A time of new perspectives

Over the last several months we have all had to make significant changes in our lives and our practices. These changes, while difficult and often inconvenient, have also afforded us an opportunity to look at things from different perspectives. 

Of course, our perspective on where we practice has likely been one of the biggest changes we have encountered. At least it has been for me. In early March, I returned from Seattle after spending a few days with my brother and his family. My return coincided with the increased attention to covid-19 in the U.S.; Washington State had been identified as an epicenter of the virus. While I had no reason to believe I had been exposed, I nevertheless decided to self-quarantine in my home. I fully anticipated returning to the office in a couple of weeks. 

As a litigator with a practice that routinely has me traveling all across Minnesota, the idea of working exclusively from home felt particularly foreign. Frankly, it was hard to stay in one place. And because I was often on the road several days a week, I had also really come to appreciate the respite my law firm office provided me on those rare occasions when I was able to be there. I liked arriving early and staying late, and I really enjoyed seeing my co-workers. The thought of giving up both the travel and my office time in one fell swoop was a bit unnerving. 

Before covid-19, I occasionally worked from home, primarily using the kitchen table as my desk. Assuming my time working from home would be short-lived, I naturally started out there. Of course, the “couple of weeks” I needed to work from home quickly morphed into a month and, ultimately, several months. At some point I decided having to clear my work from the kitchen table every evening so we could have dinner as a family did not make much sense, so I moved my “office” to a folding table in our seldom-used formal living room, again assuming it was only temporary. 

Eventually, after my college-age daughter finished her distance learning for the year, I moved my work space yet again, to the dining room table that she had previously occupied. I think perhaps moving my work area so many times may have been my unconscious way of satisfying my need to travel! Regardless, each time I moved I found I had a new perspective on my home and family and I began to more fully appreciate how fortunate I was to have both. It also highlighted for me just how lucky I have been to travel all across the state while enjoying the safety net of a home base in St. Cloud.  

My perspective on how I practiced law also changed as I moved around my home. In-person interactions with my clients have always been an integral part of my practice style and one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. Quite simply, over the past 25 years I have found that getting to know people makes it much easier to represent them. Being forced to communicate with my clients exclusively by email and cell phone seemed a poor substitute for face-to-face meetings. As the weeks came and went, I became more comfortable with technology, and virtual meetings soon became the norm. Yet although they’re a huge upgrade over emails and the phone, even virtual meetings are no substitute for being in the same room with one another. Like changing my work area, adapting to the use of technology in my practice gave me a new perspective on just how important relationships are in our profession.   

So I am beginning my MSBA presidency with what I hope is a healthy mix of optimism and concern. I am optimistic because the MSBA and our profession have been able to quickly adapt to the challenges covid-19 has thrown at us. The MSBA has worked tirelessly to find innovative and effective ways to ensure our members continue to have access to the tools and resources they need in their practices. This, in turn, is enabling our members to provide quality legal services to clients all across the state. The MSBA also continues to be a voice for the legal profession. I have always known that the MSBA is important, but this experience has further cemented my belief that the association is absolutely critical to the vitality of our profession, now more than ever. 

I candidly acknowledge that I am also concerned for what the year will bring and how effectively the association can lead “from a distance.” I am struggling with the idea that the way we have always done things will not be able to guide me on this journey. Even so, you have my commitment that I will continue to look for opportunities to improve and embrace change that will enhance the MSBA and keep things under control.  

On a personal note, I want to thank the many people who have provided me the opportunity to take on this leadership role. First and foremost, I want to thank my husband, Paul, and our daughter, Laurin, for allowing me to devote so much of my time and attention to the MSBA. Over the years, they have kept a lot of dinners warm for me! My partners and colleagues at Quinlivan & Hughes have likewise been extremely supportive of my bar involvement and gave me not only their “permission” but their encouragement to pursue this leadership position. And, finally, to the many MSBA friends I have made along the way, thank you for the trust you have invested in me and for all of the hard work and dedication you devote to the association. Together our collective perspectives will keep the MSBA moving forward.