I am the fourth of four girls in a family. I’m pretty good at arguing. But, you know, the truth is as a young gal watching anything from Perry Mason to LA Law, which is what was going on then, you think of lawyers as being advocates, sort of knights in shining armor. I grew up in North Minneapolis. My mom was the receptionist at Dayton’s. My dad got the best job you could get being from on the farm working as a railroad worker. He was an engineer.

And I thought I was going to help people get justice. As time has gone on I’ve learned that the single biggest thing about being an effective lawyer is being creative. Behind you is a sign that says, “Think outside the box.” That’s how you help people find their dreams, which is what lawyers do, help people find their dreams and help people avoid problems.