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100% Club Spotlight
In Southern Minnesota law firms that have more than one woman are few and far between. Smaller firms hire one woman, and then stop. This was especially true over the past twenty years; it is just now beginning to change. Ruth Harvey and Sue Chambers were originally from different firms in Mankato that had 10 or more lawyers, but just one woman. Sue Chambers joined Robert Chesley and Herb Kroon in 1988. Ruth Harvey joined the firm in 1994. For the first time in over a decade of practicing law in a rural setting, Ruth and Sue discovered the joy of working with a woman partner. For the first time they were not so isolated in partner meetings, or in their negotiation styles, or in the way they felt it was important to practice law. Since that date they have enjoyed being a member of a 50/50-law firm—two male partners, two female partners. Ruth Harvey’s areas of concentration are worker’s compensation law and personal injury. Sue Chambers’ areas are employment law and family law. Their areas of practice complement each other, so they often assist a client together. “I find a client who comes to me because of a termination also has worker’s compensation issues, “ Sue Chambers said. “They are pleased when Ruth can meet with them to discuss their other problems. Many times they have asked for a woman lawyer, and I can guide them to Ruth, someone I know they will be comfortable with. I have come into her conferences as well, to talk about the employment issues.” The Chesley, Kroon, Chambers & Harvey Law Firm places a strong emphasis on “wholeness” while practicing law. They recognize the value of family and encourage staff and partners to make sure there is a balance between work and home. The staff for the firm now numbers 7 full time members, 2 part time assistants, and 2 associate attorneys. Many of the benefits of the firm focus on their emphasis of family. For example, in the summer, the firm closes at noon Friday to allow extra time with families. The firm also has a flexible schedule so staff can get to children’s school activities and doctor appointments. Recently the firm remodeled their offices, which are situated on the banks of Lake Dorothy in Mankato. Ruth and Sue asked for a conference room that was a little less masculine. The “fireplace’ conference room is now one of the most popular conference rooms, offering easy chairs in front of the fire and flowers on the end tables rather than a somewhat bare room with a standard conference table. “I call the fireplace conference room a victory for the distaff side,” Ruth Harvey said. “ We wanted a homey environment for at least one conference room, while the men considered residential a dirty word. My clients seem to love it.” The firm also has a large kitchen and break room for the staff. “We could have made that area into another conference room, but it is important to have a friendly environment to work in,” Sue stated. On nice days you can see many members of the firm walking around the lake over their lunch hour or breaks. The firm also offers to pay a part of a YMCA membership to employees. “We know exercise is important to help combat stress. We all participate in the “Shape Up Challenge” each year, which is a city-wide event,” Ruth commented. “The teams are usually the staff vs. the lawyers—a friendly competition. The losers take the winners out for ice cream—low fat, of course.” Sue serves as the President of their chapter of MWL and Ruth serves as the Treasurer. They look forward to networking with other members, who come from all over Southern Minnesota. More recently they have taken on a mentoring role to the new women lawyers in the area. “We each have over twenty years in practice. We have been the sole woman in a firm, we have had babies, and now we are balancing the challenges of menopause and lawyering. We have heard the sexist jokes and survived them. We can give hints on how to keep your sanity in this business,” Sue smiled. “The women we talk to recognize that our firm is something special, too. It is great to be a part of a firm where we are equal partners.”
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