20 under 40: Danielle Hall
Danielle oversees the daily operations of the organization and works to ensure law students and practicing lawyers across the state of Kansas have access to resources to assist them in a variety of areas including mental health, substance abuse, methods to attain a healthy and sustainable practice, and implementing best business practices to serve clients.
Danielle serves on the board of the Women Attorneys Association of Topeka, the Kansas Women Attorneys Association and is a committee member for the National Institute for Well-Being in the Law. She has coached mock trials at Washburn University for the last decade and volunteers for the American Mock Trial Association. Danielle also spends her time helping provide opportunities to lead food drives for Harvesters, raising scholarship dollars for students and helping with several social justice and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Woman of Influence Distinguished Mentor given by Entrepreneurial & Minority Business Development of GO Topeka, Washburn School of Law Graduate of the Last Decade Award given by Washburn School of Law and Young Lawyer of the Year given by the Kansas Bar Association are all honors Danielle has under her name.
What has influenced you the most when it comes to how you approach your work?
During an opportunity I had to help provide some insight into the legal profession for a project I was working on, I got to travel and consult for another business. It may sound silly, but during that trip I noted a poster that was prominently placed at their office. One line read, “focus on the solutions, not the problem.” For whatever reason that line has stuck with me throughout the years. When there is a problem to be solved, I try hard to be part of the solution or to focus on finding a solution.
If you were a teacher for a day, which subject would you teach?
I would teach U.S. Government, because it is important for young people to receive a foundation in civics education to become informed and engaged citizens. It can empower them to take part in the public process and get involved in their communities.
What frustrates you about the world?
The inequalities in the world frustrate me. I also wish there was generally more kindness in the world.
What characteristics do you value most in your co-workers?
I value their resilience. Over the last year and a half, I have had to ask my team to completely change how we work and to innovate during the pandemic. They enthusiastically accepted change-overcoming challenges and never missing a beat-to ensure we were able to continue to provide services to our clients.
