Discovery with Joan Foote Jenkins
The Houston family lawyer knows secrets, imitations and the accordion
Published in 2016 Texas Super Lawyers magazine
By Joan Foote Jenkins on September 6, 2016
My nickname is … Jo.
I can’t go a day without … chocolate.
My colleagues would be surprised to know that … I once played the accordion.
When I was a newbie lawyer I … had two children and a “night school” law degree.
The quality I most like in a lawyer is … pragmatism.
My pre-trial routine is … hard, hard work.
The lawyer I most admire is … Donn Fullenweider.
When I started, I wish I knew … anything! I had never been in a courtroom or law office before I was sworn in.
My career high point (so far) has been … earning the respect and friendship of Burta Rhoads Raborn—one if Texas’ finest women lawyers.
If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be … a psychologist.
The SCOTUS justice I’d like to meet is … Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The SCOTUS decision I’d overturn is … Citizens United.
A different practice area that intrigues me is … personal injury work—or what is left of it.
I can do a pretty good impersonation of … almost anyone. I am a great mimic.
My hero is … anyone who works for Doctors Without Borders.
On weekends I … am in Wimberley on the Blanco.
The talent I wish I had is … writing well enough to write fiction.
The most fascinating person I ever met is … Robert Duvall.
I get angry when … I encounter a bully.
My earliest memory is … a huge snake crawling across the living room of our home—circa 1950s.
My favorite song lyric is … any George Strait song—especially “Murder on Music Row.”
The three people I’d invite to dinner are … Charlie Rose, Michelle Obama and Kris Kristofferson.
I wish I had invented … the iPhone.
If I had a morning show, my co-host would be … Gayle King.
The last TV show I binge-watched was … Orange is the New Black.
Nothing cheers me up like … my grandsons.
If I won the lottery I’d … give half to Doctors Without Borders.
The most annoying thing about my job is … other lawyers—especially the lazy ones.
My worst previous job was … credit clerk for Montgomery Ward.
My favorite word is … not printable.
My least-favorite word is … not printable.
My guilty pleasure is … a secret.
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