Jozwiak helps clients personally and professionally

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Business and family law may seem an odd combination of specialties, but it makes sense to Laurna Jozwiak.

“It’s an interesting mix,” the attorney at Fox O’Neill & Shannon SC, Milwaukee, said, “but it really allows me to get to know my business clients better since
I’m learning more about their lives when I’m able to handle their family law matters.”

Growing up, Jozwiak knew she wanted to be an attorney and she began working in the office of a law firm at age 19. While the attorneys she worked with early on were focused on litigation, Jozwiak said she wasn’t drawn to that area of law.

“While I like being in court, I didn’t want to be a 100 percent litigator,” she said. “I was more drawn to business law.”

Jozwiak went on to graduate from Marquette University Law School in 2009.

“I really enjoy what I do now and was surprised I enjoy family law work so much,” she added. “It’s interesting how different law school is and what it’s like to actually practice that specialty.”

Jozwiak said she enjoys trying to come up with creative solutions to help people solve their problems, whether business or personal.

“I get to know people and their risk tolerance,” she said of her split focus, “and that helps me determine what some possible solutions could be.”

Wisconsin Law Journal: What class did you like least in law school and why?

Laurna Jozwiak: Torts but only because I had it my first semester

WLJ: What career would you have pursued if you weren’t an attorney?

Jozwiak: Professor

WLJ: What song gets heavy rotation on your iPod?

Jozwiak: I don’t have an iPod, but I am addicted to listening to podcasts on my iPad. Some current favorites are RadioLab and This American Life.

WLJ: What was the first concert you attended?

Jozwiak: Embarrassing as it is, I believe it was the Backstreet Boys. I was in 8th grade and received the tickets as a gift from my friends.

WLJ: What app can’t you live without?

Jozwiak: My Barnes and Noble Nook app. It allows me to have access to so many books and magazines at one time.

WLJ: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Jozwiak: I wish that I had any dance skills. The women in my family all seem to be afflicted with an Elaine Benes-like ‘gift’ for dancing.

WLJ: What do you miss most from your childhood?

Jozwiak: Being able to live in the moment without overthinking

WLJ: If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Jozwiak: San Francisco, but only if there were no earthquakes

WLJ: What is your most favorite thing to do in Wisconsin?

Jozwiak: Barbecues or tailgating with family and friends. There is nothing better than good food and drinks, and enjoying the weather when we can.

WLJ: If you could have drinks with any person, who would it be?

Jozwiak: That’s a really hard question to answer. I’m really trying to become a better cook, so I’d love to have a drink and cook with Julia Child. I’m sure it would be a blast.