If you couldn’t be a lawyer, what job would you want to try?
I would be a 9th grade basketball coach.
What led you to a career in law? How did you choose your area of practice?
I worked in government and politics my last two years of undergrad and the year after graduating. I asked my then-boss if I should pursue a master’s in public policy. He said law. I said okay. And the rest is history.
What is one achievement—in your career or somewhere else in your life—that you are proud of?
My law partner Paul McEllistrem and I tried a jury trial together in 2016 in Hennepin County. It was a case involving an elderly woman who was assaulted at her home by a temp-employee who was there to perform yard work. We had, going into the trial case, expenses greater than the last offer of $25,000. I was never sold on the liability until the last day. The jury awarded us $5.58 million dollars. For us, it was liking winning the Super Bowl. I will never forget it.
What’s a great piece of advice you’ve received?
It never costs anything to be nice.
How do you unwind and add balance to your week? When you aren’t a lawyer what are you up to?
I really enjoy organizing and coaching youth sports in St. Paul. I did this before I had two sons of my own. Now I coach them as well. I enjoy the bonding and how sports are such a greater metaphor for explaining the ups and downs of life. You learn more from losing than you do from winning.
What books, movies, podcasts, or TV shows have you enjoyed recently?
There is so, so much to choose from. But at the same time, I struggle to the find the "one" show, book, or movie. I listen to the podcast "History that Doesn't Suck" religiously. It’s every other week and takes you through all the important moments in U.S. History. I also never fail to watch the Marvel series that Disney is producing. Moon Knight, in particular, was really good!