FAST FIVE: Caitlin O'Brien blazes new paths for working moms

Meet Caitlin O'Brien, who grew up on the West Coast riding horses, playing soccer and fly fishing with her dad whenever possible. She attended Whitworth University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in psychology. After a brief stint as a paralegal, Caitlin attended Gonzaga University School of Law, where she received her juris doctorate degree. Caitlin was a civil litigator before joining Smith + Malek in 2017. Since then, she created and now leads the health care practice group. One of the things she loves most about her career is seeing firsthand how access to quality health care can transform a community. In 2018 and 2021, Caitlin was named among the Top 30 under 40 by Kootenai County Young Professionals, and she’s one of the Idaho Business Review’s 2019, 2021 and 2022 Leaders in Law. Additionally, Caitlin volunteers as a commissioner for the Dalton Gardens Planning and Zoning Commission and at her daughter’s elementary school.

1) How did you go about blazing the trail for requesting and receiving paid maternity leave at two area law firms, therefore potentially changing the landscape for working moms?

I was an associate attorney at a larger regional firm when I became pregnant with my first child. At that time, there was no maternity leave policy for attorneys. In order to maintain my family's budget, it was crucial that I work, but I didn't want to sacrifice my recovery or bonding time, so I spoke with the owners about what paid leave would look like for the firm. I was subsequently granted 12 weeks paid leave after my daughter was born. Later, when I was considering a job with Smith + Malek, I advocated for the same benefit. While it was a different conversation because of the size of the firm at the time, I was successfully able to negotiate 12 weeks of paid leave, paving the way for working mothers at both of these firms.

2) What sort of work are you doing to raise awareness and advocate for families with young children, and why does this matter?

As Smith + Malek's health care practice lead, I work closely with health care organizations in North Idaho and across the mountain west region to help them grow sustainably and serve their communities. Our firm is especially adept at helping Federally Qualified Health Centers expand, which is so important because nobody is turned away from health care services at these clinics, despite insurance status or inability to pay. I'm passionate about this work because many families rely on FQHC providers, so if our firm can help one open an OB/GYN unit, or if we can partner with a health care organization's human resources department to revamp what parental leave looks like for its employees, then there's a ripple effect that will positively impact families for years to come.

3) What are a few things society can be better about when it comes to the needs of new moms/parents and child care?

This is a big question! Society needs to recognize the immense mental load we inadvertently place on mothers — we expect them to do it all. When we are at work, we are supposed to function like we don’t have children. When we are home, we are supposed to function like we don’t have a job. It’s unsustainable. As a society, we need to change this narrative. We need to do a better job of holding the other primary caretakers just as accountable. Another thing our society needs to re-evaluate is affordable, safe and plentiful child care options. For working parents with young children, access to quality child care can be debilitating. On a smaller scale, I think workplaces can make major strides to help support the needs of parents, which will ultimately benefit the employee and help them feel less stressed and more productive. Yes, paid leave, but also considering a flexible schedule. Our office is extremely collaborative by design so that if one of us has to leave for a personal reason, the work keeps moving forward.

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

That I know how to: Fly fish. I learned to fly fish on the Gallatin River when I was 11 years old.

That I: Can play one song on the piano: "Deck the Halls." I took lessons for 10 years and this is all I can remember.

That I: Have sixish pets — including horses, dogs and several barn cats depending on the day — and most of them are named after "Top Gun" characters.

5) If you could change anything about the workforce to make it more conducive to families, what would it be and why?

I would promote a cultural shift where workplaces value the family unit as much as productivity. Implementing policies that support parents, such as paid parental leave, flexible working hours and affordable child care is essential.