MBJ BREAKING THROUGH
WOMEN WHO rock MARY VANDENACK, MANAGING MEMBER OF VANDENACK WEAVER LLC
RENAISSANCE woman
MARY VANDENACK WEAVES LEGAL, WELLNESS, TECH, AND TEACHING PASSIONS
The Mary Vandenack that readers may know as the managing member of the law firm that bears her name, Vandenack Weaver LLC, is also the definition of “Renaissance woman.” “I was going to quit practicing law at one point to become a yoga and Pilates teacher,” Vandenack said. “I trained across the country from some amazing teachers.” In fact, the classical and contemporary Pilates enthusiast recalled wanting to go to New York City to train under the direct progeny of the Pilates, Joseph Pilates, the inventor of the physical fitness method. “Instead of leaving law to teach yoga, Pilates, meditation and mindfulness,” Vandenack continued, “the process of really grounding myself with these practices helped me rediscover my passion for practicing law and finding a way to do it that has filled my heart every day since I founded my own firm.” Diverse and colorful interests and proficiencies have characterized Vandenack’s life well before her legal career. “My initial college majors included psychology, social work and journalism,” Vandenack said. “Ultimately, I graduated with a business degree, but took a break between my original college efforts and finishing to train thoroughbred racehorses.”
The thoroughbred racehorse trainer also considered teaching humans. “The joy of how my career has evolved is that I get to incorporate all of my passions,” she said. “I work with people in a relational career. Most of my clients have been part of my life for the entirety of my career. Some were part of the life of my parents and brothers, as I ultimately chose the practice area my father worked in.” To that end, after graduating from law school, Vandenack decided against “big law” in favor of working at her tax lawyer father’s family firm. She recalled the words of Creighton University School of Law Professor Emeritus Richard Shugrue: “Think long and hard about making your decision. But, once you make it, never look back.” I followed his advice and am incredibly grateful for the decision I made.” Vandenack worked with her father daily during the last five years of his life. After he passed away, she and brother Joe continued to practice together, while brother Matt pursued the path that ultimately led to his career as a wealth strategist. “We were blessed to be busy but struggled to keep up with the workload and hiring,” she said. Joe would go in house to work for one of their clients, while she would
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