Q: Can you share with our audience, the types of law you specialize in?
JS: I specialize in representing employees in all aspects of employment law: from discrimination litigation to severance negotiations. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue a career as an Attorney?
JS: Law is a great field for women. However, there are many aspects of the profession that make it difficult at times for anyone who has caregiving responsibilities. I would advise women interested in this field to work hard, stick with it even during the tough times, and develop a strong support system of other women lawyers who understand the unique pressures and demands of the profession and can help sustain you during the tough times.

Q: Were there moments in your career that were pivotal to getting where you are today?
JS: Yes. My decision to leave my prior firm and start my own law firm was probably the scariest but best decision I made. It was not only the decision to become a business owner, but the choice to partner with my current partners that were two of the best decisions of my life. 

Q: What are the best practices you have employed to build a successful career? 
JS: I realized fairly early on in my law practice that while you need a certain high level of intelligence and aptitude for the law to be successful, the MOST successful lawyers were the people who worked the hardest, had excellent time management and organizational skills, and had good people skills. I have always cultivated habits that fall within those three pillars: hard work, organization, and relationships. Reputation and integrity are the most important assets that lawyers have. Always treat people the way you would want to be treated and never sacrifice your integrity for anyone or any cause.

Q: What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today? 
JS: I think lots of women have imposter syndrome. I spent many years with a fear of failure and anxiety about many of the most stressful aspects of the job. Only recently have I really accepted that I am good at what I do. Getting past that has helped me enjoy my career more – although that anxiety and fear are important drivers of excellence! So, I wouldn’t trade them. They helped me get to where I am today. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
JS: Work hard. Have a great attitude. Relationships are so important. Spend the time to cultivate them and keep them. Say yes to (almost) everything. And then – once you’ve arrived to where you want to be – learn how and when to say “no.” 

Q: After high school, where did you feel your career path would take you? 
JS: I graduated high school wanting to be a journalist. I love the news and politics and love to write. I majored in both journalism and political science in college, but my work on the college newspaper helped me see that I loved editorial writing more than covering the news. By the time I graduated college, I wanted to be an advocate, not a reporter. Law school seemed like the natural next step.

Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?
JS: Exercise has always been my main way of managing the stress of work. I used to run marathons when I was younger, but now do a lot of yoga and biking. It helps me a lot. I also re-arranged my life when I had kids: I moved from Chicago back to Michigan so that I would have the help and support of my parents when I became a parent. My parents and my husband have all been very involved care-givers and particularly when my kids were young I don’t know that I could have managed everything without their involvement and support. 

Five Things About Attorney Jennifer Salvatore

1. What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time? 
Spend time with my kids. Travel. 

2. Among your friends, for what are you best known? 
One of my friends one time got me a mug that read: “Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility.” That’s maybe not what I’d like to be known for, but there are worse things than your friends viewing you as responsible. 

3. Do you read reviews, or just go with your gut? 
I tend to go with my gut, but my husband is all about the reviews, so I’ve learned to do my homework as well. 

4. What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play? 
Soccer. Soccer. Soccer. I played it and both of my kids play it. 

5. Have you ever met anyone famous? Who? 
When I was in eighth grade I met Pope John Paul II. We were in Rome on vacation and happened to be at the Vatican as tourists on Good Friday. I was picked as one of thirteen people at random to go to confession with the Pope. It was a scary thing for a 14 year old, but memorable!