Elizabeth Kriz
Meagher + Geer
What’s one change in your work life that you’ve enjoyed this past year?
This being my first year as a practicing attorney, I have really enjoyed being able to come into the office every day. We follow the social distancing guidelines and wear masks in the hallway. We are also a small satellite office, and not at headquarters in downtown. It is a lot easier to learn and receive mentoring from the partner I work for in-person. To have the human interaction and even just a smile has been nice. Receiving feedback in-person rather than over email or Zoom has given me a tremendous boost in my abilities to practice law.
What has been your favorite non-work activity to support your wellbeing?
I jumped on the Peloton craze that happened at the beginning of the pandemic. I love the energy that the instructors bring to the class, and I use the other riders in the class as motivation to push myself to finish the rides. I also moved to Bismarck, North Dakota when I accepted my job with Meagher & Geer, and the winter here has been pretty mild. It has been nice to be able to get outside and explore my new town and the various outdoor activities it offers.
If you could tell the March 2020 version of yourself one thing, what would it be?
I would tell myself that everything will work out and to not stress over Zoom classes and finals. I would really emphasize to just keep moving forward even though the world around you is changing at a rapid pace. Focusing on the positives in life rather than the negatives will propel you forward. Hindsight is always 20/20, but not having a physical graduation ceremony was not the end of the world, although it seemed like it at the time. My family and friends still celebrated my accomplishments, and I can still say I successfully graduated law school and passed the bar exam.
What’s one book, podcast or movie you’d recommend to fellow HCBA members?
I recommend reading
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I am not a reader in my spare time typically, but I could not put this book down. I have actually read it twice now.
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Eder Castillo
Hennepin County Attorney's Office
What’s one change in your work life that you’ve enjoyed this past year?
The most significant change was my graduation from law student to government lawyer. I feel fortunate to put what I learned into action in service to our community. Last year, the quality of my legal arguments determined my grade. Today, my arguments affect the lives of others. It is a solemn responsibility that I don’t take for granted.
What has been your favorite non-work activity to support
your wellbeing?
I support my well-being by playing games with my loved ones. I spend equal amounts of time going bankrupt to my fiancée in Monopoly, letting my brother down in Rocket League, and running around aimlessly in Roblox with my little sister. They've taught me a much-needed lesson in having fun while losing.
If you could tell the March 2020 version of yourself one thing,
what would it be?
Invest in GameStop.
What’s one book, podcast, or movie you’d recommend to
fellow HCBA members?
My office is reading The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. This book traces a line from our nation’s origins to the most recent events in our community. If you choose to read this book, I recommend reading it with others, discussing it, and responding with collective action on the issue of mass incarceration.