Emily D. Armstrong is an employment lawyer based in DuPage County, Illinois, and a member of the Arizona Employment Lawyers Association. She owns a successful law firm headquartered in the Grand Canyon State, though she currently handles her practice remotely from her Illinois home, where she lives happily with her young family.
Charitable work is a genuine passion for her, and she lends her support proudly to a range of nonprofit organizations and other good causes. Beyond her professional and philanthropic commitments, Emily is a proud mother of two who makes time, when her schedule allows, for hobbies such as tennis and travel.
Law Offices of Emily Armstrong, LLC
Armstrong leads operations at Law Offices of Emily Armstrong, LLC, a Phoenix, Arizona-based practice devoted to labor and employment litigation. She founded the firm in November 2015 and today directs it remotely from her home in DuPage County, Illinois.
The practice was formally incorporated in April 2016, with Armstrong continuing in the role of its leading agent and manager. Alongside her work as an agent, manager, and law firm owner, she keeps an active membership with the Arizona Employment Lawyers Association.
That association is a statewide specialty bar organization made up of attorneys who represent employees in work-related legal matters. It serves as the Arizona affiliate of NELA — the National Employment Lawyers Association — a nationwide body dedicated to supporting employment attorneys and advancing employee rights in the interest of justice and equality.
Matheson & Matheson, PLC
Alongside leading her own law office, Armstrong holds a concurrent position as of counsel to Matheson & Matheson, PLC. This accomplished employment law firm helps clients caught up in employment law disputes reach successful outcomes, acting for both management and employees at companies of every size.
Her focus at Matheson & Matheson, PLC is employment and labor litigation. The firm is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, while Armstrong contributes to its work remotely from her base in Illinois.
Milligan Lawless, P.C.
Between 2012 and 2015, Emily D. Armstrong held the position of associate attorney with Milligan Lawless, P.C. in Phoenix, Arizona. The boutique firm delivers strategic advice and counseling across areas that span business and corporate transactions, estate planning, litigation, and probate.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts with getting my boys ready for school. Breakfast, showers, backpacks, school lunch, and shuttling off to school. It’s a frenzy even though we have been doing it for many years now. Always a missing sock, glove, or homework assignment. And wouldn’t trade any minute.
After the chaos stops, I usually take a short break for myself before logging in to check emails and start my workday. I do not schedule calls until a few hours into the day, so I make sure I have plenty of time to prepare and catch up on any issues that need to be attended to.
Once calls and follow-up emails occur, I try to focus on the projects that are most time-sensitive.
The kids come home from school around 3, and then it is back to their many sports and activities, dinner, homework, and shuffling around.
I usually log in to work again around bedtime to clear up loose ends from the day, stay in contact with clients, and might have a little Netflix time to myself after everyone is asleep. It seems to work.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I brainstorm often. And am always thinking about the best way to handle things. My ideas get turned into legal arguments for my clients, and often are vetted through my colleagues, intense research, and devil’s advocate sessions with clients. If my idea stands the test, then you will find it in a brief of mine filed with the court.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I love the movement toward healthier living. It’s hard to be a career mom, and finding space, both mentally and physically, for myself is something that should be celebrated.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Sleep. That’s the most important thing for me.
What advice would you give your younger self?
There are many twists and turns in life. Expect the unexpected. And you really can’t plan for everything! Life has a way of showing you that in the most beautiful of ways.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Technology via facial recognition and identity verification. I love technology. But I also value my privacy. However, I understand Big Brother is always there. But it’s a little scary!
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Take a spa day, get a massage, or do some form of self-care. It is good to take a break.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Mental break. Take a walk. Turn off the technology for a while. It can be overwhelming.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Hard work. It’s simple. You must have a strong work ethic and also foster relationships with the individuals you encounter. Always be kind. You never know who you might need a favor or connection from.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I’ve had several tough superiors. But I ultimately learned that starting my own business was a way I could guide my own path. I learned from everyone I worked with and worked for. You can’t win every single case. And I try to give reasonable expectations to my clients as well in that regard. Litigation is unpredictable. But luckily, I have had much success thanks also to those who have worked with me.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Nothing comes to mind at the moment.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I have used AI legal research tools, but I am still old school and like to double (and triple!) check all sources.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?/
A dozen new water bottles for my two boys. They lose them all the time. Buy in bulk!
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Nothing comes to mind at the moment.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I like legal dramas. Law & Order: SVU, The Lincoln Lawyer, Suits, and any cliché legal drama.
Key learnings
- Hard work pays off. There are no shortcuts.
- Structuring your day around your family obligations, if possible, brings you joy.
- Take some time for yourself: it will pay dividends to everyone around you who relies on you as well.