12 www.lawyer-monthly.com Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year That’s when I made the leap and brought in help. It was a pivotal moment, one where I had to ensure that the level of service I had been giving as a one-woman show didn’t diminish. Each client deserved the same accessibility and attention they had always received. It was a challenge, a juggling act, but it was a commitment I was willing to make. In essence, my journey has been this intricate dance of stepping into what I love, navigating challenges, and building connections that foster growth. It’s about seeing the potential in every interaction, every file, and every relationship. And as I reflect on the road I’ve traveled, I can’t help but be grateful for the twists, turns, and connections that have made it all possible. Each chapter is a testament to the power of organic progression, embracing the unknown with open arms, and crafting a meaningful career out of what started as just a spark of curiosity. Throughout your career, what have been some of the challenges you’ve faced as a woman in the legal field, and how have you overcome them? You know, if I’m being honest, there’s been this constant feeling of playing catch-up, like I’m always a step behind where I think I should be. But here’s the thing – now that I’m in my mid-forties, I’ve come to realize that life has its own timeline. It’s like I needed all those years for everything to click into place, for the dots to connect in just the right way. It’s funny how time can be this patient teacher. The more I’ve immersed myself in my practice and poured my heart into it, the more I’ve seen it grow. It’s almost like this reassuring rhythm, a reminder that hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. With every challenge and every victory, I’ve been inching closer to finding my stride. I used to think I was racing against some invisible clock, trying to keep up with where I thought I should be. But that mindset only brought unnecessary stress. Now, I’ve come to understand that growth and success aren’t dictated by a certain age or a set timetable. They’re born out of dedication, passion, and the willingness to put in the effort day after day. So, yeah, my main challenge has been this sense of being “behind.” But you know what? It’s not about being behind; it’s about being exactly where I need to be. And as long as I keep pouring my energy into my practice, keep learning, and keep evolving, I have this deep conviction that everything will continue falling into place. It’s a journey that’s uniquely mine, and age is just a number in this grand symphony of growth. Can you recall a particular experience where your perspective as a woman provided a unique or advantageous approach to a case or situation? Oh, you know, my practice has had this unique flavor to it, particularly over the past couple of years. I’ve spent a good chunk of my journey tackling probate matters, mostly tied to personal injury cases that other attorneys bring to the table. It’s this intricate dance of unraveling legal threads and finding resolutions, all while trying to guide my clients through a process they didn’t expect. A lot of my clients come from fellow attorneys, and interestingly enough, most of them have been men. It’s like this blend of experiences where I’m working in a field that often deals with men while bringing my own perspective to the table. When you break it down, it’s not just about solving legal puzzles; it’s about navigating emotions and providing reassurance when things aren’t going as planned. Picture this – you’re sitting across from a client, and you’ve got to break the news that there’s another hurdle to cross, something called probate. It’s not exactly music to their ears, and it’s completely understandable. These folks have been through the wringer with their cases, and the last thing they want is another complication. But here’s where that compassion and care come in. I’ve been told that the way I handle these conversations is a bit different. “It took me a while to realize that not everyone’s going to have my exact work ethic, and that’s okay.”
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