A female personal injury lawyer is breaking stereotypes, and I’m so happy to feature her in honor of Women’s History Month. Brooke Goff, based in Connecticut, recently made waves by proudly announcing her pregnancy on billboards. Yes, that’s her in the image above — She’s not just breaking stereotypes, she’s smashing them to bits! This powerhouse isn’t letting motherhood slow her down. Nope, she’s running a thriving law practice AND raising a family.
Challenging pregnancy in the workplace stereotypes
With her latest pregnancy, Brooke decided to shout it from the rooftops—or, should I say, billboards—with messages like “Eating for Two While Fighting for You” and “Stay Calm, Leave it to Mom.” While stereotypes keep some females hiding their baby bump, Brooke did not and, in fact, she did the opposite by showcasing her pregnancy on the billboard.
“I felt that not enough women are able to celebrate pregnancy in the working world,” Brooke told me. “Many hide it under baggy clothing for as long as possible. They are ashamed and scared of losing their jobs.
As the CEO of a company in a field dominated by men I felt it was my duty to not only celebrate my pregnancy out in the open but also to send a message to other business owners in my field that if they will not celebrate the pregnancies and motherhood of their employees I certainly will take them and give them a better life under my roof. Motherhood is a superpower and should be celebrated by all.”
Brooke knows the struggle of working moms firsthand. She founded Goff Law Group in 2017 and today it is the biggest woman-owned personal injury firm in Connecticut. And she’s got 11 female staff lawyers on board, shaking up the male-dominated legal scene.
Public reaction to the billboard campaign
I was curious about the feedback to Brooke’s billboard pregnancy announcement. “I have received tons of different responses,” she told me. “I received many, many calls thanking me for creating the billboard campaign.
I continue to get so many comments about it… I would say it was 80 percent positive 20 percent negative and the negative which didn’t bother me at all. I had men reach out to me after it went up thanking me on behalf of their wives who were working in high-ranking jobs when they had kids. I couldn’t go into public after about 6 months without being swarmed about gender, how long, names, etc. People that follow me on social media sent gifts, cards, etc. The public was very kind.”
Balancing legal work and motherhood
Being a lawyer and a mom is obviously not easy. Both demand great multi-tasking and problem-solving skills. And being a business owner and a mom? That’s around-the-clock. But Brooke’s firm uses the latest tech to keep her clients in the loop, even when she’s got a little one in tow.
Sometimes she brings her newborn to work. I admire how she balances it all, even launching a Facebook Live series called Bake and Sips, where she dishes out legal advice while whipping up treats with her kids.
“In my experience, women who are mothers make the best employees. They work harder than anyone else hands down, have great time management, and look at their position as a career rather than a job,” Brooke said.
“We not only have to wear many hats but we have to wear all of them so very well without a break. We bring that work ethic and patience into our jobs and provide a maternal approach to dealing with people whether they are clients or customers.”
Here’s to Brooke and smashing pregnancy stereotypes this Women’s History Month
It’s not just about winning cases for Brooke. She’s on a mission to smash those tired old stereotypes about working moms. And I’m all for that as passing over moms for job opportunities is like leaving a winning lottery ticket on the ground. Employers who do that are missing out big time.
“The fact that in 2024 women are still skipped over because they may have to take time off to have a baby in the future or for sick days is disgusting,” Brooke told me. “The employers are losing amazing employees. Seeing women ashamed of their pregnancies and in fear of losing their jobs is depriving women of celebrating such a limited and monumental time in the life of being a mom.”
So, here’s to Brooke Goff and all the other badass working moms out there! Keep amazing us, ladies. Let’s step into Women’s History Month in March by uniting to overcome stereotypes.
Very neat, thank you!
That billboard is outrageously cool, and right on. Fabulous.
I admire Brooke on so many levels! Thanks Resa for loving this one too xx
Terrific interview. She’s a highly accomplished and forward-thinking person.
I’m in awe of her, Neil!