Sarah C. Whiting

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As a social worker with children facing delinquency or child in need of protection orders, Sarah C. Whiting says she did not feel she had the legal knowledge to advocate the way that she wanted for them.

That desire prompted her to go to law school, then practice family law. As an associate at Hanson & Hildebrand, her practice includes divorce, collaborative divorce, mediation, and guardian ad litem work. She finds developing her collaborative divorce practice very rewarding. But her focus remains on the children.

“The most rewarding work that I do is advocate for children who are in the middle of conflict,” Whiting says. “A close second would be my mediation work.”

She mediates custody and placement disputes for the Milwaukee County Family Court Mediation Services.

“I enjoy mediating those cases because, oftentimes, parents are able to put their children’s needs before their own and reach a resolution so that they can avoid putting their children in the middle of conflict in a court battle,” Whiting says.

What song is on heavy rotation on your iPod?

Any song by Wyclef Jean.

If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what would you have done?

I would have become an elephant keeper.

What was the worst U.S. Supreme Court opinion?

Bush v. Gore.

Who is your favorite fictional hero?

Anne of Green Gables.

What do you consider to be the most overrated virtue?

Temperance.

What is your favorite website and why?

Merriam-Webster because it has Jumble Jong.

What is the first concert you went to?

Moody Blues.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being on a beach, with a great book, a margarita, and no cell phone.

Which living person do you most admire?

My grandfather.

How many countries have you visited?
Which ones?

Four — Sweden, England, France, and Mexico.

Do you have any tattoos?

No (fear of needles).

What is your favorite pet?

My dog, Owen.