One year ago today, I changed firms and practice areas. Going from IP litigation to medical malpractice defense was a major shift, but I'm so glad I did it! A year later, I'm now also wading into legal malpractice defense and legal ethics. I'm proud of my journey over the last year!🎉

Tbh part of the reason I decided to work from home today is because the weather is going to be nice enough to justify opening my windows. Huzzah for fresh air!

I went to my first real professional wrestling show last night (#AEWDynamite). Two things that I haven't been able to stop thinking about are the charisma and athleticism the performers possess. They truly care about their craft and the audience reciprocated that care. It was fun!

*This is not legal advice* In a Complaint alleging legal malpractice, it should not take until paragraph 112 to get to the start of what you allege the defendant did wrong.

Did I wake up late today? Yes. Was it because I slept through multiple alarms? Yes. Did I freak out? No. I needed the sleep, my major thing to do today is at 11:30, and I'm trying to embrace the nice part of being a lawyer at a firm (flexible schedule).

I'm going to be at my alma mater this afternoon acting as judge for law students doing motion practice exercises. I'm actually kind of excited to hear the students' arguments related to this fake case.

Hey #lawsky, I'm curious about something. (1) Do you believe pro bono hours should be credited toward an associate's billable hour requirement? (2) If yes, in an ideal world, what do you think is an appropriate amount to credit on a yearly basis?

Only in Minnesota would an entire brewery be hype about the high school state hockey tournament.

I've listened to the whole album now (granted I've been working while doing it), but I think HS1 is still my favorite of his albums. They're all great, I just prefer the first.

I'm finally listening to the new Harry Styles album. My first observation is that his voice in American Girls reminds me of how he sounded during his One Direction days. It's nice.

Nothing quite like a reading an email as soon as you get up from a partner saying "I've been up all night sick. I can't make it for this appearance today. I need you to do it." You agree but then panic about if your suit is clean (and about whether you know what's going on with the matter).

It is an odd feeling being an associate that more junior associates approach for questions. Like what do you mean you trust me to answer your questions?

Gave a successful presentation on legal ethics and was asked by the shareholder if I wanted to do it again next year.

A year ago this week I gave my notice at my old firm. I remember being anxious about the decision to go from a large firm to a smaller firm (and the pay cut that came with that), but I am so happy I made the change. It was right for me and exactly what I needed.

I love it when an opposing party says "oh no we don't have this thing" in response to interrogatories and document requests, but then when you submit requests for admission asking them to admit that they don't have it, they deny and say they'll supplement their production. hmmmmm

I'm starting to be concerned that my face is saying "I need a vacation" because I have had like 4 people in the last couple weeks ask me if I have blocked time on my calendar for a vacation this year. I don't and that's another story, but still. I'm wondering if I'm looking haggard or something.

There is something really awesome about a partner calling you and saying "this client asked for you by name to work on this matter."

I worked very late last night and I got into the office very early this morning so I could get some stuff done before a mediation. Depending on how long this mediation goes, I may go home early and take a nap tbh.

Now that all the fires are seemingly put out for the day, I can actually get to the work on my to-do list at *checks time* 4:47pm... Happy Monday, y'all.

I forgot my badge limiting my ability to go to the restroom (i need it to get back to my office). One of the ladies who I had borrowed her badge today asked me on her way out if i needed to use the restroom before she left. It was very sweet but also made me facepalm a bit because i'm dumb.

A year ago yesterday, I accepted an offer from my current firm (I started 7 weeks later). It was honestly the best decision I could have made for my career. In the last year, I have had such incredible opportunities to push my career forward. I am so grateful and happy!

I dreamed all night about a brief that I need to get written this month. I'm not sure how many hours I spent working on it in my dream, but I should be able to bill for that time, right?

Trying a new thing where I enter my time from the previous day before I get started on my work so that I don't have to spend 5 hours at the end of the month entering all of my time. We'll see how this goes...good intentions and all

Spent about 30 minutes cleaning up my deadline tracker because cases have been added and removed so quickly in the last 2 weeks it has not been accurate. It's not billable, but I know it'll keep me sane over the next couple weeks.

