Regina Rodriguez, based in Denver, CO, is partner with the law firm Faegre Baker Daniels. Also a member of the Colorado Commission on Higher education, she gives back to her community, too.

Kid and Me Time
Mornings. In a word, busy! I’m up by 5:30 a.m. for an elliptical/weights workout in our mini gym. The kids are up around 6:15. They dress (school uniforms—easy) and clean their rooms (with lots of reminders). Arnold and I make breakfast and lunches, and we all eat together. I finish getting ready while Arnold takes the kids to school. My drive to work is my peaceful time. Coffee and music help me transition from the morning chaos—sort of.

Law Days
I’m a trial lawyer. I defend products like pharmaceuticals and medical devices. I help clients respond to government investigations. there are meetings, briefings, depositions, deadlines and client emergencies at the office. I travel five or six days a month—sometimes all month—to appear in court or meet with clients or witnesses. My husband Arnold, who’s a self-employed electrician, takes over at home. I couldn’t do this without him. He cuts back his work to bolster the family.

Taking Care
At the end of 2009, I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor and had brain surgery. I went back to work too soon—in about three months. I was part-time on a very reduced schedule. It took a while to increase the workload. It was very scary, but a good friend of mine told me you know you’re healed when you can see the blessing. The experience taught me the importance and value of leaning on others for support. It helped me learn that I can accomplish more than on my own. It’s humbling. So now I really do work on the balance and taking care of myself. Now getting to sleep on time and getting a massage are not luxuries, they’re necessities.

Tons of Support
Our extended family helps a lot: Arnold’s mom with housekeeping or school pickups; my mom in classrooms and at school events; my sister, aunt and cousins with drop-offs or pickups; my fatherin- law with babysitting. After school the kids do Girl Scouts and karate (taught by my uncle and cousin). No way I could be the law partner, lawyer and mom I am without this support. I try to work from home a day a week when I’m in town. Faegre Baker Daniels is the best!

Dinner and Books
I leave the office at 5 p.m. to get home to the kids on time—so important to me. My husband is the homework king. I do most of the cooking (but Arnold’s been doing a lot lately). On Sundays I make roasts or pasta, and we reheat or make stir-fry on weeknights. After dinner it’s baths and reading to each other. No TV or video on weeknights at all. I put the kids to bed at 8. We snuggle, finish reading, talk more about their day. After, I work in bed for a couple more hours.

Eat, Play, Love
Fridays are family movie nights. And I watch a lot of Tom and Jerry with the kids on weekends. Saturday mornings we take care of the house and do errands. Our house is a sanctuary for us. Saturday nights, Arnold and I go out to see friends or to dinner or watch a movie at home. On Sundays our family and friends come for dinner—10 to 15 people. It’s a great time to connect. I cook. I watch Food Network and cook with the Barefoot Contessa!

—As told to Barbara Turvett