Lubinsky manages work and life’s ‘controlled chaos’

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Lori Lubinsky never guessed that her work choreographing dance routines for high school choirs would cross over to her legal practice.

In fact, there were probably a few things Lubinsky never fathomed about the law, until she became a lawyer.

“I never really knew what the practice of law was really about when I went into law school,” said Lubinsky, 36, of Madison. “I didn’t know what the day-to-day work of a lawyer was. I just knew I was interested in the law. Come to find out, the day-to-day practice of a lawyer is really fun.”

A 1997 graduate from the University of Wisconsin Law School, Lubinsky earned undergraduate degrees in sociology, and behavioral science and law.

Her love of the social sciences drew her law school and led to a career at Axley Brynelson LLP, where she is one of four female partners and does general litigation for everything from personal injury cases to employment disputes and construction projects gone wrong.

The long hours that led to Lubinsky’s partnership at age 30 have been challenging for her and her husband, Andrew Erlandson, also a lawyer. Together, the two have tried to maintain a work-life balance for their three children, ages 1, 4 and 6.

How do they do it? “The best answer is chaotic control,” Lubinsky said.

But occasional chaos is well-worth the rewards of working and being a mom.

“Working and being a mom is the best choice for me and my family. I know that I’m a better mom because I work,” she said.

Work has made the time she spends with her family that much more precious, Lubinsky said. Her career also has given her the ability to dedicate time and talents to groups like Big Brothers and Big Sisters; Lubinsky raises money for the group, and her husband takes on “little brothers.”

Professional achievements have made Lubinsky want to give back, which is why she has channeled a flair for teaching — a skill she honed choreographing those dance routines for high school choirs — by coordinating mock trial competitions for Madison-area students.

Lubinsky also hopes to continue mentoring women in the law.

“I’ve tried in my career to guide other young female attorneys to all their options,” she said. “They can do it. They can do it all. It’s a struggle, a challenge. I call it a chuggle — controlled chaos.”

Most days, Lubinsky feels like she’s keeping that chaos at bay.

“If at the end of the week, while making my 25-minute drive home from work, I can know I provided exceptional legal services to clients and balance all of the obligations I’ve got as a mom, meeting that balance, that’s success,” Lubinsky said.

— Jessica Stephen