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Today's spotlight: Christopher Burns
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Age: 34
Titles: Attorney at Henson & Efron, a Minneapolis law firm; past chair and current board member of the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation (MAEF).
What have you done for the MAEF? After watching several board members resign at my first two meetings, I learned I would have to work with the remaining members to revive the nearly collapsing foundation. Within a few months, I took on the role as chair of the board and began leading MAEF on a difficult journey to become a successful, growing force for education in Minnesota.
Education: Bachelor's degree with academic honors from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls; law degree cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law.
Previous job: After graduating, I was unsure if I wanted to attend law school or pursue a master's degree. I took a position with Cargill's Nutrina Feed division hoping it would help me make my decision. After a week at corporate headquarters, Cargill sent me out to their Syracuse, N.Y., facility as an administrative manager. They moved their administrative managers around often and I didn't want to wait before furthering my education. I left Cargill, attended Syracuse University College of Law and returned to Minnesota after law school.
Why do you do what you do? I enjoy the creativity of helping people through difficult issues and developing and implementing solutions that leave the legacy a client wants to leave.
Most exciting part of the job: Aside from accountants, trusts and estate lawyers, most people don't find what I do all that interesting.
Family: Wife Shelli, 5-year-old daughter Julia, and 2-year-old son Brady.
Hobbies: Reading, writing, politics and spending time with my wife and children.
Something you'd rather do than go to work Monday morning: Surprise my family by not leaving at 5 a.m. and instead head to a water park.
Dream job: I gave a speech in ninth grade about becoming a politician, and wrote in an elementary yearbook that I wanted to be a millionaire businessman. Both of these childhood dreams are still things I think about. I often used to think about playing quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, but at 34, I have given up on this goal.
Advice to someone starting out in this career: Form a study group of eight to 10 peers who also practice law. Meet with them at least once a month. I have done this for almost seven years and I still learn something new at almost every study group meeting I attend.
AIMEE BLANCHETTE
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