Q&A: Gina Arquilla DeBoni
Age: 36.
Family: She and her husband, Frank DeBoni, a lawyer at Nielsen, Zehe & Antas, have a 1-year-old daughter, Valentina.
Education: She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1997 and her law degree from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2002.
Profession: She is managing attorney of Romanucci & Blandin, who is responsible for the overall management and quality assurance of the firm's legal and compliance services within client engagements. She also carries a heavy caseload of personal-injury cases with matters that include traumatic personal-injury, medical malpractice, products liability, nursing home negligence, premises liability and construction injury cases.
1. Why did you become a lawyer?
Initially when I had gone to school, I had an interest in social work because I had a strong desire to help people. I had worked for the Department of Children and Family Services in Iowa and part of my job was going to court with the children on my caseload. I was doing this as an intern. I was really attracted to the judicial process and I felt like that was a good way to help people. While I'm not doing family law or child service-type law, I am in personal injury and I really feel like what we do here is help people. Our clients are really family to us. …
2. What do you like the most and the least about being a lawyer?
What I like the most about being a lawyer is I can make a meaningful difference. There is a tangible difference that I can see when I'm working a case.
There is very little that I dislike about being a lawyer. I believe our legal system is the best in the world but I feel it's still not perfect, in that regard it might be an area I like least. Sometimes we're prevented from giving true justice to those who are injured.
3. Give me an example of a recent case or matter that you've handled.
My position as managing attorney, while I work on the cases, I work more from a team perspective and I oversee the functions of the office. My role has shifted from being in the courtroom on a day-to-day basis to really overseeing the associates and overseeing the operation's systems and making this office run. One case that I'm particularly proud to be involved in is Zangara v. Advocate Christ Medical Center, which was originally dismissed because the trial court found the data surrounding the infection of the plaintiff we represent was protected by the Medical Studies Act. We appealed and the appellate court reversed, finding that the Medical Studies Act does not protect the data collected outside of review. Only the discussions and outcomes are protected. I'm proud to be involved in a case where we not only helped create law that has a direct benefit to our clients but also to the public good.
4. What advice do you have for new lawyers?
You need to be dedicated to what you are doing. I think it's important to always lead by example and lead as a team player. I think that is really recognized by the higher ups in whatever firm you are at. I think networking is so important for young lawyers on so many levels. If they've hung out their own shingle, it's important to generate new business. You learn a lot about the practice of law and civility of the practice by networking and learning from those before you.
5. What was your favorite childhood vacation?
Some of my best childhood memories were up in Minnesota at Camp Mishawaka. My family has been going there, my uncles went there as kids, the camp's been around there for 75 or 100 years. We go every year even still for family camping and I hope my daughter goes as a camper there too. …
6. Who has mentored you?
Tony Romanucci. Tony and I met in April 2004. I had just started my own firm with a partner and he took a chance on me and sent a lot of cases my way and really gave us our start. I have always looked to him because I thought he embodied what I thought it meant to be a great lawyer. Not only was he an amazing litigator in the courtroom, but he has compassion for all of our clients and for those around him. I think he displays what civility in the profession really means.
7. What inspires you?
On the top of my list is my daughter because she sees the world with such innocence and she's seeing things for the first time because she just turned 1. Everything is new to her and she has awe and wonder and it just gives me hope and promise for the future. …
8. What is your favorite Chicago restaurant?
I love 312 Chicago if I'm entertaining or referring lawyers, which is right down the street. If I'm going out with my husband I have two favorites. One is Rosewood in Rosemont and I love it because it's a throwback to how things were. It's an elegant dining experience. … I also love RoSal's, which is on Racine and Taylor, and it's in Little Italy. I know the valet person's name. I know all the servers' names. The owner always comes up and sits down and has a drink with you or a bite to eat. It's an intimate place and the food is out of this world.