Des Moines Mom Movers & Shakers is an annual series celebrating local moms who are thinking outside the box and making a difference in the community through the businesses they own, organizations they are involved in, and the work they do. Check out the rest of the series and read profiles from previous years here.
My name is Andrea McGinn. I’m a mid-thirties mother of 3, wife, sister, daughter, business owner, lawyer, dog mom, all the things! I have 2 boys, who are 8 and 6 and a 2 year old daughter.
I am co-founder, co-owner/partner of The Law Shop Iowa and The Law Shop Library. My business partner and I started our non-traditional law firm in 2017 with the goal of helping our clients, our colleagues and ourselves live our very best lives. It is my personal mission to help as many people as possible while experiencing the most joy as possible. To change the world one family at a time. I am obsessed with my work, my family and my health! If you need me, you’ll find me at my kids’ activities, with family or friends, or in the gym.
My husband, Nick, and I have been together for 16 years and married for 11. He’s my rock, my calm. He owns Advanced Plumbing in Pleasant Hill. The life of 2 business owners with 3 kids isn’t “easy” but it’s so beautiful.
What do you consider the biggest challenge of motherhood to be? Biggest joy?
The biggest challenge for me has been, as a very independent person, having these little humans who are so dependent on me. I am an enneagram 8 and a Leo – I like to do what I want, when I want and that’s often very challenging with young children.
I try to incorporate them in what I’m doing, or make time for myself to focus on ME, so I’m then able to give my all to them.
How long have you been an attorney? What makes The Law Shop Iowa unique?
I have been a licensed attorney for 10 years come September! I absolutely LOVE my work. The Law Shop is an unbundled legal services law firm – this means we offer customized services to fit the needs of the client. In many law offices you walk in and have to pay thousands of dollars and don’t know what exactly you’re getting OR you get nothing. At The Law Shop, we offer options. We will cater our representation to fit your legal matter, budget, desires, etc.
I practice exclusively in family and child welfare law, but we have many other attorneys at The Law Shop who cover many areas of law.
What’s the best part about being your own boss?
- Flexibility! And not being told what to do
- I am largely in charge of my time
- I also really don’t like being told what to do (see above for the Enneagram 8 thing), and I love empowering others.
What’s the hardest part about your job?
The emotional toll. When I go home to my children I’m often thinking about the kiddos in my cases. When I’m trying to sleep, I’ll think about legal arguments to make in my cases or how I can better help my clients.
I do a lot of child abuse and neglect cases, and those are the hardest, but also the most rewarding. The child welfare system needs reformed and improved, so trying to do all you can as an individual in a rather broken system can be exhausting some days.
What advice do you have for working moms?
Don’t do it all! It’s impossible. Get help. If your mom is willing to help with laundry, let her! If you have a relative or friend you trust who can watch your kiddos for a couple hours each Wednesday – let them!
We can have it all, but we can’t do it all!
Give yourself grace and be more selfish with your time – make time for yourself!
What do you wish you knew when you started practicing law?
The time management and emotional intelligence it would require, but also the profound impact a lawyer can have on a family.
What do you love about raising a family in Des Moines?
I grew up in central Iowa – cliché Iowa story – on a family farm. I love it here. I love the changing seasons, I love the “Iowa nice” people.
Quick Takes:
Favorite local restaurant
The Latin King
Best place to take kids
the bike trails!
Favorite summer activity
Getting ice cream as a family, watching baseball, heading to our family lake property in Missouri.
How/where do you relax?
Working out brings me peace. It grounds me and destresses me. I focus on strength training and recently joined Victress – a female focused strength training gym (check them out!)
If your life had a hashtag, what would it be?
#gritandgrace OR #beautifulchaos #shootforthemoon
Know a Des Moines mom we should feature? Let us know! Email [email protected] with details and we will be in touch.
