It is important to look at what women we admire and why. I am often in awe of amazing women for their accomplishments and authenticity. However, in my experience, women can be the worst critics of one another. The homemakers criticize the working women for not caring enough for their children. The career women criticize the homemakers for not being ambitious enough and why? Mostly because we are not being true to ourselves and we are displaying our own insecurities about who we are and the choices we are making. I have been blessed with the opportunity to experience both sides, a stay at home mother with my children, working for someone else and now a business owner.

During each stage, I have had to deal with my own feelings of insecurity regarding my children and relationships. Do I still fit in with the stay at home moms, now that I have a busy firm? When I was at home, did I still have anything to talk about with my law school friends? And of course, the worst of all is, am I doing the best for my children? I think all women deal with those thoughts at some time or another, but in the end, what really matters is how we influence others. When I look at the influential women during my lifetime, I am fascinated by the ones that resonate with me. Princess Diana was an amazing person yet her story was so sad in many ways. She suffered from so much self-doubt and criticism, but she had an amazing influence on the world and was able to give back to the sick and poor. Madonna is a woman who broke through so many boundaries. I admire her for making music on her own terms and not apologizing for doing it differently.

As women in the workplace, we so often follow rules made by men because the jobs were performed by men. I say no more! As a woman, we have the right to rewrite the rules and do it our own way. And if we do the job in a pretty dress and high heels, all the better, because we are in fact women and we should not have to hide our femininity as if it weakens us. Because we all know that it strengthens us.   The most influential woman of the past twenty five years in mind is Oprah Winfrey, a definite great woman in history. She broke through so many gender and racial barriers with her first television show and became the most successful woman on TV.  During her reign on TV, she was authentic about her struggles with abuse, weight and her love life. Her authenticity allowed the viewers to identify with her on a personal level. There have been articles written on the Oprah Effect, that she has a make or break it effect on products. I still find myself reading her magazine and buying her recommended products and I usually agree with her suggestions. She has incredible power and influence over purchasing decisions of Americans, and that is admirable. I believe women are all truly “fierce” inside whether they are famous or not. All women are capable of fulfilling their dreams and goals.

Personally, I aspire to influence women in a positive way through their divorce struggles and in their business triumphs through my law firm. Through the firm, I get the opportunity to watch women rise above their circumstances and persevere in ways they never thought possible. I am continually inspired by our clients who, in the midst of pain and anger, maintain their resolve and refuse to give up on themselves and their children.

In times of difficulty, we have the opportunity to discover our true selves and realize we can handle more than we thought and not only survive the hard times, but prosper!  I am blessed and honored to be brought into the lives of our clients and watch the transformations they undergo during a divorce.  I hope that our role in our client’s lives is one that will last for years to come; not in repeat divorce work, but as support for our clients as they start their new lives and break free from their past.

This year, one of my goals is to create programs for women going through these milestones to help them find their power and become the person they were meant to be. We are conducting workshops and retreats that will facilitate healing and help for overcoming obstacles in life and work that allow women to achieve their goals.

She Is Fierce! is proud to partner with The Quick Law Group.  If you are interested in attending one of their upcoming seminars, workshops or retreats, visit www.thequicklawgroup.com for a list of upcoming events!

Heather Brooke Quick is the 3rd generation of her family born in Jacksonville, Florida, and the third generation to open a Jacksonville Beach law firm, following in the footsteps of her grandfather and uncle.

Heather graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of North Florida in 1998 and earned her Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law in 2000, graduating with honors in the top 7% of her class. After graduation, she became a prosecutor in the St. Petersburg area where she handled cases involving DUI charges, jury trials, drug offenses, domestic violence, and traffic violations.

In 2005, after discovering her passion and fulfillment was in Family Law, Heather opened her own practice in Jacksonville Beach.   Knowing each client’s situation is unique, Heather’s mission includes taking time to listen, providing individual attention and the personalized care a client deserves. Being a child of divorce herself has given Heather genuine compassion for the difficult situations incurred by family law issues.

In 2013 and 2014, Heather was Peer Reviewed and selected to be in Jacksonville Magazine’s Top Lawyer issue.  She also received the BV Distinguished Rating, indicating very high rating from her peers in legal ability and ethical standards.

In early 2014, Heather shifted the entire focus of The Quick Law Group to family law for women only and authored a book, Women’s Guide to Divorce in Florida: What Women Need to Gain an Advantage in the Process.  Her second book, Is Divorce Right For You? A Step by Step Guide to Determine if You Are Readywas published in the fall of 2014.

Heather is actively involved in the Jacksonville Bar Association and is serving her second year as co-chair of the JBA Judicial Relations Committee.  In 2014, she was appointed by The Florida Bar to serve a three-year term on the Family Law Rules Committee.  She was also recently selected to serve on The Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council (VAAC) for the city of Jacksonville, Florida.

Heather’s desire is to change the way women are represented in the divorce process.  She is committed to empowering women as they navigate divorce and other family law issues, so they and their families are able to move on to a happier, healthier lifestyle.

Photo courtesy Flickr