Vivian Lee Thoreen

Teresa Wall-Cyb

2012-06-01 12:21:11 PM

Vivian Lee Thoreen, 36, partner

Holland & Knight

Thoreen has built a national reputation as an advocate against elder abuse. She has counseled clients in a handful of high-profile cases, including one where she stopped abusive family members from taking further advantage of actor Mickey Rooney. She empowered Rooney to seek and obtain a restraining order and conservator for his estate, and she filed an elder abuse lawsuit on his behalf. Publicity for this case brought widespread attention to the issue of elder abuse and influenced policy on a national level. Thoreen later testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging, where she endorsed legislation to further protect senior citizens against financial and other abuses. Within her firm, Thoreen earned recognition as one of five of Holland & Knight's Rising Stars in 2010. She also made partner earlier this year in her first year of eligibility.

Word that best describes you?

Determined.

Kind of law you would least like to practice?

Securities law.

Stress relief?

Spend time with my family and think about working out.

Most interesting place you've traveled?

South Korea — it was interesting because I'm Korean.

What you'd do if you could take a year off?

Travel to as many places as possible.

Guilty pleasure?

Spa treatments.

Favorite quote?

"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea." — Antoine de Saint Exupery