Leron E. Rogers is a partner in Hewitt & Rogers.  He heads the Firm’s Entertainment, Technology and Media Law Practice Group.  He represents corporations, high profile entertainers, athletes, producers, songwriters, management companies, record labels and publishing companies.

He is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS/Grammy Foundation) and an Advisory Board Member of the Future of Music Coalition.  Leron is a former draft pick of the Atlanta Braves.  He was honored as one of the Top Counselors at Law in “Who’s Who in Black Atlanta.”

(Interview with Flaimahmy, August 7, 2009)

FM:  How do you balance the time demands of your law practice and spending quality time with your children?

LR:  It is difficult at times, but the kids are inked in first and everything else is penciled in.  I do my best to work everything around the kids.  Sometimes that is more difficult than others.  My kids are ten and seven and very active in school and sports.  I often have to leave the office late afternoon to get them and take them somewhere.  I have negotiated deals at the ball park, the gym or late in the evening after the kids are in bed.  Client’s don’t care how it gets done.  They want to make sure it is done and done correctly.

FM:  Aside from the caretaker role, how do your kids benefit from your career?

LR:  When I have to travel, I talk about it with my kids.  We keep a map and put stickers on all the places I have been.  They look up places like Paris, London and Norway.  It has expanded their horizons.  My daughter told me the other day that she is going to move to Paris and be a chef when she grows up.  That statement alone lets me know that their vision has expanded as a result of our discussions about travel.

FM:  In general, do you think that there is an equitable distribution of work, household and family responsibilities between working mothers and working fathers?

LR:   I think maybe the responsibilities are different.  I think they are equally difficult.  In general, moms may carry a little bit more burden.

FM:   Do you think that  the primary responsibility for child-rearing should be the mom’s or the dad’s?

LR:    I think it has to be both; it should be both although they may do different things.  Sometimes the mother may be more nurturing; maybe the dad is the disciplinarian or in some other role.  I think everybody has their responsibilities.

FM:  In family decisions who do you think should have the last word?

LR:    Oh goodness.   That’s the million dollar question.  Ideally, of course, it should be a collective decision especially based on the children.   But, typically the dad has the last word, I think.

FM:   In the work environment, who do you think has it easier?

LR:   In terms of the work environment?

FM:  Yes, do you think women have it easier than men or men have it easier than women?

LR:    I can only speak about me because I’m a man and it’s tough when you have a full load of work reponsibilities but yet your children want you to be at their practice and pick them up and take them here and there.  That’s not  always conducive to my work schedule, but the kids take priority.   You just have to make it work.  I think moms have to do the same thing.   They just have to make it work.  I don’t think it’s so much a mom vs. dad thing as much as it is what your line of profession is, what your hours are and how conducive that is to raising children.  Some dads I know that are good friends of mine spend way more time with their children than the moms because of their occupation and their work schedule.  It leaves them to be the primary care-taker for the child.  I think that’s more a function of what your career is, your hours, and your occupation than mother vs. father.

FM:   Do you believe in traditional roles for men and women?

LR:   I don’t know what a traditional role is but…sure.

FM:  Well, our society has been built on men working and the mother staying at home.

LR:   Oh, that traditional?

FM:  Yes, there are traditional roles that at this point have changed a lot.  Do you think that we are moving too far away from tradition?  Do you believe in the tradition?

LR:    You know, I think it really has to strike a balance because it depends on what each person wants.  My philosophy is as long as the mom and the dad can come to some agreement on what their expectations are it can work.  For example, if the mom and dad both agree that the mom should stay home and the dad should work , then it can work.  There are some trade-offs because the dad may have to work a whole lot to pull all the weight financially and that leaves a lot of work at home for the mom because dad’s gone.  So, there’s this trade-off.  Any decision is going to be a trade-off.  There are pluses and minuses.  My own belief is if your kids are in school there is no need for the mom to be home all day.   I think the mom working is fine as long as everything can be accomplished at home.

FM:   What household chores do you hate doing?

LR:   Oooh.  Ummm…hate doing.  I hate cleaning up after dinner.

FM:  So you’re not a big fan of the dishes?

LR:    Naaah.  But, it has to get done.

FM:   Yes, it does.

FM:  Who’s smarter, men or women?

LR:   Oh, that’s loaded…terrible!  That is not even a fair question because it doesn’t matter whether it’s a man or woman; it’s individuals.  Some men are smarter and some women are smarter.

FM:  Good answer.

FM:  Do you think mothers should wear mini-skirts?

LR:   Yeah, if your figure can take it.  If your figure can accomodate a mini-skirt in the right setting, yes.  Maybe not to a parent-teacher conference.  But, if you can ”rock it”  go for it.

FM:   Name two women that you really admire?

LR:    Do they have to be living?

FM:   No.

LR:    The two women that I really admire are both my grandmothers who were very influential in my life… and my mom… I’ve got to get three… my two grandmothers and my mom… all three of  which have passed and are looking down on me from Heaven still guiding me.

FM:  Tell us in your own words what makes you a Fly-Daddy?

LR:   Well, I think because when I’m with my kids they get 110% and although they don’t think I’m cool, I think I’m cool.   They can’t believe that I’ve ever done anything else before they were around.  Being with the kids, giving 110% for them, making sure all of their needs are taken care of, and then when it’s time to hang out  and be with my friends I can flip over to that script as well.