Kelsey Funes has been at Phelps Dunbar for 10 years and a partner for three, working primarily with clients involved in the construction industry. She knew she wanted to be a lawyer by the time she got to college, and says her young self wouldn’t be surprised by her early success.
“Looking back, I didn’t realize how difficult it could be,” she says. “Maybe I didn’t know enough to know my expectations were a little unreal.”
It probably helps that she actually likes her job, unlike many attorneys who are only in it for a fat paycheck. But working in the corporate world doesn’t give her the opportunity to explore her altruistic side, so she does that on her own time.
The charity commanding the most of her time lately is Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area, an emotional cause for her since her grandmother had the disease. Funes is on the board of directors, and helps out with everything from legal advice to setting up tents for fundraising walks. The group just opened what Funes calls a “respite center,” where people with the disease can be taken care of for a few hours so their caregivers can have a break.
The Arabi native says Baton Rouge offers her interesting, big-city caliber work while allowing her to stay close to family in a place where it’s relatively easy to get around. She wishes there was as much to do here as in New Orleans, and says she’d love to see a downtown here where all the buildings are full, but says Baton Rouge has made significant progress over the last 10 years.
“It’s an exciting time to live in Baton Rouge and work downtown,” Funes says.
What is the best advice you ever received?
“In high school, my student council teacher said when I’m addressing a group, I should use ‘we’ not ‘you.’ When you’re a leader, you have to make yourself part of the group.”
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