Meet Abbigail Forwood

We are back with another Lubnau Law team feature: Abbigail Crank Forwood.  Abbigail works in our Cheyenne office. She is a lifelong, Wyoming resident. She is married to TJ Forwood, and is mom to two wonderful, rambunctious children. She has over a decade of experience serving as General Counsel to many Wyoming governmental entities and hospitals, as well as a number of private Boards, businesses, and commissions across Wyoming. 

1. Why do you continue to practice law? What do you enjoy about what you do?

I enjoy the relationships I build with clients.  For some clients, my representation is quick.  I am deeply involved in their lives for a matter of months, and - once their issue is resolved - I will never see them again.  For many clients though, I have represented them for years.  Some over a decade.  These are my favorite relationships.  They are built on mutual respect, trust, and shared goals.

As an attorney who primarily represents Wyoming governmental entities (hospitals, school boards, commissions, etc.), my job is never boring.  I personally enjoy identifying issues and then finding solutions that help my clients improve as employers/employees, hospitals, boards, school districts, etc.  This, in turn, helps the people and the Wyoming communities my clients serve.   

2. What is your favorite weekend activity (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring)?

Since we are officially in the fall season, I will start with those activities. My husband and I coach two youth soccer teams, so Saturday mornings are always devoted to soccer games.  Also, softball.  It is the never-ending sport.  If not on a soccer or softball field, you can find me walking our dogs, curled up with a book, or cooking dinner for family and friends. In the summer, I enjoy spending my weekends hiking, camping, and paddleboarding.  In the winter, we ski!  Steamboat is our preferred mountain, and we spend as much time there as our kids' schedules allow.

3. What is one of your favorite places in Wyoming?

My favorite place is the Red Desert, Green Mountain specifically.  My family owns land there.  It is beautiful in a desolate, Wyoming way.  We fish, hike, hunt and camp at Green Mountain frequently.

4. What is one thing you wish clients knew about you/ or the law?

So many things!  On a personal level, I wish that clients remember that attorneys are normal people, with normal lives.  We have spouses, children, laundry to wash, dinners to cook, and errands to run just like everyone else.  As an attorney, I try to work like I do not have a family.  As a wife/mom, I try to family like I don't have a job.  It's a lot of balls to juggle.  I deeply appreciate clients who remember and appreciate that I am a wife, mom, and a attorney.

Finally, I wish that people realized the value of engaging an attorney BEFORE issues develop, not after.  Preemptive engagement of good, competent legal counsel changes everything (and saves you money in the long run). 

5. If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?

I would be one of our dogs.  Alf and Obi have the most insanely spoiled lives.