Hallie Still-Caris has taken on leadership roles in her community dating back to her days as student body president at Iowa State University. Today, she balances volunteering with raising a family and working as an attorney. The Scranton native moved to Des Moines in 1996 to join the Nyemaster, Goode, West, Hansell & O’Brien law firm, where she specializes in general corporate and business law. In November, the Women’s Chamber Alliance recognized her leadership and community service by naming her the 2005 recipient of the ATHENA Award for outstanding women’s leadership.

What attracted you to the legal profession?

I’m not really sure, because I don’t have any family members who are attorneys. In high school English class, I wrote a paper on women attorneys, and that interested me to read about these women who had contributed to their respective communities and society in general. But I’m not sure that was what specifically drew me into law. I’ve always been interested in politics, so one reason why I also wanted to go to law school was because of political aspirations.

Were you one of a handful of women in your class at law school?

There were actually quite a few women; probably about 30 to 40 percent were females.

Did you always intend to practice law?

I thought I would practice law, but I also thought it would serve as a springboard for other opportunities.

What was your first job out of college?

After I graduated from the University of Iowa, I started practicing law with Lane & Waterman, a private law firm in the Quad Cities. I was there for nine years. When my husband had an opportunity to move to Des Moines for his job, I joined the Nyemaster firm in 1996. I really enjoy Des Moines; plus it’s closer to Scranton. My mother still lives there on the family farm.

Have you always taken an active interest in your community?

Yes. I was the student body government president at Iowa State, and was very involved on campus. That didn’t continue as much at law school because I was studying and newly married. But when we moved to Davenport, I was involved in community activities there.

How do you get involved as a volunteer when you are new to town?

Originally, when we moved here, I thought it was going to be difficult to get involved in the community. But one day I noticed something in the church bulletin about the InterFaith Alliance of Iowa, and I knew from what I read about the organization that I supported its mission. I said something to one person about getting involved with the group, and before I knew it, I’d gone to a meeting and then I was on a board. If you really express an interest and are faithful in attending meetings and providing input, there is room for anyone who wants to get involved.

What groups do you support locally?

I am involved with United Way of Central Iowa as a board member and on its executive committee, I am on the board of trustees for Plymouth Congregational (United) Church (of Christ), and I will be starting a term on the Greater Des Moines Partnership board this month. My prior activities include the InterFaith Alliance of Iowa and the Herbert Hoover Library Association. I’m part of the neighborhood association and school-related activities with my kids.

How old are your children?

I have a 15-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter. They go to school in Des Moines. They’re both real involved in tennis, so we travel with them to tennis tournaments.

Is it a challenge to balance the demands of being an attorney with family and community involvement?

It can be difficult to balance the different roles. My husband is really supportive, and that makes a huge difference because we share a lot of the parental responsibilities. And my kids are little older now, too, so that helps with the balancing act because they can help out around the house. The Nyemaster firm is also supportive and really encourages community involvement. A lot of times, I’m attending meeting for these organizations during the workday, and people who don’t have the flexibility or support from the employer would have a more difficult time getting involved.

Do you have time for hobbies?

I don’t have a lot of hobbies. I like to read, and my husband and I like to go antique shopping and those types of things. I think of my interest in being involved in community organizations as a substitute for other hobbies or activities.

Do you find your volunteer work more rewarding than hobbies?

Yes, it’s rewarding, and I like the interaction with other folks who are board members or other volunteers. Certainly, every group that I’ve been a part of, I’ve felt strongly about their supporting their mission of what they’re trying to accomplish, so that makes you feel good about spending some time in support of the organization.

Are you still involved in politics today?

My husband and I are both active in politics, but I’m not doing anything in my career relating to that interest. He does lobbyist work through his job with MidAmerican Energy Co. I always thought that I might end up as a lobbyist, too, but I think he’s better suited for that type of work.

Is running for an elected office something that you would ever consider?

I don’t know. The older I get, the less interest that area holds. Right now, with having kids at home, I don’t think it would be possible to balance that now, but maybe when my children are older.