Monday Profile: Erika McNamara

Erika McNamara is a lifelong resident of Whitmore Lake, where her family has lived for three generations. She earned her undergraduate degree from Oakland University and her MBA at Eastern Michigan University before going on to Thomas M. Cooley Law school for her JD. While at Cooley, she was awarded the Thomas M Cooley Leadership Achievement Award by a combination of leadership positions and a vote of her fellow students. She also received a certificate of graduation from the Tian Jin Foreign Studies University in Tian Jin, China. McNamara lived and worked in China for five years, including at a Beijing Chinese Law Firm), and speaks, reads, and writes Mandarin Chinese. Her growing general practice law firm in Whitmore Lake, Erika McNamara Law, focuses on estate planning and business law. By Jo Mathis Legal News What is your idea of perfect happiness? An end to all types of conflict. So many of my daily experiences and work revolves around basic conflicts among individuals that may easily be resolved if individuals would take a deep breath and a step back. What is your greatest fear? Zombie apocalypse. What is the trait you hate most in yourself? I have a habit of putting things off I do not like to do until the last possible second. Which in the end only increases my stress level What is the trait you hate most in others? Individuals who do not follow through with what they say they are going to do. If you say you are going to do something then do it! If you suddenly had an extra room in your house, what would you do with it? Turn it into a conservatory, with a ton of exotic plants. What are your favorite websites? Escapegames24.com, avvo.com, pintrest.com, and espn.com. It's 7 a.m. Monday. How are you feeling? Excited. At this point I have already been up for two hours. I enjoy the calm of the early morning and the excitement of what, may come in the day and week. It is one of the best mysteries. What would surprise people about your job? That it is not anything like lawyer TV shows! My job directly addresses real life drama and issues, with real life gritty emotions. Would you rather save money or time? Time, hands down! Time is elusive. Introvert or extrovert? I like to believe that I am an out going introvert. Many times I must force myself to go out and network, but once I arrive at the event I become energized! When and where were you happiest? Although sometimes it is difficult, I strive to make everyday the best day ever. So it is difficult to pinpoint one specific event. What's your greatest achievement: I work very hard to be a good sister, daughter, and friend. What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Hang in there. The best is yet to come. What's the oddest thing you ever bought? l like to buy those little toys from the machines at grocery stores. I have a whole collection! If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? Thomas Jefferson, Antonin Scalia, and my sister --and hope for the best! Maybe settle a few matters through arm wrestling. Who is your favorite character of fiction? The Count of Monte Cristo. I have read this many times and never tire of him or the story. Favorite movie: Star Wars III - V. Favorite place to spend money: Any food specialty store. DSW and Ulta come in close seconds. Published: Mon, Jul 9, 2012