In the legal profession, we talk a lot about innovation, fresh ideas, and staying ahead of the curve. All of that is important.

But sometimes the most powerful lessons don’t come from what’s new - they come from the people who’ve already walked the path before us. Mentors, colleagues, family mem...

It’s hard to believe August is already wrapping up! Around our house, the last couple of weeks have been a blur helping two college-age daughters move back to school and getting our son ready to start next week. I’m excited for them, of course, but I’ll admit - it’s bittersweet. The house feels quie...

It’s good to be back with you in EsquireWell Weekly after a couple weeks of summer break, and I hope you’re having a fabulous summer (how is it almost August?)!

I’ve been traveling a lot the last couple of weeks - recently to Chicago for the Professional Development Consortium (PDC) conference and ...

This morning, I was enjoying a quiet morning at home, sipping coffee, basking in the silence and stillness. 

My husband and two of our kids are already at the cabin, because that’s what Minnesotans do when the calendar says “July 4” and the mosquitoes say “party time.” 

My other daughter spent the...

This past Tuesday afternoon, I wrapped up a productive client meeting downtown, packed up my laptop, files, and water bottle, and headed home feeling efficient and accomplished.

Then came Wednesday morning. Coffee in hand, I sat down to start the day … only to realize my laptop charging cord was st...

A few weeks ago, I shared a photo of my backyard lettuce. It wasn’t a pretty picture – droopy leaves, sad little stems, and a serious case of what looked like gardening failure.

After planting with high hopes, I watched the seedlings wilt in the summer heat, and I started to mentally write them off...

When was the last time you did something creative - not to produce, perfect, or perform, but simply to play?

This Friday, May 30 is National Creativity Day, a reminder that creativity isn’t just for artists, musicians, or designers. Creativity belongs to all of us. And for those of us in law - wher...

Last night, I did something rare and wonderful: I took myself out on a solo date.

My husband and son headed to our family cabin yesterday (the cabin being our usual Memorial Day tradition) and I have just a couple more meetings and projects to wrap up today from my office in the Twin Cities. (Our d...

This week, I tried something new: growing vegetables. Specifically, lettuce. I’ve always loved the idea of stepping out into the backyard and grabbing a few fresh leaves for a salad. Simple. Healthy. Satisfying.

So this past Tuesday evening, my husband Ryan and I pulled out the starter plants I bou...

It’s that time of year again - the end of the semester. I’ve been reflecting on the students (almost all 3L’s) in our upper-level, two-credit “Well-Being and Professional Formation” course at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. It was an honor to co-teach with Professor Jerry Organ and to wa...

In the legal profession, we’re taught to show confidence, control, and command of the facts. We research thoroughly. We write persuasively. We present our arguments with authority. That’s what we’re trained to do, and often, what we’re rewarded for.

But what we’re not trained to do is show uncertai...

What if one of the most powerful ways to reduce stress, build stronger teams, and feel more fulfilled as a lawyer or legal professional didn’t require more hours or another certification?

What if it just meant being a bit more generous?

Last week, I had the privilege of emceeing the Lawyers Concer...