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Stacy Owen has her eye on New York City. Not for a legal job 鈥� she鈥檚 perfectly happy with her job as a litigator with the Portland law firm of Markowitz, Herbold, Glade & Mehlhaf.

Instead, Owen is eyeing the Big Apple for a chance to run in that city鈥檚 annual marathon.

鈥淩unning is one of the things I do for fun, in my spare time,鈥� she said.

She鈥檚 shared her passion for running with her co-workers at MHGM. In addition to serving as chairwoman of St. Andrew Legal Clinic鈥檚 Race for Justice, she recruited 58 people from the firm to join her in the 5K race.

鈥�(MHGM) will encourage people to participate in the race by paying for fees for employees and family,鈥� Owen said. 鈥淏ut we still have to work hard to get people to give up their time on a Saturday. I sent out lots of emails; I even did an email that included 鈥榠f you鈥檝e never run a 5K before, here鈥檚 a training schedule, from couch to 5K.鈥欌��

Owen honed her persuasive skills during 12 years in state government in Michigan. She eventually found her way to law school, earning a degree from Michigan State University College of Law.

鈥淚 envisioned I would continue to work in state government and use my law degree in some sort of state position,鈥� Owen said.

A friend, who worked at a law firm across from the Michigan state capitol building, had another plan in mind for Owen, however.

鈥淢y friend would give the partners updates on my status,鈥� Owen said. 鈥淚 had this advocate for me in the law firm; I actually received a request from them to send a resume.鈥�

Owen eventually moved to Oregon. She decided to bypass Salem and head for Portland, where she landed a position as a litigator with MHGM.

鈥淭here鈥檚 always something,鈥� Owen said. 鈥淭here are things I haven鈥檛 experienced yet, but every case, because of the facts or the twists and turns, is a whole new set of challenges.

鈥淵ou never know what鈥檚 going to happen.鈥�

Tell us something about yourself that might surprise most people.

The thought of running a full marathon (26 miles) seems perfectly reasonable to me. (I鈥檝e done two.)

What is the best part of being an attorney?

I enjoy working with people, learning their stories and helping to find solutions to problems.

What is the toughest part of being an attorney?

In order to do this job well, you need to commit a great deal of time.聽 It can be challenging to balance job responsibilities with other aspects of your life.

What is your idea of a perfect day?

I run 4 miles to work, twice a week. My running commute days are my most productive days in the office.

You鈥檝e been given a chance to spend part of your time as a superhero. Who are you and what is your super power?

I would have the power to fly.