Christine Costantino Seizes the Day and Takes the Cannoli

I can’t go a day without … getting woken up by my Labrador retriever, Bella!

If you were in my office, you’d wonder why … I don’t have soundproof walls. I’m not yelling, I’m Italian!

My colleagues would be surprised to know that … I was an agent for the NBA. I was interested in representing WNBA players when I first graduated from law school. I had a great time representing some players early in my career but loved Portland too much to relocate to New York or LA.

The quality I most like in a lawyer is … professionalism. We can disagree on the issues but we need to always maintain our professional demeanor and respect toward each other as attorneys and officers of the court.

My career high point (so far) has been … my service on the Oregon State Bar Board of Governors and now serving as president of the Oregon State Bar.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d … have tried to get on the LPGA tour. My excuse is that I was born 10 years too early.

When I win a case, I celebrate by … toasting with a Couture Cocktails “Straight Up Manhattan.” (Full disclosure: I own this company with my wife.)

I almost quit the law because … I did not feel fulfilled. I was practicing business litigation. I have been practicing as a family law attorney for the past 16 years and I am always fulfilled knowing I helped a client close a door on a very difficult time in their lives so they can make a fresh start on their next chapter.

The SCOTUS justice I’d most like to meet is … Justice Sotomayor. I read her autobiography and found her devotion to her family, her community and the rule of law inspiring.

I can do a pretty good impression of … Vladimir Putin. I studied Russian in college.

My real-life hero is … my mother, who died when I was 28 years old to cancer. She continues to influence my life in a very positive way.

On weekends I … pray for dry weather so I can play golf!

The talent I wish I had is … a good singing voice. I am a rock star in my car, but that’s as far as that goes.

My favorite meal is … always something Italian. I love to eat seasonally and use simple, fresh ingredients, which is so very Italian.

My favorite song lyric is … “Life is too short, so why waste precious time” by Pat Benatar. It was on my senior yearbook page and pretty much applies to my life today.

The movie line I quote most often is … “Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”

The three people I’d invite to dinner are … Marcella Hazan, my Italian grandmother and Ina Garten. We would all hang out in my kitchen.

If I had a time machine, I … would go back in time and interview Abraham Lincoln and ask if he approves of our current republic.