Alysia Christiaen Would Definitely Be a Clinical Psychologist

Alysia Christiaen – The personal injury lawyer and partner answers some rapid-fire questions…

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be:

a clinical psychologist – I like helping people with their problems.

Best career advice I’ve gotten:

work hard to retire early.

The three qualities that got me where I am today:

a. empathy: I have a lot of it! Being empathic helps me to understand the difficulties and stresses that my clients are going through. It makes me strive to make sure their best interests are being advanced.

b. hard-working: My parents instilled in me the quality of a being a hard-worker. I was out pumping gas at the family marina in Turkey Point when I was 12 years old, and have had a job ever since. Hard work and long hours are not things I’m afraid to do for my clients.

c. team player: I would not be where I am today without the team I have working with me.

The easiest career decision I’ve ever made:

Working at Lerners LLP – the people here are the best to work with.

Favorite perk of the job:

Being able to leave work early on Fridays!

Worst pitfall of the job:

The hours can be long …. I am a friend of caffeine.

What does your career look like in 5 years?:

The exact same I hope!

Change you’d like to see in your industry?:

The accident benefits system in Ontario needs to be re-worked. Important coverage has been given up in exchange for alleged decreased auto insurance premiums. Most people do not realize that the basic accident benefits package is severely lacking in coverage for medical rehabilitation and attendant care.

Who do you admire and why?:

My grandfather, Louis Christiaen. He was an absolute rock star. He came from Belgium with virtually nothing, and was very entrepreneurial. He and my grandmother farmed tobacco before managing the Belgium Hall in Delhi. He then bought the marina in Turkey Point and turned it into the largest marina on the north shore of Lake Erie. He managed to do all this while being an example of integrity for his family.

What’s the last thing you binge-watched?:

Boardwalk Empire. I have a love for gangsters. When I was younger, I told my mom that I wanted to marry a mobster and I could be the lawyer for “the family”. Honestly.

What book left a lasting impression on you?:

To Kill A Mockingbird. It highlights that the legal profession is supposed to be noble. It reminds me a lot of how lawyers in the United States (and other countries around the world) came to arms for people who were stranded and impacted by Trump’s first travel ban.

What song would you want played at your funeral?

Work Shoes (the acoustic version) by USS (Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker) … it’s a beautiful song.

What should every Woman try once in his her lifetime?

Skydiving. I would never do it again, but it really was an amazing experience after I stopped screaming. The earth is so little and you have time while you’re up there to be impressed and think about how you’re just one little piece of everything going on down there.

Would live in a foreign country, where would it be?

Portugal – I love the food, wine and people.

If I could compete in an Olympic sport, I’d like it to be:

Women’s softball (but I’d have to wait until 2020 when it comes back!). I’ve been playing for years and love the sport. I do think my skill level however is more on par with my beer league than the Olympics.

Relationship advice to my younger self:

Go with the flow and stop analyzing things so much!