Jennifer G. Lurken
by Michael Krieger
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Born
: July 21, 1980; Lakefield, Minn.
Education: William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 2005; Hamline University, B.A., 2002
Employment: Larson • King, associate, 2005-present
Professional Associations: American Bar Association, DRI, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota Women Lawyers, Ramsey County Bar Association
Community Activities: Chrysalis Pro Bono Safety Project, Emma B. Howe-Northtown YMCA
Hobbies/Interests: Biking, softball, spending time with family, volleyball, weight lifting
Family: Husband, JJ
Larson • King, L.L.P.
: July 21, 1980; Lakefield, Minn.Education: William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 2005; Hamline University, B.A., 2002
Employment: Larson • King, associate, 2005-present
Professional Associations: American Bar Association, DRI, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota Women Lawyers, Ramsey County Bar Association
Community Activities: Chrysalis Pro Bono Safety Project, Emma B. Howe-Northtown YMCA
Hobbies/Interests: Biking, softball, spending time with family, volleyball, weight lifting
Family: Husband, JJ
Jennifer G. Lurken had no choice. She had to attend law school.
Back in the seventh or eighth grade, Lurken wanted to become either an attorney or an optometrist. Then her older brother chose optometry. “I couldn’t copy him,” she says.
It’s a joke, of course, but it’s not hard to imagine this bright young attorney building a successful career in virtually any profession.
Lurken, a third-year associate at Larson • King in St. Paul, says the law firm has been a good fit for her. She’s not someone who shrinks from hard work — or criticism, for that matter. “You have to be willing to do whatever kind of work to get your foot in the door,” she says.
Since Larson • King isn’t organized into rigid practice groups, Lurken has been able to sample a variety of legal disciplines, such as trademark, construction and employment law.
“I knew I wanted to litigate, and it’s nice being able to test it out,” she says.
When standing before an appellate court, “it’s about preparation and knowing the record,” Lurken says. “You have to be prepared for any question because you can’t just file a brief later.”
Lurken is actively involved with the New Lawyers Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association. Now in her second year as chairwoman of the section’s CLE Committee, Lurken has prepared several classes of interest to newer attorneys.
For example in February, Lurken assembled three law clerks — one from U.S. District Court and two from state courts — for a candid discussion on the common mistakes of inexperienced lawyers. The course also introduced the various standards of etiquette among court districts.
“New lawyers might not understand how different the counties are, so that gives them a good perspective,” Lurken says.
She also established a Wills for Heroes training program for the New Lawyers Section. The training prepares volunteer attorneys to give free estate-planning services for police and medical personnel in Minnesota.
And as a delegate to the American Bar Association, Lurken has been keeping busy with conferences and getting a taste for national politics.
Outside of bar association activities, Lurken works with Chrysalis to provide pro bono legal representation for battered women seeking protection orders. She’s also a volunteer fundraiser for her local YMCA.
Lurken’s involvement with Minnesota Women Lawyers, however, is a touch more personal. “It’s hard to find a lot of female mentors,” she says. “How do I show the firm that I’m putting in my time and still have time for a family?”
That need has become especially acute, since Lurken is expecting her first child in July.
“Our families are very excited for us,” she says. “My husband and I lead very active lifestyles, so I’m still getting used to the idea.”
