The work-life balance: Every professional knows the phrase, and every employee tries to find that harmonious level of give and take to somehow manage it all. For parents, this may be an even bigger challenge. But at the law firm of Carmody MacDonald, the support is there for employees to thrive in the courtroom, as well as at home. 

Imagine this life if you will: You are a senior in high school. You can throw a fastball 90-plus miles per hour. You are a starter on a very good basketball team. And you also happen to be one of the better quarterbacks in the Midwest.

Maxine Clark grew up in the decade of big dreams realized. Today, the Build-A-Bear Workshop founder is affectionately gazing back on the journey of her own realized dream.

MISSION: St. Louis County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) works to eliminate racial discrimination and ensure political, educational, social and economic equal rights for everyone. The nonprofit stands for the belief that people of all races, nationalities and faiths are created equal. 

The Champagne toasts and wedding cake may have passed, but there still is time for claiming whose is whose. Postnuptial agreements, the figurative younger sibling of the better-known prenuptial agreements, offer legal documentation of spousal understandings, should marital circumstances change in the future. But if you’re happily married, why bring attorneys into the picture?

“At 91 my mom is sweet, unassuming, loves the Lord and is still as pretty as ever! She still remembers when horse-drawn wagons delivered the milk and when the ‘Laclede Gas Man’ lit the streetlights each night. She is as inquisitive as a child and always makes sure to point out a perfectly blue sky, and then wonder what makes it so blue.”

The next time you think you’re too smart to be scammed out of money, consider the Ladue businessman who recently lost $3 million in a Jamaican lottery scam.

Kim Eberlein (Volunteer Leadership)

Story: Caleb has returned home, or rather what’s left of his home, following the conclusion of the Civil War. The Confederate soldier has been shot in the leg and is badly in need of surgery, but he resists the efforts of Simon, his former slave, to take him to the hospital in Richmond.

Mission: The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

In today’s high-tech world, there are even more ways for kids to communicate—and harass—their classmates. Not only at school, but via text message or on social media, there's evidence that students are increasingly bullied by their peers. This physical, verbal and electronic harassment has led to troubling consequences—victims can wrestle with depression, fear and anxiety, even to the point of committing suicide. And communities are left asking: Who is liable?

Show the library some love…The stunning $70-million restoration of the ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY’s Central Library is getting some international recognition: It’s been named as one of five finalists for Architizer’s A+ Library Award. Architizer, a leading architecture news website, has opened the voting to the public to determine the winner in the Popular Choice category. Voting runs through March 8, with the announcement of the winner expected on March 19.

Stephanie Barton Mitchell & Con Curran Coulter II

When facing an impending divorce, it can feel like you are drowning in a tumultuous sea surrounded by major decisions about the most important aspects of your life. The family law firm of Green Cordonnier & House aims to be a life jacket for you during that time, helping you protect what matters the most, says partner Margo Green. “It’s very important that the attorney you choose to guide you though that process understands the traumatic nature of the situation. You may not be able to see clearly at that moment, but with so many years of experience, we are confident that we can guide you in the right direction.”

A tough economic climate, an aging baby boomer population and the high prevalence of social-media use are predicted to create the biggest hurdles for local attorneys and their clients this year. 

Dr. SHARI COHEN opened her new practice at 555 N. New Ballas Road, in Creve Coeur. The practice shares office space with medical psychotherapist BRUCE SCHMIDT.

As a University of Missouri student, Amy Lorenz-Moser witnessed a devastating domestic violence episode where a man came in and “clobbered” a woman who worked at the school cafeteria. From that moment, Lorenz-Moser knew she wanted to become a personal injury lawyer. “I thought that it was an area where I could make a difference.”

When Mark Cusumano walks through the dining room of Kemoll’s, he often pauses under a portrait of his grandmother, Doris. Eighty-six years ago, Doris and Joe Kemoll opened a restaurant that would become one of St. Louis’ most renowned fine dining establishments, and Cusumano understands the importance of carrying on his grandparents’ legacy. “Whenever I walk by, I can’t help but think, How am I doing, Grandma?”

Some of life’s biggest moments—marriage, the birth of a child and retirement—are a time to celebrate. But local legal professionals say families should also remember that life-changing events mean changes in your life insurance coverage.

In today’s economy, the success of a business is far from guaranteed. We honor local companies and institutions who are celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2012.

A divorce can be one of life’s most difficult hurdles. And for men who often don’t share their emotions as openly as women, surviving the process can become overwhelming without a 'road map' for navigating the legal, financial and emotional issues that arise, says E.B. Gunn, New York Times best-selling author of The Gentleman’s Guide to the Nasty Divorce.

The youth served by Epworth Children and Family Services were tired of sitting in educational limbo each time they had to transfer high schools. For those in foster care, moves from one home and school district to another are not uncommon, but they meant waiting several weeks—and falling farther behind in classwork—while records were transferred. Those students decided to fight for a change, and with the help of Missouri State Representatives (and Epworth board members) Rick Stream and Jeanne Kirkton, Gov. Jay Nixon signed House Bill 1577 into law, expediting the transfer of high school records for foster care children. The moment, several years in the making, took place at Epworth, and its importance did not go unnoticed by CEO Kevin Drollinger. “One of the things we can do is empower youth and show them that they do have control of their environment and can have brighter futures. If they work within the system the right way and follow the path, they can move mountains.”

Be a part of goodwill and good cheer! LN’s Holiday Wish List Drive for NURSES FOR NEWBORNS continues through Monday, Dec. 24. The organization, which helps at-risk young mothers and their babies stay healthy, as well as offering other means support to their families, is experiencing even greater need this holiday season. Suggested donation items include boys’ and girls’ clothing (infant to size 8), toys (newborn to age 8), non-perishable food, diapers, infant formula, baby wipes and grocery/Walmart/Target gift cards. Collection boxes are available at our offices, 8811 Ladue Road (Ladue and 170), Suite D. For the complete Wish List, visit laduenews.com.

Emmy-nominated actors and real-life married couple, MICHAEL TUCKER and JILL EIKENBERRY, will return to St. Louis to headline a St. Louis Jewish Book Festival event this week. The former L.A. Law co-stars will appear Dec. 10 at the Jewish Community Center for a presentation, followed by an audience Q&A and book-signing. Tucker’s latest book, After Annie, is his first novel. He also authored I Never Forget a Meal, Family Meals and Living in a Foreign Language. For ticket information, call 442-3299 or visit stljewishbookfestival.org.

A three-story home in Clayton with 12 rooms, 6 bedrooms and 4 baths is listed for $1.25 million.