Ingrid Chiemi Schroffner: Writer, Musician, Mother… Attorney?

Posted: July 8th, 2010 | No Comments »

Ingrid Chiemi Schroffner spends her days poring over case books and presenting legal arguments to judges and juries. And she spends other parts of her day exercising her creativity! She’s found that nurturing that very creativity has helped her to be an even better lawyer.

Job: Attorney, Musician, Writer

Age: 39

Family situation: Married over 10 years, 3.5 year old son and pregnant with twins (a boy and a girl) due 8/2010.

How do you make sure you feel good everyday? I have breakfast with my husband and son before going out into the world.

What inspires you to do the work that you do? Storytelling. One can tell stories on behalf of a client as a lawyer or about yourself or someone you know as an artist. The give and take of the listening and telling can be both instructive and inspiring. Either way, one is trying to connect to an audience. And that, in the end, is what it is all about – making a difference to accomplish something for someone who needed their story to be told.

How did you muster up the courage/confidence/stamina to create the life you have? I owe much to those I have been fortunate enough to have been able to connect with in various settings. Expanding your world to include those with different experiences can offer up new perspectives and give you the courage to make a change that you might not otherwise have contemplated. An example of that for me was when I decided to become a government lawyer after over 10 years of private practice. I would not have heard of the position or been able to learn enough about it to decide to take it, had it not been for my public sector friends. Relationships as well as unexpected connections can lead to many opportunities, and you need to be open to them when they come.

What’s your approach to nutrition? I have a good breakfast, and I eat when I am hungry. I also try to make sure that I do eat during busy times by keeping protein/nutrition bars at hand.

How do you stay inspired when difficult challenges arise? The counsel of colleagues and friends can be invaluable for the perspectives it can bring.

Also, although the practice of law can be taxing, integrating what you enjoy into it, rather than foregoing it, can improve your work –improve your outlook and feeling of internal authenticity. When I first started practicing, I gave up music for a while. But I really missed it, so picked up my guitar again in 2003 and began playing out and with others. It made such a difference –even though I was getting less sleep, I was much happier. And I discovered a connection I had not understood before –that litigation is performance. In fact, I felt that my oral argument skills and reaction time improved after I started playing music again. It really helped my confidence and ability to articulate. When I am feeling frustrated, I play music.

What do you do to stay in balance? I am not sure I am balanced, but I try to enjoy the moment and think of each activity for itself rather than together with everything else (which might cause a person to feel overwhelmed). I have a great belief in things working out and being able to be worked out. Also, my husband is extremely supportive, and has a fantastic sense of humor.

What’s your ultimate indulgence – just for you? I enjoy playing guitar and singing. I also run. Both are relaxing and joyful for me.

What advice do you have for women aiming to have it all? In other words, what do you do or have you done that works for you? Live your life, relish the inevitable contradictions, and try to harmonize and transform the complexities into something for the greater good through sharing and communication with others.

Photo courtesy of Color Magazine