Linda Holstein's career path has taken her from a suburban Minneapolis classroom to a downtown penthouse office with a commanding view of the Twin Cities.

Holstein taught high school English and theater before an avocational interest in politics led her to pursue the law, her profession for the last 28 years. In January 2006, she embarked on the latest chapter of her distinguished career: founding the law firm that bears her name.

Visiting the Holstein Law Group offices located atop a downtown Minneapolis commercial tower, one can't help noticing a feature that's most unusual for a law firm: the Client Kitchen.

"We want clients to be able to sit at our kitchen island and enjoy the view," she says. "Litigation is traumatic," she adds, and the stunning kitchen setting is designed to help clients feel a bit more comfortable as they contend with their legal problems.

Creating an inviting space for clients is just one small example of the firm's commitment that extends well beyond being remarkably competent in the law. "Client happiness is crucial to us," Holstein says. "Everything we do is centered on the companies and individuals we represent."

Holstein says having her name on the door also translates into more flexibility to achieve clients' objectives: "We don't have to run everything through a committee. We're able to implement creative approaches more quickly and efficiently, and find solutions that work well for our clients that's our passion and our purpose."

Regardless of the size or type of a Holstein Law Group case, one can be quite certain that at some point, it will be pondered at a kitchen countertop, in a unique law firm overlooking the city.