An Interview with the Devil’s Advocate

On family, career, and her boss

She walks into the Starbucks wearing a tailored pantsuit. Her heels click on the floor, but not aggressively. Like the tap of a neighbor on your front door.

After getting an almond milk hazelnut latte, she joins me at the little table, sinking into the hard-backed chair gracefully.

Thank you so much for meeting me Ms. Donnelly.

Please, call me Norah.

Okay. Well I guess we can get right to business. How did you get into this line of work?

Oh, the usual. I was a smart kid and people started predicting I’d be a lawyer by the time I could tie my shoes. I was tempted to get into theater in college, but I knew I’d have a more comfortable life working in law.

Were your parents supportive of your career choices?

They definitely wanted me to go into law. They wanted that stability for me.

Actually, I guess I mean… What does your family think of your, um, current position?

They were concerned to say the least. At first I just said I was taking on a big client, just another name on my docket, but representing Him is a full-time job. And since I have to spend so much time in his neck of the woods, they…