Quarles attorney moving ahead on the business side of law

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By Jessica Stephen

Tonya Vachirasomboon’s entrepreneurial spirit keeps her on her toes.

Though she initially thought she’d use it to open a dance studio, Vachirasomboon instead went to law school and now helps others achieve their unique business goals.

“I’m in love with the entrepreneurial spirit,” explained Vachirasomboon, who joined Quarles & Brady’s corporate services group as an associate in September.

A business law class in college reinforced that passion, she said, and opened her eyes to how lawyers can help others realize their business dreams. For Vachirasomboon, that work started in Indiana in 2008, when she joined a firm helping companies with mergers and acquisitions in the early days of the recession.

“It was definitely a challenge being able to get training during the slow economy,” she said.

To fill gaps and develop her skills, Vachirasomboon turned to pro bono work and other volunteer opportunities within her firm, including answering legal questions through programs such as Ask-A-Lawyer.

A serendipitous meeting with an attorney from Quarles & Brady – and her fiancé’s move here to work with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra — led Vachirasomboon to join the firm in Milwaukee, where she continues work with mergers and acquisitions, as well as private equity and venture capital transactions.

Although she has no plans to start her own firm, Vachirasomboon hasn’t abandoned her entrepreneurial spirit. During her time in Indiana she offered weekly yoga classes for colleagues and taught yoga for health care workers and people dealing with HIV and AIDS. She has thought about teaching in Milwaukee, as well, she said.

For now, pro bono work seems a likely outlet for those energies. Since coming to Milwaukee in August, Vachirasomboon has worked with a domestic violence clinic and she plans to work on guardianship cases, as well.

Wisconsin Law Journal: What do you consider your biggest achievement, so far? Why?

Tonya Vachirasomboon: Personally, my biggest achievement was traveling to Thailand to help celebrate my grandmother’s 100th birthday. Since family is very important to me, it was a meaningful accomplishment. Professionally, I would say being hired by one of the top law firms in the United States, Quarles & Brady. It is a tremendous honor to be working with such distinguished, diligent and collegial lawyers and professionals.

WLJ: What is the best part of being an attorney?

Vachirasomboon: I enjoy helping others solve problems and issues and often learn new things in the process. I am thankful to be working in a field where I am constantly learning and growing.

WLJ: What can you spend hours doing that’s not law-related?

Vachirasomboon: Spending time with my family, exploring new cities, hiking and going on foodie adventures.

WLJ: What trait do you most like in others?

Vachirasomboon: Honesty.

WLJ: What do you consider to be the most overrated virtue?

Vachirasomboon: That is a difficult question, but if I had to pick one it would have to be temperance. Once in a while, I think it is healthy to pamper yourself.

WLJ: What was your least favorite course in law school? Why?

Vachirasomboon: Criminal law was probably my least favorite. I found the cases disturbing to read. I have tremendous respect for attorneys who make this their livelihood, but I realized very quickly that business law was a better fit for me.

WLJ: What was your most useful course in law school? Why?

Vachirasomboon: Mergers and acquisitions. It piqued my interest and, ultimately, became my field of choice. I also greatly enjoyed learning about new ventures and how we as attorneys can help facilitate the growth of ideas.

WLJ: If you could develop one CLE course for credit, what would it be about?

Vachirasomboon: Yoga for Lawyers. The legal field can be very fast-paced and stressful. I became a certified yoga instructor during law school, and I think the legal community could really benefit from using yoga as a tool for stress relief, better health and work-life balance.

WLJ: Which famous person would most like to have a drink with? What would you drink?

Vachirasomboon: I would want to have a drink with the Dalai Lama, and I would probably drink green tea.

WLJ: What is your greatest fear?

Vachirasomboon: Venomous jellyfish.