As the founder/president of a boutique law firm, I have represented thousands of clients over my 44-year legal career. From this experience I have learned that we stand out because of our ability to recognize ancillary issues as part of a “big picture,” rather than concentrating on a narrowly defined single issue snapshot. In working for a number of prestigious law firms early in my career, I learned how to be the owner of my own firm and fashion a personal and collaborative culture and style to match our clients’ needs. We are often involved in David and Goliath situations, and many of our cases are unique, cutting-edge, and set interesting precedent.I am a child of Holocaust survivors and I was born in a German concentration camp, turned relocation center, after World War II. My parents and I immigrated to Minnesota when I was 2. Based on the decision-making, negotiation and interpretation skills I learned at a young age to assist my parents, whose educations were interrupted by the war, it was suggested I become a lawyer. It stuck! I am also the mother of two daughters and grandmother to 3 granddaughters. Yes, I am surrounded by strong, inspiring women!My career has been fascinating and varied, which is no small feat as very few women were lawyers when I began my career. To be recognized by my peers and others as a Super Lawyer, an AV Martindale-Hubbell rated lawyer, top-rated Avvo lawyer, public arbitrator for FINRA, and an arbitrator for local and federal courts, makes me proud.I have written nearly 100 articles for legal publications and I speak at local and national seminars on civil rights, disability and discrimination. A favorite activity is authoring my blog, “ToughLawyerLady,” in which I provide tips on how to navigate the legal system, and my personal perspective on how the law impacts aspects of our daily lives.