During the month of March, Strauss Troy is celebrating Women’s History Month by highlighting several of its female attorneys. We sat down with them to get their thoughts on important topics such as the importance of Women’s History Month, breaking down barriers faced by women in the industry, advice they’d give to other women in the field, and who inspires them.
Today we are highlighting Janet L. Houston. Jan is a Shareholder at Strauss Troy focusing her practice on Tax and Estate Planning in the Cincinnati office.
Q: What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
A: Women have come a long way in our pursuit of respect and equality in the workplace. Women’s History Month is a great opportunity to honor and celebrate those who have contributed to that progress.
Q: What has been the best part of your career at Strauss Troy?
A: I have had the honor and privilege of spending a significant portion of my career working with multiple generations of a wonderful extended family. I value the relationships I have built with them and the impact they have had on me personally and professionally. The broad range of expertise of my fellow attorneys at Strauss Troy has provided me with many resources to continue to serve the legal needs of these clients, as well as my other clients, even when those needs are outside my primary area of expertise.
Q: What advice would you give to women in your field?
A: You don’t have to know all the answers; you just have to know where to find them. Make the effort to develop a strong network both inside and outside your organization. Be a resource for others whenever you can and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Q: How are you breaking barriers faced by women in your field?
A: I am humbled when I look back at the barriers that women who came before me faced and overcame in the legal profession. I am inspired by how much positive change has occurred since I became an attorney over 30 years ago. Many people have contributed to my success and I try to pay it forward by being a resource to other women to help them continue to break barriers and be even more successful in their careers.
Q: Who is a woman that inspires you, and why?
A: My friend and former law partner, Elizabeth A. Horwitz. Elizabeth’s intelligence, creativity, strength and integrity helped me to become a better attorney and inspired me to be a better person. She is dearly missed by all those whose lives she touched.
To learn more about Jan and her practice group, visit her page here: https://www.strausstroy.com/attorneys/jan-houston/.