Tell us a little bit about yourself and your law practice.
I’m a newer attorney with a lot of life experience under my belt—it makes me flexible and resilient. I’m a former elementary school teacher, avid birder, puzzle and board game enthusiast, and meditation novice. I work in the water practice group at Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend where most of my practice is focused on surface water issues—water quality, water supply development, impoundment, permitting, and enforcement, but everything is so nuanced that I’ve never worked on the same issue twice.
How long have you been involved in AYLA and what has been your best AYLA experience so far?
I’ve been involved with AYLA since I moved to Austin right after law school! (Go Coogs!) I particularly loved being involved in AYLA’s Leadership Academy. It was such a great experience getting to bond with members of the AYLA community, esteemed public servants, and serve the legal community in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
What was your childhood dream job?
Four years old? A Power Ranger.
At eight? A lawyer and the owner of an NFL team.
At thirteen? A writer of adventure and science-fiction novels!
Always listen to your 8-year-old self.
What are some of things you enjoy most about living in Austin?
Just a few, I suppose. I enjoy that I’m always close to a park or outdoor space because Austin and the surrounding communities, for now at least, prioritize greenspace and access to nature. Breakfast tacos: I’m from Minnesota originally—which you’ll find out after talking to me for about five minutes, dontcha know, so breakfast tacos every day. Record shops. Comedy clubs. The “Lake.”
What’s your best piece of advice for young attorneys?
Learn how to say no, when to say no and knowing the difference between the two. Prioritize your commitments and don’t stretch yourself too thin. If it’s important to you to grow your commitment to your legal community through service to the Bar, great! If you want to focus on industry organizations focused on the area of law that you practice, very cool! Personal life—church, PTA, soccer league—calling you? Go for it! Just know how to prioritize what’s most important to where you want to grow and when to say no to an opportunity that may seem good but just puts too much on your plate. Learning how to say no, however, isn’t the same as having the tact to know when to say no.