I am most thankful today for…my family and my health
When in need of a quick recharge I…do taekwondo
When I’m feeling stressed I…make a to-do list (or fold laundry)
When I can’t fall asleep I…read or listen to music
A period in my life when I really struggled was…deciding whether or not to leave my old law firm to start practicing family law
My preferred method of exercise is…taekwondo and boot camp
The most important thing in my life is…my husband and children
I am most productive during the day when I…get into the office really early (before the phones start ringing)
The best advice I’ve received about balancing work and life is…make time to fill your cup; we always pour out so much into our work (i.e. clients, deadlines, billable hours); if you don’t fill your cup with something you enjoy, you will eventually run out of anything to give
The one thing I would tell a stressed out and overwhelmed lawyer is…make a list; then tackle your list one thing at a time; tackle the small things first – it gives you momentum and a sense of accomplishment
During the week I wake up…between 4:30am and 6:00am
The best way to deal with a difficult colleague or opposing counsel is…kill them with kindness and professionalism; never sink to their level
The quickest way to ruin your career is…lose the trust and confidence of your colleagues and the court by being untruthful or unprofessional
The best piece of advice I ever received was…take advantage of the “slow” days at the office, because for every slow day, there will be a busy day to follow
My favorite hobbies are…dancing & reading
I keep my priorities straight by…being true to who I am and not focusing on who society thinks I should be
The most gratifying part about my job is…helping families through difficult times
I usually eat for breakfast…hardboiled eggs & almonds
The best way to promote health & wellness among lawyers is…to continue having the conversations
I am currently reading…Michael Connelly’s Lincoln Lawyer series
The happiest lawyers are those that…find balance
Traci Koster focuses her practice 100% on marital & family law matters at Nelson Law Group. She graduated magna cum laude from Stetson University College of Law in 2009. Prior to joining Nelson Law Group, Traci practiced general civil litigation for several years at a private Tampa law firm. She is active in the legal community, serving in her 6th year on the board of directors for Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and as the co-founder and co-chair of Tampa Bay Pro Bono Partners.