Allison A. Jones, stockholder/officer for Davidson, Jones & Summers, A Professional Law Corporation, is one well-rounded, woman who knows how to thrive. She received her undergraduate degree from LSU Baton Rouge in 1982 and juris doctorate from LSU School of Law in 1985. Now, a wife, mother and business professional, Jones is a member of the National and Louisiana Employment Lawyers Associations and is a past chair of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section. She has been selected as a Super Lawyer, a member of the national Million Dollar Advocates Forum and is a Litigation Council Fellow. Jones has certainly learned how to find success both inside and outside of her career.

What’s your passion? Jones: I don’t have one just one. I love to read, travel and spend time with my family, and I doubt you will find a more passionate LSU Tiger or New Orleans Saints fan. I also really enjoy community service.

Q: What inspires or motivates you daily? Jones: My life is not about keeping calm and carrying on. It is more like raise hell and change the world. I like to think that I have the power to change the world, at least in one person’s life, every day.

Q: Tell me about your family. Jones: I have been married to Philip E. Downer III for nearly 30 years. I am the mother of two boys, Joshua Philip Downer, 28, who is practicing law with the law firm Liskow & Lewis in Houston, and Stephen Edward Downer, 20, who is currently a junior at LSU Baton Rouge majoring in history and pre-law.

Q: How does your faith play a part in your life or career? Jones: I grew up in Opelousas, La., going to First Baptist Church. We went to Sunday School, ‘Big Church,’ and Training Union on Sundays and prayer meeting every Wednesday. No matter what I do in my life, I am always probably going to have a little bit of that ‘Baptist’ girl in me. That fact probably surprises a lot of people, and I think it does play a part in my career. Even then, however, I believe strongly that the concept of separation of church and state should be cherished and preserved in America.

Q: What would you tell other women in the area about going for their dreams? Jones: I would tell them not to let society’s expectations limit them and tell them to think outside of the box, re-write the rules, and as Sheryl Sandberg so beautifully put it, to lean in. While one may feel that she can’t have it all, one can redefine what ‘all’ means on a personal level. I am of the belief that if you define what having it all means to you personally, it becomes an achievable goal.

Q: What is a typical day in the life look like for you? Jones: My day is filled with either deposition taking, court appearances, brief writing, meeting with clients to discuss their case and/or attending a community service board meeting. That seems like a short list to some, but it is enough for me right now.

Q: What first prompted you toward law?

Jones: I never remember a time when I did not think I could win an argument. Arguments don’t bother me. In fact, I love having really deep intellectual conversations with people who disagree with my beliefs. We challenge each other to walk away with a new look at the issue debated.

Q: What is your favorite part of your job? Jones: I like the trial aspect. Many lawyers never want to see a courtroom. I am not one of those lawyers. I love trials. It’s when I feel most alive.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish with your career in the next five years? Jones: I have a few good trials left in me. And I want to see my family healthy and my boys settled. Generally, I am a planner and used to make lists of things I wanted to accomplish. But, I have decided that I want to take the next years as they come – the future will unveil itself even if I don’t have a checklist.

Q: What surprised you most about the law business once you became involved in it? Jones: That law was a profession, but that one cannot ignore the business component of this profession. I don’t think law schools teach the business/ law office management part of practicing law in the depth they should. I don’t win all of my cases, but when I lose one, I am usually surprised, and I am never hesitant to appeal to a higher court if necessary. The most positive thing about the practice of law is that I am able to help people who really need it.