Working Parents: Thriving in the Sandwich Generation

Life and work are a balancing act – and working parents with caregiver roles for their children as well as their own aging parents face unique challenges. For years, Amie Peele Carter was squarely in the midst of the so-called “sandwich generation,” attempting to maintain her equilibrium (and sense of humor) as a busy lawyer at Faegre Baker Daniels, a loving (well, most of the time) wife and mother, and the primary caregiver for one of her own parents.

With the passing of her Mom to ovarian cancer in August 2009, Amie carries a richer understanding of the “sandwich generation,” and she shares her personal thoughts in this new chapter of her life. Knowing how it feels to be immersed in multiple roles 24/7, Amie passes along tips on keeping all fronts going — while maintaining some sense of order as well as your sanity. She talks of organizing, prioritizing, scheduling, strategizing and even relaxing, if ever she can squeeze in a quiet moment. Amie also shares her feelings about grieving and moving on after the loss of a parent.  Amie uses her experiences to help others through her blog, speaking engagements and individual consulting.

Amie is a partner at Faegre Baker Daniels, where she has worked as an intellectual property and sports law attorney since 1999.  She is a member of the trademark, copyright, advertising and e-commerce groups in the firm’s intellectual property practice. She enjoys speaking at national conferences and to local organizations on topics related to her practice. Amie also works extensively with the firm’s sports and entertainment clients. 

Amie’s law practice allows her to help clients with their comprehensive legal needs, including corporate formation issues, branding, strategic growth counseling and social media.  She chairs the Trademark Committee for the American Intellectual Property Law Association.  Amie leads the Baker & Daniels NAWBO Corporate Partner team and has served on the executive planning committee for the 2011 Annual Awards Luncheon.

Amie’s civic activities include volunteering with Veterans of Valor (an organization founded to help wounded service members), Midwest Fashion Week, and Indiana’s resource for ovarian cancer awareness – Ovar’Coming Together. She supports Dress for Success, the Girl Scouts, Girl’s Inc., Trinity Episcopal Church and Saint Richard’s Episcopal School.  Amie is active in the Faegre Baker Daniels/Eskenazi Health (Wishard) hospital EMBRACE medical-legal partnership, preparing end of life legal documents for female cancer patients.

 Amie also mentors countless women lawyers, law students and business owners. She runs a blog focused on her law practice, www.thecircler.com, in addition to www.findyourequilibrium.com. Amie has been interviewed for the Wall Street Journal, the IBJ, the Indiana Lawyer, Fox News and on the TV show, Full Circle.

  Before attending law school, Amie served as student body president at Millsaps College, receiving her B.A. in 1992.  She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Amie earned her law degree in 1996 from Emory University School of Law, where she received an award for outstanding appellate advocacy.  She studied foreign policy at The American University and worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Jim Bacchus in 1991. 

 Amie lives with her husband Stuart (also a lawyer) and two children in Zionsville.

Creativity and balance are as important at work as they are on the homefront – to successfully navigating complex situations. Join the conversation, your feedback is always welcome!

The commentary in this blog is intended for dialogue and enjoyment only. It is not to be considered legal advice.