2008 40 Under Forty: Kristina Vickstrom

Kristina R. Vickstrom

Age: 29

Title: Attorney (Solo Practitioner, Kristina R. Vickstrom, Attorney at Law)

Company location: Worcester

Residence: Worcester

Career highlights:

I am a solo practitioner in Worcester and my office is on State Street in downtown Worcester. I handle estate planning and elder law matters.

I decided to open my own practice after working for another firm where I often found myself in unfulfilling practice areas. Now I am able to find a nice balance between emotionally charged matters and they are almost always emotionally rewarding in the end.

Community involvement:

I currently sit on the board of directors for Striving Artists Theatre Company Inc. I enjoy volunteering for the arts because I get to be creative and assist in the whole performance arts process on many levels.

I also make it a point to take on a few pro bono cases each year so I can help economically challenged individuals and families access the legal system.

Biggest professional success:

I’d have to say that my biggest success professionally has been establishing a successful law practice before the age of 30.

Dream job:

I have always enjoyed theatre and acting and have always had interest in becoming a voiceover talent. It has been a lifelong dream to do a voiceover for a Disney villain.

Businessperson you admire most:

I look up to so many people because of the difference they’ve made in their little corner of the world. If I listed their names nobody would even know who they are, but they are the ones who inspire me and help me stay strong. I can’t honestly say that I admire Oprah, Donald Trump or some other giant business conglomerate. They don’t know the first thing about being a successful small business owner. And frankly that’s what I’m trying to be. I’m not going to change the world, but maybe I can change a few people’s “worlds.”

If you weren’t doing the job you’re doing now, what would you do?

I enjoy working with the elder population, and have worked in nursing homes in the past. Perhaps I would have made a great nurse! There’s just that little problem of being afraid of needles…

Favorite movie:

“The Wizard of Oz.”