What happens when you cross your curiosity with our openness and transparency? An insightful little interview with one of our team members, that’s what.
Ok, Liz Austermuehle, let’s pretend for everyone at home that I don’t know you. This is literally, honestly the first time we’ve met. Please introduce yourself.
I’m a litigator and a new member of the Jayaram Law team. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, went to college at the University of Illinois, and returned to Chicago to attend law school at the University of Chicago. I live in Oak Park, Illinois with my husband and two toddlers.
Any pets?
We have a 13-year old dog.
When did you join Jayaram Law?
I joined Jayaram in March, just one week before everything shut down, so I’ve been enjoying getting to know my colleagues and our clients virtually and can’t wait to work with everyone in person soon.
Everything’s so crazy right now. How have you been coping?
Since we began staying at home, I began a number of challenges to stay busy. These range from the somewhat successful (nurturing a sourdough starter and baking bread) to the less successful (attempting to cut my son’s hair). But, by far, the most rewarding challenge I’ve taken on is reading more. Since quarantine began, I’ve set a goal of reading one book per week. It’s helped me immensely in unplugging earlier each evening, reducing my screen time, and limiting the amount of news and social media I take in every night. Sitting down with a physical book requires me to put my phone away, and it has been the best coronavirus escape that I’ve been able to come up with. Reading others’ writing always helps me strengthen my own writing (a constant goal). While I can’t wait for life to return to normal, I’m going to do my best to maintain this new habit in the postcoronavirus world.
So speaking of reading, care to share what author or book has your interest at the moment?
At the moment I’m reading Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane. It’s a novel about two families in a suburb of New York, spanning several decades, and looks at how things that happen to us as children can impact us the rest of our lives.
Thanks Liz. Enjoy your book. I’ll see you on Zoom…