From my academic, professional and personal experiences, I understand the tension that often occurs in striving to excel in your professional life while trying to achieve and balance a fulfilling, passionate life outside the office. My undergraduate degree is in history from Cal Berkeley ('82). Following college, I was honored to serve as an Assembly Fellow, then Legislative Aide, to Gray Davis. I also earned my law degree at Boalt Hall at Berkeley ('88 Go Bears!). For five years (and one fun summer), I was an associate in the Los Angeles office of one of the oldest and largest firms in the country, Sidley Austin, LLP. I then returned to Sacramento, where I grew up, and spent almost two years at the former Graham & James firm. From there I went in-house to the General Counsel position. I enjoyed literally working "in-house" as I mostly tele-commuted from my home office.