MOM LAID DOWN THE LAW: SON’S A LAWYER
‘My mom shared her mantra with my brother and me: “Be good and be good at it.”’
This Mother’s Day, I want to thank all the powerful women who have been inspirations to their sons.
In light of recent headlines featuring women who have spoken up to change the world, I want to express gratitude to my mom, Jacqueline Miller. She set an example for me to become a lawyer just like her in a time before women had the voice they have today.
I grew up in Wellington, and throughout my childhood, both of my parents worked in the West Palm Beach area.
For more than 15 years, my dad has run his own architecture firm, and my mother has practiced law at the Florida-renowned Broad and Cassel law firm. Growing up, I spent many hours in my parents’ offices, studying blueprints with magnifying lenses and scouring legal treaties like I wasthe one designing the hotel and preparing the motion for summary judgment.
I always admired that both of my parents were professionals, and I aspired to follow suit. Cur-- rently, I am an attorney at Palm Beach Gardens-based Mathison Whittles, practicing, among other
things, construction litigation, just like my mom.
My mother is one of, and quite possibly the, smartest person I know.
She earned her law degree from the University of Florida, graduating at the very top o f her class — which in and of itself is impressive, even more so because her
classmates included the Honorable Jorge Labarga, the present chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court.
She got her license in 1979 at
a time when there were few women practicing law. Not only was she a practicing attorney but she was able to take a tough situation and make the most out of it, getting a highly desired job in the litigation department at a huge firm right after school.
She worked hard to make a good name for herself, following her own mantra, the one she shared with my brother and me: “Be good and be good at it.”
Growing up, my brother and I had many advantages our peers did not, but my parents taught us humility and respect, and they didn’t let opportunities go to our heads.
I got my first job at 16 doing construction in the heat of the Florida summer, which helped solidify my desire to pursue a professional career after college. I went on to work in the summers for my mom’s law firm and was enthralled by all the smart people dressed in suits, arguing on behalf of a client with millions of dollars and lives on the line, with my mom leading the team.
That’s what got me set on my current career path.
After graduation, I had an interview with a firm that was doing construction litigation, and I was immediately on board. This practice area combined what both my parents do, and I was head over heels.
Being a litigator requires a thick skin, and it’s necessary to be a tough cookie. My mom can be entrenched in a nasty legal battle, but then take off that armor and be a caring and loving mother, grandmother, wife and friend. I have tremendous respect for that skill and have tried to emulate it in my own home.
I now have sons of my own, and my mom is such an amazing grandma. I see her interact with them, and it’s so special to watch her teach them the same lessons that I have valued my whole life.
She always told us, “Don’t mess with mom,” and she has been a living example to those around her.
I still call my mom with questions I have about work, family and everything in between.
She was always a rock, not only to our family but to my friends and cousins. She’s been my confidante, friend and example, helping me achieve my goals and be the person I am today.
Thanks, Mom, and Happy Mother’s Day. I love you!