First Friday Female Founder Feature: Sydney Batch
Back in February of 2019, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce hosted a breakfast so that Raleigh Chamber members could get to know newly elected officials. Since Sydney Batch had been elected to the NC House in November of 2018, she was warmly welcomed to the stage by everyone in attendance, even before we all knew what a jobs’ champion Sydney would become. Throughout her years of public service, Sydney has offered town halls on COVID-19’s impact on small businesses, the importance of broadband infrastructure, education to grow our area’s workforce and much more. As I’ve gotten to know Sydney as a member of North Carolina’s General Assembly, I’ve learned more and more about Sydney as a business owner, and I’m continually impressed. She lives and breathes the work-life integration skills on which I train, she is an undeniably brilliant individual, she exudes commitment to her team members as well as clients just like she is committed to her constituents, and her heart is larger than life. This leads her to use her brilliance to champion the underdog, continuously work for the greater good along with put each day’s efforts into making the world better than the day before. She even made her way to the House floor to cast a much-needed vote as she was in the midst of recovery from a chemotherapy treatment for her breast cancer. It is not without effort and challenges, but Sydney masterfully harmonizes her roles as family law attorney, social worker, small business owner, child welfare advocate, NC Senator, mother and wife to make the greatest, positive impact possible. Enjoy this peek inside the mind and heart of this absolute rock star!
Sydney J. Batch, J.D., M.S.W. is a family law attorney, social worker, small business owner, child welfare advocate, NC Senator in District 17, mother and wife.
Sydney grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and, as a triple Tar Heel, Sydney received her Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master of Social Work and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The combination of her dual degrees in law and social work provides her with a unique understanding of the often-intersecting worlds of law and social work. Following law school, Sydney entered private practice with her husband, J. Patrick Williams. She is one of the founding partners of Batch, Poore & Williams, PC. Her primary practice areas are family law and child protective services. She also practices appellate law. Sydney is certified as a Child Welfare Law Specialist and a parenting coordinator.
Sydney is actively involved in a variety of committees and organizations involving both family law and juvenile matters. She was elected to the NC House representing Southern Wake County in 2018 and was later appointed to fill a vacant seat in the NC Senate in 2021. She currently serves in the NC State Senate representing Senate District 17, which encompasses Holly Springs, Apex, Fuquay Varina, Garner, Angier as well as Cary, and she is now the Democratic Deputy Leader in the NC Senate. Senator Batch has continuously advocated for families and small businesses during her time in the legislature, currently serving on the following committees: Appropriations on Health and Human Services, Commerce and Insurance, Finance, Health Care, Joint Legislative Committee on Health and Human Services along with Judiciary.
As a legislator, Sydney believes that policy and evidence-based research should inform and guide the legislation passed in the North Carolina General Assembly. She has advocated for several common-sense reforms, including paid family leave, affordable childcare and mental health access.
In her spare time, Sydney enjoys reading, traveling, watching football and spending time with her family. She resides in Wake County with her husband and two sons.
Learn more and follow Sydney online via these social media channels:
a. https://www.facebook.com/friendsforbatch/
First Friday Female Founder Feature:
Sydney Batch
How would you describe your company and the products / services you offer?
Batch, Poore & Williams, PC is a law firm that represents clients in the following areas: family law (divorce, child custody, child support, division of marital assets), child welfare law, appeals, small business law, contracts as well as wills and estates.
Why did you start your company?
I decided to start my own business because it was important to me to have the flexibility necessary to raise my children and dictate my work schedule and quality of life. While there have been times that owning a business is stressful, I wouldn’t change it because I have been able to prioritize important milestones in my children’s lives and my life without feeling that I am compromising my ability to advance in my career.
Sydney Batch is a founding partner at Batch, Poore & Williams, PC law firm
What have been the most rewarding parts of your journey in founding this company?
Many of our clients come to us at the worst time of their lives. We always strive to have our clients leave our law firm in a better place than when we first started working with them. Helping clients navigate through the worst times in their lives and achieve security and closure while beginning a fresh start is extremely rewarding.
About what are you most proud?
Helping clients find peace and closure after being in very difficult and sometimes abusive relationships with their partners. I also enjoy representing children and helping them navigate the difficulty of parents who are arguing over custody issues.
Are you naturally organized, was it a skill you learned or is it something with which you regularly struggle, and what tips or tools do you use to stay your most organized?
Yes, I am naturally organized. I think I am generally organized because I have a Type A personality and want to ensure that there are systems in place to optimize success. I use a combination of digital tools like Google Calendar and project management apps along with prioritizing tasks daily. It’s important to be flexible, but having a system in place keeps me focused on what matters.
Who’s the one person who changed your life and why?
My mother has had a profound impact on my life. She is a woman of strength and compassion who raised me with the understanding that serving others was not just a choice but a duty. Her work ethic and sense of justice inspire me every day and have made me the person that I am.
What words of wisdom would you have for someone who is overwhelmed with staying organized and / or productive?
At the end of the day, I break things down into smaller tasks and keep track of the most important items that need to get done that day. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you look at everything at once. Prioritize the most important tasks and tackle them first. Also, give yourself grace—it’s okay if everything doesn’t get done in one day.
Do you use technology to help stay productive or organized? If so, what’s your favorite program, app or tech tool?
I rely heavily on Google Calendar for scheduling and Slack for team communication. They allow me to keep track of multiple projects and stay connected with my team no matter where I am.
Signing up for re-election
How do you feel about work / life efficiency or integration in your life, including any tips or challenges for managing the personal and professional commitments in your life?
Work/life integration is crucial, especially in public service where the demands can be relentless. I try to carve out time for family and self-care, but it’s always a challenge. Setting boundaries and communicating with my team helps me manage my commitments better.
About what causes are you most passionate?
I am deeply passionate about mentoring and speaking to young women about how to best navigate the professional world while managing their desire to have a family, personal life and ultimate fulfillment in life.
What have you found to be the most effective way to relax after a long day or super long week?
I put a jigsaw puzzle together every night to help my brain rest and disconnect from a chaotic and busy day.
What is your favorite author / book?
James McBride and “The Good Lord Bird”.
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
“You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.”
What is your go-to accessory?
My magsafe wallet. I notoriously do not carry a purse so having my wallet attached to my phone is essential for me.
What are the fundamentals of your beauty routine?
If I can’t get out of the house within 15 minutes, it can’t fit into my routine. I quickly brush my teeth, wash my face and curl my hair before darting out of the house for an extremely early drop off time.
What is your favorite food?
Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and a lot of gravy.
Of the locally-owned and -operated establishments in the place you currently live, which are your top 3 favorites and why?
Joyce and Family Restaurant in Fuquay Varina because it has the best southern cooking in the area and the owner is amazing.
Jaguar Bolero because it is a fun feel that can be adult- and child-friendly while allowing you to play games and get great food and drinks.
Cary Quilting Shop - I love to quilt so walking through a fabric store is one of my favorite things to do.
What is your favorite place that you have visited?
Turks and Caicos
What movie could you watch on endless loop?
Shrek
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation
What advice would you give your 21-year old self?
Give yourself grace. While it appears that others have it together, trust me, they do not. No one is perfect so do your best and know that you are enough.
If you could have lunch with anyone (living or deceased), who would it be and why?
Desmond Tutu. He was an amazing man who had great integrity, a strong moral compass and a tireless commitment to ensure that every person is treated with dignity and respect.
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