Diane Goffinet, 1992 Alum | Simmons Law School | SIU

Diane Goffinet, 1992 Alum

What does your life as a lawyer look like right now? Describe your current role and what a typical day or week involves (if there is such a thing!)

I am the Managing Attorney for the Southern Regional Office of Land of Lincoln Legal Aid. My office represents low-income clients in a variety of civil matters (housing issues, family cases/divorce, Orders of Protection, consumer, bankruptcy, public benefits cases, etc.) throughout the bottom 23 counties of the state. I have a staff of 12 attorneys (including me), 3 paralegals, 2 case workers, and 5 legal assistants. We are a grant funded program so as a manager I spend a good deal of time checking for compliance in the work that we do, running reports, evaluating staff performance, and general oversight. In addition, I represent clients in both adult and minor guardianship cases, family/divorce cases for survivors of domestic violence, and preparation of advanced directives for seniors. I also spend a good deal of time working with our attorneys on their cases, discussing strategies, court/judge differences, and how to get the best result for our clients. 

How did your career unfold after law school? Describe your journey, including the straight lines and any detours. 

I grew up in St. Louis and always assumed that I would go back to St. Louis to do some type of corporate law. However, during my second year of law school I married my husband, who was a Southern Illinois boy born and raised in Benton, IL, and who was an established attorney in the area. As graduation approached, I shifted to looking for work here instead of the city.  When heading into law school, I knew very little about what types of jobs an attorney can do with a law degree other than what I saw on television.  I certainly had never heard of being a law clerk for a judge or that you could have a career in legal aid. In my final semester at SIU, I decided to do an internship with the Judges at the Jackson County courthouse and that decision set me up for the rest of my life.  During my time there, I worked with Judge J. Phil Gilbert who, while I was there, was applying to be appointed as a Federal Judge by President Bush. Over my Spring Break I helped him with the research for the application and got to know him well in the process. Later that year, when he got the call that he was selected to be a District Court Judge for the Southern District of Illinois he called and stated that he wanted me to be his first law clerk.

Clerking for Judge Gilbert was an amazing experience for a young attorney. I learned from the inside out what is expected of you, how to handle yourself in Court, and what does and does not help win your case. It was truly an amazing two years. Upon completion of my two-year term, I had many more options presented to me, and I also knew a lot more about places I might want to work. Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, however, was hiring and the work they did appealed to me along with the family-friendly environment for which we are known.  I applied, was hired, and the rest is history!

Looking back on your time at Simmons Law School, what stands out?  What did you gain (academically, professionally, and/or personally) that you carry with you today? What experience, relationships, or lessons from law school has stayed with you?

My fondest memory of attending law school was the group of friends I formed almost on day one. We studied hard, played hard, and just enjoyed being in such a rigorous learning environment together. We “fought” for positions at the top of the class, but all in good fun.  But my fondest memories of a professor are the 5 classes that I was privileged to have with Professor Taylor Mattis. She was tough as nails, with an amazing Southern drawl, and was probably the smartest woman I have ever met. She was a true mentor to me, and I learned so much from her not just about Property and Future Interest, but about being the attorney I wanted to become.

What is something you are most proud of? This could be a case, a client, a project, or something outside the office entirely.

The thing I am the proudest of in my life is my family. I have been married for almost 36 years to an amazing man, and together, despite us both working as busy attorneys, we raised two wonderful boys. We went to all the sporting events, including years of travel soccer (I ran the soccer club for several of those years), all the plays and musicals, and other events. Jeff and I were both youth ministers for our church for 25+ years, being mentors to hundreds of teens and going on 17+ mission trips all over the country. So don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t have it all in this career – if you are in a place that you feel you can’t – change where you are standing.

What does your community mean to your practice? How does public service, pro bono work, or civic engagement factor into your professional life?

Community means everything. My entire career has been devoted to representing low-income people and I can’t imagine it being any other way. As I look toward my retirement later this year, I have had the opportunity to go through the things in my desk including the stacks of thank you notes and cards I have received from grateful clients who would have had a very difficult time facing the intricacies of the court system, if it were not for me. Also, I am known nationally for my work with the Medical-Legal Partnership movement, which brings together doctors and lawyers, to put away their natural animosity towards each other, to work together to solve legal issues to improve a patient/client’s health.  The Medical-Legal Partnership of Southern Illinois is my legacy, and I am very proud of that work. My career has been a blessing in my life, and I hope that in turn I have helped others.

What would you tell a current student? Share one piece of advice you wish someone had given you or something you’ve learned from your years of practice that you want current students to know.

Law school is great at teaching you to think like a lawyer, but to learn how to really practice law you need to get out into the legal community, find a place to work, do an internship, or volunteer, and get your hands dirty. Make sure the person you choose to work for is a good mentor who doesn’t just have you follow her/him around but explains why they are doing what they are doing and takes the time to give you constructive feedback on your work. Such mentorship is very important in forming the attorney you will become, and it just may land you a job after graduation! If you are looking for such a place – Land of Lincoln Legal Aid is a wonderful place to learn how to be a great attorney but with a good work/life balance.

Anything else you’d like to share?

No matter what area of law in which you practice don’t forget to do pro bono work! It really does make a difference, and it just might change your life. GO DAWGS!!