I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico surrounded by mountains, green chile, and the spirit of the wild, wild west. The wide-open spaces instilled in me a spirit of adventure, the mountains taught me humility, and the culture taught me there is nothing better than being at a table piled with good food, surrounded by those you love. While my parents encouraged me to do well in school, they also instilled in me a sense of responsibility for the community around me. Above all, they taught me the value of hard work. Even now, I still hear my dad’s voice saying, “A job worth doing, is worth doing well,” almost every time I begin a task—be it cleaning the kitchen or researching a legal issue.

I first thought of becoming a lawyer when I was 18 years old and found myself sitting in Krzyzowa, Poland as a member of the United States delegation to the Model International Criminal Court. For a week I served as a judge alongside students from Israel, Poland, and Germany as we reenacted the trial of a Nazi war criminal from the Nuremburg Tribunal. As we digested the heartbreaking materials of the trial before us, we also grappled with foundational questions around defense, justice, and truth. What struck me most in that week was the power of storytelling in shaping how we engaged with the case before us. By the end of the week, I had no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be an advocate.

After four years studying politics and French in the cornfields of Central Michigan, I found my way to the University of Minnesota Law School. During law school, I discovered that same storytelling I admired in Krzyzowa in litigation work. Midway through my second year, I had the incredible fortune of joining Forsgren Fisher as a law clerk. From my first weeks with the firm, I knew I had found a legal home. I feel incredibly lucky to find myself as a member of a firm filled with great attorneys and even better people. Every day I learn more about what it means to be an advocate, what it means to think creatively, and what it means to truly be a member of a team.