I just sent my husband a message saying "hey i'm going to come home super early today" and his response was "and by super early you mean a perfectly normal time to leave work?" For me 4:30pm is definitely a super early time to leave...

Me while trying to meet all the competing deadlines while the world also feels like it is crumbling around me.

As a Minnesotan, I'm not doing well. It has been one of the longest months known to man. As a lawyer, I'm also not doing well. It is feeling like everything I learned in law school is quickly becoming irrelevant. As a person, I'm desperately trying to hold it all together.

Reading this and the supportive replies brought tears of hope and joy to my eyes. It's bleak here in Minnesota, but, boy howdy, these sparks of hope are so beautiful!

I hope this guy is haunted by his actions for the rest of his miserable life. If this guy has his own children, I hope they tell him how disappointed they are in him and go no-contact as soon as possible. I hope this guy has the day and life he absolutely deserves. He is not a man, he's a monster.

Woke up from a dead sleep because my dog was vomiting. Now 45 mins later I'm still awake knowing my alarm will go off in 2 hours. Work is going to suck.

In November, a colleague and I presented on Berk v. Choy and today SCOTUS issued its opinion. As a medical malpractice defense attorney, this opinion could have some major impacts on my clients. It is surreal to care deeply about a SCOTUS opinion that most people won't think twice about.

Past me did a mega favor for present me by getting gas last night. Present me is very grateful.

My Monday night tap class is usually an appointment I rarely miss...you know work is rough when I admit defeat and skip it. #TooManyDeadlines #AssociateLife

Today's soundtrack is 60s/70s Folk/Folk-Rock for no particular reason...

Me right now.

First day back in the office in 2 weeks. While I love the flexibility of working from home, I really do like working in the office.

Lots of emails flying around today asking "what's the status on this again?" or "where are we with...?" Seems like everyone is coming out of the holiday fog and feeling some urgency with things.

I wish I could count "cleaning my office" as billable time. A clean office makes me more productive and accomplishing a task helps get me "in the zone" to do actual billable work. Yes, I am aware that I could do it on my own time, but being able to count it towards my billable req. would rule.

I think the puppy is going through another growth spurt. She slept so long last night and now she is asleep on my lap while I'm working. (She is also preventing me from getting a second cup of coffee 🙁)

2025 was the year of change. New job. New furniture (in some rooms). New puppy. I'm hoping 2026 will be the year of growing and thriving, but also settling into a balanced routine. I'm excited what the year will bring.

Family all around me are succumbing to the flu. Tonight's countdown feels like I'm counting down to the new year and potential plague.

It should be noted that I hit my billable requirement yesterday so everything today and tomorrow is just gravy. #AssociateLife

The puppy is quite upset that my husband is still sleeping (he's sick) and that I need to work (from home). She finally fell asleep on my lap at my desk, but I feel like I need to be careful about how much I move so as to not wake the beast.

This morning I got the puppy up when I got up and we had a great snuggle session. Then when I put her back in her bed so that she would sleep in while I got ready for work she immediately tried to escape her crate. She was unhappy the snuggles were over. Girl, same.

Starting my holidays (minus a couple hours of work tomorrow) by getting a pedicure. Best decision I've made in awhile.

I'm losing a bit of steam at 3:30pm the day before the office is closed for two days for the Christmas holiday. I need to try to power through for another 2ish hours today. (Then I might do another couple hours tomorrow morning -- BUT THEN I'll be done until Monday)

This month I've done a good job tracking my time (I log my hours by hand), but I've done a really bad job at entering the time in our system. Over the next couple days, I'm going to try to get one week per day entered. Relatedly, my new year's resolution is to be better with this!

Just a couple more "billable" days for the year and I'm feeling really good about hitting my requirement. AND my holidays are unlikely to be negatively impacted!

People kept telling me that the firm slows down a lot in December...we are over the half way mark and it is not slowing down. Will my Christmas be ruined? Probably not, but still I'm not really coasting into the end of the year like I was promised/told.

There is something really nice about hearing a partner (law firm -- not romantic) say "I have more work that will come across your desk next week" and "I am very much looking forward to working with you on these upcoming matters."