Q&A with Amanda Zink
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Q&A
Q&A with Amanda Zink
Amanda Zink is a partner with the Chicago law firm of Lipe Lyons Murphy Nahrstadt & Pontikis, Ltd. An alumna of DePaul University College of Law, Zink has handled complex personal injury and wrongful death matters, construction litigation, premises liability, employer litigation, products liability, property damage, catastrophic fire loss claims, condominium disputes, and sexual abuse cases. Prior to joining Lipe Lyons, Zink spent more than a decade as in-house counsel for The Hartford, where she defended its insureds in both federal and state court.
A 2001 graduate of the University of Illinois, Zink is a member of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Events Committee. She is also active in The Advocates Society – The Association of Polish-American Attorneys. She has sung the U.S. national anthem and the Polish national anthem in Polish for every Advocates’ Officer Installation Ceremony since 2015.
Q: Before becoming an attorney, what was your first job?
A: My very first job as a teenager was as a sales clerk at Claire’s Boutique. I stocked merchandise, worked the cash register, and even pierced ears. After that, I worked retail for more than six years throughout high school and college.
Q: What motivated you to pursue a legal career?
A: From a young age, my mother told me to be a “doctor or a lawyer.” Not sure if that’s really motivation, but being an attorney was my goal from high school on.
Q: Who was your chief mentor and how did he or she influence your career?
A: I am the first in my family to attend college, let alone graduate from law school. However, my mother has always pushed and supported me. Her strength helped me work through law school, through grueling hours as an associate, and to finally make partner.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
A: “Make smart choices.”
Q: What is one thing you would like to learn to do?
A: I would like to play piano. I took lessons as a child but didn’t stick with it. Thankfully, my daughter loves it and plays beautifully, so I get to at least listen.
All smiles, Amanda Zink and her mom in a favorite photo from a fun night at a Harry Styles concert.
Q: What is your proudest career achievement?
A: I made partner at Lipe Lyons in 2019.
Q: What other career path might you have chosen?
A: I would have done well in a business or marketing role.
Q: What do you do to give back to your community?
A: My husband, Michael Zink, who is also an attorney, is extremely involved in our local community and parish. This gives us great opportunities to give back locally. Our family makes lunches for the homeless and dinners at the local shelter monthly.
Amanda in a selfie with her husband, Michael, also an attorney, at a fundraiser at DePaul Prep.
Amanda Zink
Q: What is your most treasured material possession?
A: My mother, daughter, and I have matching simple gold bracelets. I never take mine off.
Q: What is your favorite movie and book?
A: My favorite movie is “Spaceballs.” My favorite book is “Poor Man’s Fight” by Elliot Kay.
Q: What is the most awe-inspiring place you have visited?
A: The top of the “hill” in the backyard at my grandparents’ home in Tennessee. Keep in mind it’s a six-acre lot in the country.
Q: What are your favorite leisure time pursuits?
A: I read around one book a week. I also crochet and spend a lot of time at my daughter’s softball games. I was in an a capella group in college, The University of Illinois Rip Chords, and I love to sing.
In a fun photo, Michael strikes a pose with the couple’s daughter, Emaline, who did her best to inject some levity into the photo op.
Q: What is your favorite famous or inspirational quote?
A: “Well behaved women seldom make history.” - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Q: Who is on your guest list for the ideal dinner party?
A: I’ve never through about it; but would invite Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln, and my husband. Michael would be thrilled and would geek out so much it would be a hilarious week-long dinner.
Q: What are the top three items on your bucket list?
A: See the pyramids in Egypt. Get custom boots and jeans made in Nashville with my mother and daughter. See the Cubs play in every park in the MLB.