Breaking the Ice: Attorney promoted MSBA certification, then earned it

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Hellmuth & Johnson partner Ailana McIntosh pursued Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) certification as a specialist in real estate law after helping other attorneys learn about the benefits.

She had promoted certification a few years ago while on the communications committee of the MSBA’s Real Property Section.

Then she took on the challenge herself. The certification process included taking a written exam and providing references from judges and other lawyers.

“It felt like a refresher course in real estate education, because I was studying subcategories of real estate law that are not a part of my daily practice,” McIntosh said.

The effort paid off as McIntosh recently achieved certification as a real property law specialist.

Certification, she said, is “a remarkable way for attorneys to demonstrate their extensive experience and depth of expertise.”

McIntosh has extensive legal and business experience in transaction-related matters, including commercial and residential real estate, mergers and acquisitions and corporate work.

Name: Ailana McIntosh

Title: Partner, Hellmuth & Johnson

Education: B.A., sociology with emphasis on law, criminology and deviance; J.D., William Mitchell College of Law

Q: Best way to start a conversation with you?

A: I have so many varied interests, so you can bring up any topic, and I’ll find something of interest to chat about, and I like to learn about new things. But if you really want to get me yapping, talk about food, fitness, fashion or travel.

Q: Why law school?

A: My joking answer is that I am Asian, and so therefore my Asian parents said I had a couple of choices. I could be a lawyer, a doctor or an engineer. But the real answer is that I participated in a mentorship pilot program where I got to shadow a female criminal law attorney, and she made a great impact on me. I wanted to be a psychologist at the time. I had interest in the law and I had interest in business, so I think that the intersection of law and business kind of came together, and I use psychology in my negotiations. So, it all worked out.

Q: What are you reading?

A: I usually read fiction because I’m reading so much nonfiction during the day. I currently have a Ruth Bader Ginsburg book on my bedside table that I’d like to dive into.

Q: Pet peeve?

A: People that don’t follow through with their commitments.

Q: Best part of your work?

A: I love watching people grow their businesses and reach success. Helping clients solve complex problems to their advantage is often pretty satisfying too.

Q: Most challenging?

A: Probably when clients come to me about risky deals or endeavors that they want to engage in, and I provide them with a plan or sound advice on how to minimize the risk, and they decide, due to time, cost constraints or otherwise, not to follow that advice.

Q: Favorite activity away from work?

A: I love to cook. I love traveling. I like to ski and work out. Spending time outdoors and spending quality time with friends and family.

Q: Where would you take someone visiting your hometown?

A: Most people that come into town are in awe when they take a boat ride on Lake Minnetonka. So, if the weather is nice, I like to take visitors to do that.

Q: Legal figure you admire?

A: Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She was a powerhouse.

Q: Misconception about your work?

A: Most people, when they first learn that I’m an attorney, especially if they don’t work with attorneys very often, presume that all attorneys are litigation attorneys. So, sometimes I find myself educating people on the fact that attorneys do more than courtroom work. The other misconception is that it’s glamorous. It’s not. It’s a lot of time spent in front of a computer.

Q: Favorite book, movie or TV show about lawyers?

A: I’ve been watching “Suits,” with Meghan Markle, with my son. It’s fast-paced, even though it’s not super realistic. I like the characters, and I like Meghan Markle’s fashion in the show. Surprise, surprise!