Minnesota Lawyer

Connie Lahn, recently elected to her fourth two-year term as managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg’s Minneapolis office, pursues leadership roles because she didn’t see many women leaders earlier in her career.

Lica Tomizuka, partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, has worked on several downtown Minneapolis projects, including negotiations related to new and existing skyways.

Attorney Jean Brandl loves her criminal law practice. Working to solve clients’ problems and continuing to learn keeps it “fresh and exciting.”

Marquis Tapplin’s previous career helped lead him to his calling as an associate in Taft’s finance practice group.

Lathrop GPM partner and mergers and acquisitions specialist Mark Williamson moved into business law after starting out as a litigator, representing companies in employment disputes and large commercial actions.

Mirella Ceja-Orozco’s experience as translator for family members motivated her to pursue the immigrants’ rights practice, now at the Ojala Barbour Law Firm.

Peter Doely values the wide-ranging issues in his construction and insurance coverage practice at Maslon and the Insurance Law Clinic that he co-teaches at the University of Minnesota Law School.

Patrick Finn, managing principal of Fish & Richardson’s Twin Cities office, says so much time and effort goes into obtaining patents that “you kind of see all of them as your children.”

Airelle Wagner balances her work as an associate at Lockridge Grindal Nauen with her service this year as president of the Minnesota American Indian Bar Association.

Steven Ryan, partner-in-charge of Taft’s Minneapolis office, said the “courage to change” was behind the decision to combine the former Briggs and Morgan with the Taft firm in the merger that took effect at the start of this year.