreams come true.
MEET JULIANNE
