S P E C I A L F E A T U R E M i k e H o o k e r – P h e l p s D u n b a r L L P
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Q : Can you tell us a little about your family ? I understand that you ’ re married , and you have a newborn ?
A : Yes , my husband and I welcomed our first child earlier this year . What a life-changing event , in every way imaginable . He ’ s the joy of my life .
Q : How does someone in your position achieve that work-life-balance that we all hear about ?
A : ( Laughs ) You don ’ t , especially when you have a newborn and you ’ re trying to balance everything . I do my best , but I ’ m frequently very tired .
Q : What do you do to relax or have fun when you ’ re away from the office ?
A : I still like to run . And I enjoy cycling — I ’ ve gotten into that more . I also listen to books on audible and podcasts .
Q : Are there any organizations that you are involved with or support ?
A : We ’ re active parishioners at our church . I ’ m on the Law Alumni Council for UF Law School , and I try to do things like teach at the school . I also frequently give talks at law schools around the country . To me , it ’ s important for the judiciary , when given the opportunity , to interact with law students and help them where I can . I had a lot of professors and judges who helped me , and I would like to pay it forward .
Q : Last question , what have you found to be the single most fulfilling aspect of your distinguished legal career so far ?
A : Hmmm … it ’ s a bit of a repetitive answer , but I truly enjoy what I consider to be the legal task of finding the correct answer . I like the process of judging . I also enjoy having law clerks and the opportunity to mentor them . I know how important the judges for whom I clerked were in shaping how I thought about the law and how I would then go on to practice as a lawyer . I try to instill that in my law clerks too . n
Author : Mike Hooker – Phelps Dunbar LLP
2 0 m a r - a p r 2 0 2 3 | H C B a L a W Y E r