b'OkonMELANIE M elanieOkonhasspentherprofessionalSupreme Court before moving to work for a law firm. career for the past two decades proving herWhen she began considering starting a family, she skills as an attorney.Thats why she has beenstarted looking for an in-house position that would recognized among The Best Lawyers in America,allow her to keep less-demanding hours.She managed by D Magazine on their list of The Best Lawyers into work out a situation that would allow her to work Dallas, a six-time choice by Thomson Reuters to thejust three days a week. After having three children in list ofTexas Super Lawyers,and has been selected byfour years, being able to be home with them while ALM and Martindale-Hubbell as a Women Leaderthey were young was priceless.What Melanie points in the Law, Texass Top-Rated Lawyers and a Top- out, however, is that, I worked three days, but I kept Rated Litigator.Just as important to her is that shesthe same workload.I just had to get more efficient. also been raising three children and working in herTrying to balance the demands of motherhood and community to empower other young women.Nowwork was difficult, and she had to keep a full-time as a member of the team at Munck Wilson Mandala,nanny just to be able to juggle it all when her cases Melanie has always been committed to working withwent to trial.and for others who support women who are doing itAfter a huge leverage buyout at TXU, Melanie saw all. that it was best for her to begin looking for another IF YOU APPROACH THE WORK This Oklahoma native came to Texas to attend lawposition.Recognizing her strengths as a litigator, her school at Baylor University, and shes never left.Herboss told her they would still send cases her way if THINKING ABOUT OTHERS, THATS first year out of law school she clerked for the Texasshe moved to a firm.She looked for another position HOW YOULL BE SUCCESSFUL. 58GoodLifeFamilyMag.comSEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2019'