Tenant of the month: Nicole Gorovsky from Gorovsky Law

• What is your profession and why did you choose it?

I am an attorney and I have my own law firm called Gorovsky Law, LLC, that I formed to represent victims of crime in civil lawsuits.  I decided to become an attorney when I was 12 – my parents said I came out of the womb arguing.  But seriously, two things happened to me when I was a child that made me want to do this work.  First, beginning when I was 5 years old, I was severely bullied in my neighborhood and at school.  I am from upstate New York and I happened to be the only Jewish kid in my little town.  So, parents and children there taunted and physically harmed me because I was different. It lasted until I was 13. Then, when I was 8 years old, my family’s home was robbed, and we were home when it happened.  We did not encounter the robber, but just the thought that a stranger was in my home while we were there terrified me. I didn’t want anyone else to ever feel scared in their own home or in their own skin.  I decided that it was my job to stand up for the bullied, the abused, the victimized. 
 

• How long have you owned your own business?

I have only owned my own business for 6 months, but I have been an attorney for a long time.  I was a prosecutor for ten years – first for the State of Missouri and then as an Assistant United States Attorney. Then, I worked for eight years in private practice with other firms representing crime victims in civil lawsuits.
 

• What inspired you to own your own business?

I want to try things my way. 
 

• What might someone be surprised to know about you?

I don’t know how to type.  I have written hundreds of legal briefs, motions and other documents, but I still hunt and peck with two fingers.  For me, it works.
 
 

• Do you have a hobby, play a sport, or have any special interests?

I love watching my son play soccer and I love spending time with my daughter. My husband’s not bad either. As a family we like to hike and try fun restaurants.
 

• What job would you be terrible at?

Anything where I wasn’t able to speak my mind.
 

• Who has impressed you most with what they’ve accomplished?

My parents.
 

• Where is the most interesting place you have visited?

I have two internationally adopted children – one from Guatemala and one from China.  My husband and I were able to visit each country during the adoptions and it was amazing!
 

• Do you have any advice based on your area of expertise?

If you work in a service profession or any profession where you work with people, I encourage you to be a little more trauma-informed which is really just a fancy way of saying to be empathetic.  Studies show that a huge percentage of people that you encounter every day are survivors of sexual violence, physical violence, neglect, or some other type of trauma.  Understanding this and being sensitive to it can help us understand people better, relate to them better, be more patient, and frankly, have more positive relationships everywhere.
 

• Who’s your go to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to?

I love the Beatles.  Who doesn’t?