In short time, Larson leaves her marks

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Wendy Larson makes big gains on short timelines.

She graduated from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, now known as Mitchell Hamline School of Law, in 2-1/2 years. Now, having spent less than three years as an associate counsel at Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance, she is already setting an example for lawyers to follow elsewhere.

Larson discovered her interest in the insurance field while working as a judicial clerk.

“The subjects of these cases were diverse – everything from car accidents, to slip and falls to product liability,” Larson said. “In addition, the insurance coverage aspect allowed me to use my research skills to the fullest.”

She eventually went into litigation and coverage at an insurance-defense firm and stayed working in that field for 16 years. The move to become in-house counsel came in 2016 when she joined Ameriprise.

Patrick Shine, general counsel and chief compliance officer at Ameriprise, said Larson has completed nearly 1,000 insurance-coverage opinions, revised policy language, set up a new subpoena-handling process for the company’s claims team, established a staff-counsel program and managed the company’s paralegal team — all in less than three years.

“Both the initial attorneys and paralegal hired for these positions are women,” Shine said. “Along with Ms. Larson, they are set to pave the way for a national team to represent the company in third-party litigation matters under Ms. Larson’s supervision.”

Larson said she loves the variety of her work, her research opportunities and her colleagues.

“I love the people that I work with at Ameriprise,” Larson said. “My leader opens up opportunities for me, and the company supports me in those endeavors. It’s a wonderful place to work.”

Larson thinks it’s indispensable to have a good mentor. She credited Mary Beth Callan, the only other female attorney at her early law firm, with setting the example she follows today. Larson advises women just starting their legal careers to find someone whom they can look up to and ask questions of.

“By helping other female attorneys, attorneys in general and co-workers to become the best they can be, it not only empowers them, but also helps the legal practice and our company to grow,” Larson said.