Meet The Team: Lisa Rice
This installment of Meet the Team features Lisa M. Rice, a partner in Walsworth’s Orange County office and chair of the firm’s Life Sciences practice. She is also a member of the firm’s Steering Committee and marketing team.
Lisa is a Southern California native. She joined Walsworth in August 1997, two years after she was admitted to practice law, and has been with the firm ever since.
“I’ve been here for so long, and I’ve experienced so much through all these years,” she said. “The one thing I’ve consistently felt all this time is an authentic connection with the people here. As a young attorney, I felt that the partners, male and female alike, were very supportive of my life choices and professional goals because they valued me and my contribution. That sentiment holds true to this day. My partners share a genuine interest in promoting the greater good rather than what is best for the individual. That’s a rare quality these days. It is who we are and what we do – we support each other professionally and personally. I’m very proud and thankful to work with such a talented and amazing group of people. ”
What kind of music are you listening to right now?
I love all kinds of music. What I choose to listen to is really mood-dependent. I generally listen to classic rock, and my guilty pleasure is 80’s hairband music.
What is your favorite film or TV series?
One of my all-time favorite movies is “Somewhere in Time,” a romantic drama from the early 80’s starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. It’s a little cheesy but I love it.
My favorite TV series right now is definitely Yellowstone. Great acting, beautiful scenery, and no shortage of dysfunction, mayhem, and debauchery.
Favorite book?
A book that comes to mind is “Unbroken.” It’s a true story about Louis Zamperini, a World War II veteran and distance runner in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He was a bombardier in the Army Air Forces. His plane crashed in the Pacific and he drifted at sea on a raft for 47 days. He survived against incredible odds, only to be captured and sent to POW camps where he faced unspeakable brutalities. It’s an incredible and inspiring story of survival and resilience.
Do you have a favorite phrase or quote?
I love two quotes, both by the same person – St. Frances of Assisi:
“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received–only what you have given.”
Who is your mentor or the person you most admire?
I am fortunate to have had a number of really great mentors in my life, but the person I most admire would be my mother. My mother has certainly been the most impactful person in my life. She has supported and guided me in every way. She gave me all the tools I needed to succeed in life, and gave me the gift of confidence, to believe I could do whatever I set my mind to. She encouraged me to strive to be my best self in all situations and had unwavering faith in me. She is the perfect combination of strength, nurturing, determination, patience, kindness, and love. I couldn’t ask for a better mother, friend, teacher or role model.
If someone were to write a book about you what do you think the title should be?
“Never say never.” We all have our preconceived notions of what life should look like. And then life has its own plan. Sometimes the two align and often times they don’t. I’ve learned to be grateful for the good and bad because growth results from both. Most of all, trust that everything will work out as it is meant to.
How do you recharge your batteries?
Definitely working out. I do kickboxing and weight training. I have also practiced yoga for 25+ years. Staying physically active relieves stress, increases energy, and improves your ability to focus in chaotic situations.
I also recharge by spending time in nature – beach, mountains, I love it all.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
One of the best travel experiences I’ve had was probably the Greek islands. But in terms of life changing experiences, it would be Israel. I loved everything about it – the spiritual deep dive, the rich history and cultural experience, the people, the food, etc. It was incredible.
What was the last book you read?
The last book I read was “Losing, Learning and Loving” written by my friend Kelly Hudson, a former trainer on “The Biggest Loser.” It’s about achieving holistic wellness (mind, body, and soul). The book has a lot of practical tips for people to understand how the wellness of mind affects the wellness of body, and how wellness of body affects the wellness of soul.
I also read a book around the same time called “The Power in You” by Henry Fraser. When he was 17 years old, he had a bodysurfing accident. His spinal cord was crushed, and he was paralyzed from the shoulders down. Although he endured terrible pain and faced an incredibly difficult life, this young man chose to embrace it all. Now, he’s a successful “mouth artist.” He paints these beautiful pictures holding the brush in his mouth. And he’s a best-selling author. He really is a shining example of what it means to be grateful for what you have and making the most of it to live your best life.
How do you think diversity has impacted the culture at Walsworth and the firm’s level of service to clients?
Diversity and inclusion has always been an integral part of Walsworth’s culture and core values. A diverse team like we have at Walsworth – and I’m referring to diversity in all areas including gender, cultural background, age, etc. – results in a better pool of talent, greater innovation, more creative approaches to problem solving, and is a more accurate reflection of the clients we serve. This allows us to understand and design a better client experience, which leads to greater client satisfaction.