How many lawyers do you know who have studied at Julliard? And also who have the ambition to earn a master’s degree in education?
Probably not many. But Genea Bell is one example.
Bell, 29, is now an associate in the Hartford office of the Murtha Cullina firm where she practices in the litigation department.
“I enjoy wading through documents and then creating something in writing,” Bell said. “It’s like a classical musician being in a room by yourself, just you and the material, getting to know it better and preparing by yourself before sharing what you’ve learned.”
Bell grew up in Columbia, S.C., but moved to New York City after her high school graduation with aspirations of pursuing music full time. She graduated from The Julliard School with a degree in viola in 2000.
In her senior year at Julliard, Bell felt that her role as a musician wasn’t going to cut it for the rest of her life.
“It wasn’t going to fulfill the desires I had to go out and be part of the world,” she said.
Bell was selected for a New York City Teaching Fellows program and was able to complete her master’s degree by 2003.
The Colchester resident saw that, again, the classroom was not a place where she felt comfortable.
Bell and her then-fiancé planned a trip to Portugal for the rest of 2003 after applying for law school at UConn. In 2007, she received her law degree.
“I feel that I picked a firm that is a good match for me,” Bell said. “My colleagues respect each other and are interested in seeing me do well.”
Bell is mother to a two-year-old and will have a newborn in early 2008.
When she finds the time, Bell plays viola in a garage band and in other gigs when they come up.
“It’s a good way to keep grounded,” she said.
Emily Boisvert is a Hartford Business Journal staff writer.
