Please provide a description of your practice.

I work for a small firm that practices exclusively in Domestic Relations. I have worked for The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC since I was a second semester 1L, which was three years ago. We are an all female law firm and the practice is divided into approximately half litigation cases, where we represent parents/spouses, and half Guardian ad Litem, Child Representative, Mediation, and Parenting Coordinator cases, which are led by Erin Wilson. It has been very rewarding to be able to observe a different side of family law that is child-centric, as it has allowed me to take a different approach to some litigation cases in looking at things not only for the benefit of our clients but also for the benefit of the children involved as well.

Why are you a member of the WBAI?

I am a member of the WBAI because I believe that it is important for women in law to have connections to one another and the WBAI is a perfect resource for that. The WBAI has great opportunities to network and to meet other women from various practices and areas of law that I would not have connected with otherwise. I also think that the WBAI is exceptional at creating educational opportunities as well through panels with judges and other CLE opportunities with relevant and topics that are interesting as well. This past winter, I was able to assist on the Domestic Relations Committee and plan a Lady Lawyers Who Lunch/WBAI holiday party with other individuals from domestic relations and judges. It was great to be able to plan such a fun event, especially since I was able to plan it with Caidi Mammas Vanderporten who has co-counseled with our office before.

What do you think is the best way to empower women in law?

I believe that the best way to empower women in law is to be willing to openly share information and knowledge with one another. First, sharing legal knowledge and information and supporting each other allows for us all to succeed.  When we can bounce ideas off of each other, expand our knowledge bases, and improve on our skills by sharing drafting tips, arguments, and case law with one another, we all become better attorneys. Secondly, I believe that sharing experiences is important to empowering women as well. Specifically, experiences in the workplace, as this exchange could make a difference in someone realizing that behavior they are experiencing in the workplace is not appropriate or that better workplace environments exist. Protecting one another is another way to empower each other.

What are you most looking forward to in the following year, personally/professionally?

I was recently sworn in in November 2022, so I am very excited to grow professionally in my first year of practice by finally being able to attend court as an attorney instead of observing as a law clerk. Personally, I am excited to travel with my boyfriend, both to relax and for our friends’ weddings.

Tell us something interesting about you.

My entire life, until I was a freshman in college and took a chemistry class, I wanted to be a veterinarian. After one semester of chemistry, I switched to political science, ended up doing a 180 and going to law school instead. Now, I volunteer at PAWS Chicago and have a cat of my own so that my love for animals still has a big role in my day to day life.

Emily Ruwe was sworn in in November 2022, and works for The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC, an all-female law firm that practices exclusively in Domestic Relations.