Joplin native balances life with the ease of a conductor

A symphony contains movements that usher the listener through the piece. Gina Atteberry’s life is no different. She moves between her duties as a wife and mother of three boys (ages 3, 5 and 10), a community volunteer (serving on the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and with the Curtains Up! Joplin Concert Series) and a musician (she plays violin in the Springfield Symphony and is concert-master for the Missouri Southern State University/Joplin orchestra). She relies on the support of her husband, John, a music teacher at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School, and her parents, who serve as primary babysitters, to play her part. Atteberry is a judge for Joplin Tri-State Business’ 2007 Most Influential Women awards.

How does a music major become an attorney?

When I finished my undergraduate music performance degree (at the University of Missouri–Kansas City), I wanted to expand my focus to something completely unlike music. Growing up, my mother often told me she thought I’d make a good attorney because of my ability to argue about anything or nothing. Law seemed to be the obvious choice.

What are the majority of your cases about and which are the most satisfying?

Our firm has a general practice. My focus is in the areas of health law, business law/transactions and contract review/drafting. I’ve been at the firm for nine years and have narrowed my practice area to the types of law that I enjoy most. So I can honestly say it’s all satisfying. However, health care law is extremely interesting because the fact patterns change so rapidly and unexpectedly.

What are the top skills necessary in your profession? Surely listening is on the list, right?

I find myself sometimes answering my children’s questions and later wondering what answer I gave. Although I think multitasking is a necessary and useful skill, I also believe that multitasking is often the cause of not listening well. It is important to know when to stop doing two or more things at once and concentrate carefully on one issue. I think it will help avoid misunderstandings and save an enormous amount of time in the long run.

My most important skills are very common sense. There is no detail too small. Try to think of all the contingencies. Do not underestimate the importance of timeliness. Communicate well with everyone and always treat everyone with respect. Also, if in doubt, be quiet and listen very carefully.

What should a person look for when seeking legal representation?

It is important to know if the attorney routinely practices in that area of law. Equally important is a good rapport with the attorney. Meet in person with him or her. If you feel that you don’t connect for some reason, it may be best to keep looking. It is never a good idea to leave your legal problem with someone that you feel may not pay adequate attention to your legal needs. Check with friends and family to see if anyone has had a good or bad experience with the prospective attorney.

How do you manage the demands of family, work and music?

Each day is totally different, but one fairly typical scenario is that in the morning my husband and I round everyone up for their various activities. John takes the two older children to school with him and I take the 3-year old to his destination and I get to work. I leave work between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., depending upon the day. My husband is initially in charge of the children after school and sees that homework and practices for music lessons are started. If we have symphony rehearsal we have to make arrangements for dinner for the children and get them organized for the next morning before we leave town. On these nights I can often take my work with me in the car. If we don’t have symphony, we strive to find time to make dinner at home. Finally, when we get all of the child-related or work activities out of the way and my husband and I have an hour to relax, exercise or do both. However, there are so many other contingencies like after-hours work obligations, piano and cello lessons, church choir practice, quartet obligations, concerts, board meetings, doctor appointments, and all of that. It can be really wild.

So what do you do to unwind and relax?

Probably my most relaxing moments recently have been during vacations to Alaska or Italy where the Internet and cell phones were not as easily accessible. On a daily basis, I garden whenever I can find a spare minute. We exercise, which is vital to our sanity, when time permits. My husband and I also enjoy sitting on the deck and I enjoy cooking and lately the two older children have shown great interest in cooking as well.

Who has been a woman of influence in your life and why?

My mother has influenced and encouraged me to realize that I can balance being a wife and mother while maintaining a busy career and she continues to inspire and support me by serving as a sounding board, friend and dedicated babysitter. My fourth grade teacher influenced me to love education and to challenge myself, and I still use that inspiration to this day.

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