I graduated from law school with a four-month-old baby in my arms. You have to know that to understand my parents’ graduation gift: a running stroller. As unconventional as that gift may sound, it was exactly what I wanted—to be able to relax after the long-but-invigorating days I anticipated as a practicing lawyer by taking my daughter on runs with me.

I now have two more children, and being a litigator is everything I hoped it would be. I love practicing law. I love telling a new client that they are no longer facing a problem alone. I love reviewing documents and interviewing witnesses, because good litigation strategies come from understanding the available facts. And I love standing up in court to show a judge or jury why our client should win.

I also still love relaxing at the end of the day by going for a long run. My trusty running stroller has logged hundreds of miles, but my children aren’t the only ones I carry with me. As I run, I reflect with gratitude on the people who have made it possible for me to pursue this career: my engineer father, from whom I inherited a passion for crossword puzzles and logical reasoning; my pastor mother, who taught me the power of words and the importance of fighting for justice; my lawyer husband, who encouraged me to apply to law school and never complains when I have to work late; the beloved judges for whom I clerked, who modeled how to write effectively and handle pressure gracefully; and my colleagues at Forsgren Fisher, who amaze and humble me every day with their dedication to putting the needs of our clients and our collective above ego and self.

As an old proverb goes, I’ve learned that going far requires going together. And because togetherness—a commitment to team—is the foundational principle of this firm, there are no limits to the distance we’ll cover when you run with us.