Professor shares expertise in renewable energy field

By Jo Mathis Legal News Residence: Scio Township. What is your idea of perfect happiness? On the beach of Lake Michigan--up north--sunshine, blue skies, 82 degrees, big waves, with the whole family. What is your greatest fear? To live in fear. Which living person do you most admire? One of the persons I most admire is my law partner, Monika Sacks. She has been my friend, mentor and colleague for 29 years. She is a remarkable woman. She was a step ahead of me in having children, and over the years she taught me that it is possible to be both a great mom AND a great lawyer. She gives 100 percent of herself to her family, her community, and her work. What is the trait you dislike most in yourself? I struggle with punctuality. I am working on this. What is the trait you dislike most in others? Dishonesty and lack of genuine character. If you could take back one thing you did... I wouldn't take anything back. I learn from my mistakes. I am a smarter and wiser person because of the mistakes I have made. I live for today and tomorrow, not yesterday. I think it's OK to make a mistake as long as it's a new one, and you take full responsibility for it. What is your most treasured material possession? My most worn pair of flip flops. If you could do one thing professionally... I would change the way family law matters are handled in our court system, from the format of filings and pleadings through the court processes. I think families going through a legal process, whether a divorce or probate matter should be differentiated from the criminal or civil litigant. What are your favorite websites? ICLE, Albion College swim page, and Amazon. Your proudest moment(s) as a lawyer? When a client expresses to me what a positive difference I made in his or her life. It's 7 a.m. Monday. How are you feeling? I'm feeling good. I've been up and at 'em for the last hour or so and planning for the week ahead. What would surprise people about your job? That one can actually get satisfaction out of practicing family law. I won't deny that the practice of family law is challenging, but when you are able to help a family get through a crisis in as whole and as positive a way as possible--that's a good thing. Would you rather save money or time? Time, time, time, oh, precious time. I've given up the idea of saving any serious money, having one, two, or three kids in college per year for the last six years. Kid No. Four will be done in 2016! Introvert or extrovert? Extrovert! What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Chastity?? .... Just kidding. No one should ever underrate living a virtuous life. When and where were you happiest? Whenever I am with my family and friends, I am my happiest. What's your greatest achievement? My four children. What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Trust your intuitions throughout life--they will serve you well. What's the oddest thing you ever bought? An 1878 pump organ at our church silent auction. Nobody in my family plays, but it is a beautiful piece of furniture. What would be your ideal job? I'm living it. Funny joke: Having two shih tzus, I appreciate this one: What do you get when you cross a bulldog with a shih tzu? If you don't know the answer, ask Judge Connors, because he is the one who told me the joke. What is something most people don't know about you? I love to fish. What do you wish more people understood? It is so very important to be a good listener and to have a sense of humor throughout life. If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? Jesus, Mother Teresa, and Gandhi. Who is your favorite character of fiction? Atticus Finch. Favorite movie: One of my favorite movies is "Grand Canyon" with Steve Martin and Danny Glover. What's one thing you can do now that you couldn't do 20 years ago? Swim a mile in less than an hour. (That is simple endurance, not speed.) What is your motto? Live well, laugh often, love much. Where would you like to be when you're 90? Swimming in Lake Michigan off the beach of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore every day of the summer of 2046, surrounded by loving family and friends! Published: Thu, Feb 7, 2013

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