D.K.
Sounds like a crappy place to work. Maybe find a new law firm to work for where it is bigger and easier for you?
With your experience I would think you could find another place that is more "you".
Nobody should deal with the stress like that! That is abusive and wrong.
I think it is awesome you are doing this part time! Kudos.
I quit my job when I had my daughter, then had my son. Now I am divorced and after being out of the workforce getting a lot of cold shoulders for being at home for seven years. It is heart wrenching as I know what I have to offer but right now with the economy as it is, me being the end of the potential list for sure. I HAVE to go back to work in the fall, which is great as my kids both will be in school fulltime and have not regretted being here for them at all, I have been blessed being home with them and love it. I just know once you get out, the world is really prejudice about going back in vs someone that never left the working world.
You need to decide if you are doing it for money or for just some adult interaction and keeping yourself in the working loop. You can be a contract paralegal and work from your home, you could do legal transcription from home, all sorts of things in your field without going into the "corporate" b.s.
I am not going to say quit, because that has to be on you and you have to really think hard.
I think it is important for kids to see parents happy and if you aren't happy doing this then it isn't for you.
If you are happy having a little piece of life that is yours that you worked hard for then apply at a different legal firm and try something else in the same field.
But to answer your question, it is extremely hard to get back into corporate america after being out as a SAHM. There is some taboo I think...like I having been here without a brain and doing nothing. I have managed a home, organized schedules and ran my own child care business out of my home, but still I have sent in 10 resumes in three weeks without one response back....I am on month six of actively looking, nothing...
Good luck, just think what will make you happiest as ultimately that is the most important thing for the whole family.
Keeping your foot in the door speaks volumes later though!