Attorney Molly Sharma, 39, of Oak Park has joined attorneys Janet Boyle and Joy Feinberg, along with attorney Candace Meyers, to form a new divorce and family law firm, Boyle Feinberg Sharma. The firm has offices in Chicago and Arlington Heights. Sharma answered some questions for the Oak Leaves on Jan. 16.
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Q: How did you come to join Boyle and Feinberg?
A: When I started the practice of family law back in 2004, I became an associate at a firm, which later became Mandel, Lipton, Roseborough and Sharma. I worked closely with Kathleen Roseborough, and I gradually took over her practice and gradually took over her firm. I got to interact with Janet and Joy on both sides of cases. They’re both a bit older than me, and I had a mentoring relationship with Joy. At this point in my career, it made sense to merge. I had grown my own practice a lot. It’s been fabulous. … I think all three of us are very hands-on with our clients.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about this area of law?
A: This is unlike a lot of practices of law. … It takes both legal skills and emotional skills to represent these clients. I get to see them as they progress with their lives. It’s wonderful to see that transition. The way we practice is our clients sometimes have a therapist and, many times, we work in tandem with a therapist, to prepare a client for a certain step in the process.
Q: You’ve been in Oak Park 19 years. What’s the hidden gem of Oak Park or River Forest?
A: I think there is a huge sense of community in our village, I really do. My daughter’s in college now, but … through the schools, I got to know so many parents. So many parents are willing to step in and help. Those Little Free Libraries all over town show a real sense of community. I appreciate the diverse community. My daughter is biracial, and there are so many kids with different backgrounds.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.