Monday Profile: Carrie Leahy

Carrie Leahy concentrates her practice in corporate and business law, counseling established and emerging businesses on general corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, compliance with securities regulations, and issues involving venture capital funding, She has significant experience working with the University of Michigan's Technology Transfer Office and is part of a Bodman team that has represented more than one-third of the start-up and spin-off companies that have recently licensed technology from the University of Michigan. Leahy, a ''Rising Star'' in business/corporate law in "Michigan Super Lawyers 2012," serves on the board of trustees for Dawn Farm, on the board of directors of the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone Local Development Finance Authority, and on the Ann Arbor SPARK Business Law & Order Event Committee. By Jo Mathis Legal News Residence: Ann Arbor. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being on Siesta Key Beach at sunset with my family and an awesome glass of wine. What is your greatest fear? Losing one of my children. What is the trait you hate most in yourself? Being a worrier. What is the trait you hate most in others? Not listening, and talking over someone. If you suddenly had an extra room in your house, what would you do with it? A gym. Or I'd make the kids move all their toys into it so they aren't scattered about. Currently reading... "Gone Girl." My mother always told me...To always have snacks - just in case. When I lived in Chicago and would come home to visit, she'd send me back with granola bars and fruit for the drive, and once, a can of black beans. My husband (then fiancé) still gets a kick out of that one. My favorite item of clothing... A comfortable sweatshirt. What words or phrases do you overuse? At home--"dude." I hear my kids say it now. What was your most memorable meal? The 4 cheese gnocchi I had at Spiaggia in Chicago on my first wedding anniversary. What is your most treasured material possession? My Suunto running watch. I wear it for all of my workouts and am slightly obsessed with the data. It tells you when to rest, mileage, calories burned, target workout heart rates, etc. If you could do one thing professionally...Work on an IPO that actually goes forward. The ones I've worked on never actually went live. What are your favorite websites? For news, cnn.com; for laughs, dooce.com. If you could have any car in the world, what would you drive? I'm not a huge car person--but after driving SUV's and minivans for the last eight years to fit my fit kids and their gear, I'm looking forward to a sedan again someday. Where have you been that you will never return if you can help it? Disney World at spring break time--it was so crowded I cannot imagine I'll do that again. Favorite Ann Arbor area hang-outs: I'm a big fan of Mani Osteria and Isalita. What was your most embarrassing moment? One that comes to mind was when I was recently filling in as goalie for my indoor soccer team. I never play goalie and I picked up a ball that my teammates were yelling at me to kick--not pick up, because someone on my team had kicked it back to me--and the goalie is not supposed to pick it up then. But I picked it up--I swear I couldn't hear them over the beating of my heart. Your proudest moment(s) as a lawyer? I always love a closing for an M&A transaction, when the wires start and everyone's congratulating each other on getting there--that's my favorite time. What would surprise people about your job? How much typing is involved. When and where were you happiest? Vacation in Hawaii for two weeks. What's your greatest achievement: Most of the time I think I almost have a work-life balance! What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Put down the suntan oil. Do you have spiritual beliefs? Yes, but I need to brush up on the answers to my 8-year-old's questions about those beliefs. He asks good questions I can't always answer. What would be your ideal job? Spa-tester for Health, Shape, Self or some similar magazine! What one thing do you wish people knew about your work? We sometimes have to look up the answers. What one habit do you wish you could break? Being a worrier. What do you wish more people understood? Sometimes the best course is to just slow down. If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? Grandparents--to ask questions about family history that never seemed that interesting when I was 16. Who is your favorite character of fiction? Laura Ingalls from the "Little House on the Prairie" series. Favorite words: Nincompoop. Favorite movie: "The Breakfast Club." Or maybe the first " Star Wars." I could still watch those, any time. What's one thing you can do now that you couldn't do 20 years ago? Enjoy a glass of wine...this is only true for a few more months, though. I turn 41 in August. Favorite place to spend money: REI or Target. Where would you like to be when you're 90? In my house, near family, wherever that is. Published: Thu, Apr 18, 2013