BETHANY CURRIE

Resides: Marshalltown

Hometown: Three years in Iowa City, two years in Gilman while my dad was band director at the former Southeast Marshall County School District (SEMCO). I grew up in Chicago suburbs

FAMILY LIFE

Family: My husband is Mike Marquess and my kids are Lily, 10, and James, 7.

Pets: One dog and one cat.

Hobbies and interests: Travel, trivia, dance and anything Harry Potter-related. Our kids are named after Harry’s parents!

WORK

Occupation: Attorney at Peglow, O’Hare & See, PLC, Marshalltown.

What that means: I represent people in court in divorce and custody cases, adoptions, guardianships, estates, criminal cases, juvenile court (parents and children), and civil lawsuits. I also prepare tax returns, set up corporations and limited liability companies (LLC), write wills and other estate planning documents.

Tenure: 11 years. Previously, I clerked two years for a federal judge in Cedar Rapids.

FAVORITES

Books: The entire Harry Potter series by JK Rowling.

Foods: Catfish, crab or shrimp.

Movie: “Love Actually,” directed by Richard Curtis.

Sports: University of Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa Wild of American Hockey League and Arizona Coyotes of National Hockey League.

COMMUNITY

Best part of living here: Marshalltown is small enough to be involved in as many activities while making a real difference. It is a large enough to offer many opportunities.

Most influential people: My late grandfather was a well-respected judge in Central Illinois when I was young. He is the reason I decided to attend law school.

Local involvement: Trinity Lutheran Church member and former bell choir member; PEO Chapter MJ (I just finished my third term as President); YMCA-YWCA Joint Board of Governors; YWCA Board of Governors; Iowa State Bar Association Board of Governors; Marshall County Bar Association member; Animal Rescue League Board of Governors (past member); Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce “Contacts and Contracts” group (past member); Elim Children’s Center Board of Governors (past member); Iowa Kids Net Foster Care Recruitment Board (past member). I have volunteered to support my kids’ dance and Tee-ball activities.

Advice on life: Find something you’re passionate about and put your heart into it. Get involved in the community and be a part of the conversation to improve it — don’t just complain without trying to fix whatever you don’t like. Shop locally and support local businesses. Donate generously of your time or money to charities you feel strongly about, particularly local ones that give back.