By: MaryBeth Matzek, Special to the Wisconsin Law Journal//September 26, 2014//
By: MaryBeth Matzek, Special to the Wisconsin Law Journal//September 26, 2014//
While working in collections, Sarah Ponath was fascinated by her co-workers who were attorneys.
So almost 20 years after she started working in collections, Ponath started the part-time degree program at Marquette University Law School. For the first three years, she went to school at night and worked during the day. It was challenging, but Ponath said she knew she was working toward her dream.
During her fourth year of school, she attended law school full-time and also had a clerkship. After graduation, she joined a law firm in Waukesha, where she worked for four years while also serving as an assistant municipal prosecutor for two different Waukesha County communities.
Clearly no stranger to hard work and juggling dual roles, Ponath this year decided to open her own law office in Butler. She handles business transactions, civil litigation, debt collection and subrogation.
“I have a variety of small business clients so I work on contracts and also some collections work that’s related to my previous experience,” she said. “Since many of the people I work with are landlords, I do some evictions but then also do some family law work, such as estate planning.”
Ponath admitted running her own firm is a bit hectic, but she enjoys it.
“When you own your own business you wear a lot of hats,” she said, “but I feel very comfortable with the career change and think that the law is a great fit for me.”
Wisconsin Law Journal: What career path would you have taken if you hadn’t become an attorney?
Sarah Ponath: I probably would have pursued a master’s degree in economics and worked in academia.
WLJ: What was the first concert you attended?
Ponath: Adam Ant
WLJ: What was the last book that you read?
Ponath: “Catcher in the Wry” by Bob Uecker
WLJ: If you could have drinks with anyone, who would it be?
Ponath: Jonathan Lucroy of the Milwaukee Brewers
WLJ: If you could change on thing about yourself, what would it be?
Ponath: Get more sleep on a regular basis.
WLJ: If you could choose one super power, what would it be?
Ponath: Being able to fly.