Throughout her life, Juliet Burgess was surrounded by courageous and kind women—and this is a big reason the Paradise Valley labor and employment attorney and founder of the award-winning Burgess Law Group focuses much of her non-legal hours with organizations that not only give back to the community but also support women.
Recipients of Burgess’ selfless service include nonprofits such as the Arizona Women Lawyers Association and the Arizona Foundation for Women, for which she serves on the board of directors; co-chaired the organization’s 25th Anniversary Silver Soiree, which raised over $330,000 for the women in Arizona; and is a champion for the She Leads mentorship program. Burgess is also a Girl Scouts co-leader for her older daughter’s third grade Brownies Troop and is excited about her recent membership with the Arizona Costume Institute at the Phoenix Art Museum.
“I care a lot about the safety, health, and economic independence of the women in our community,” Burgess, a New York native, says of her passion for philanthropy. “I’ve been fortunate to always be on a team with strong inspiring women and I’m a big believer in synergy— what you put out comes back to you.”
The daughter of special education teachers and a former competitive rhythmic gymnast, Burgess launched the boutique firm that bears her name in 2016. Four years later, her husband Todd, also an attorney, left his large firm and joined her practice, where he manages the firm’s commercial bankruptcy, creditors rights, loan enforcement, and financial restructuring work. Together, they have three children, Benjamin, 12; Elle, 9; and Ivy, 1.
Right after having Elle, Burgess chose to walk away from her partner track at a prominent international firm for what she calls the hardest but most rewarding job in the world: stay-at-home mom.
Through a book drive at her son’s preschool, she became involved with community efforts, including serving on the board of directors (chair of Community Outreach) for the Friends of the Phoenix Public Library, and co-chairing the Jewish National Fund’s annual Women for Israel luncheon for two consecutive years. In 2017, when a local restaurant chain asked for her expertise so it could adhere to Arizona’s new paid sick time law, Burgess found herself back in the game.
“You can take the girl out of the law firm, but you can’t take the lawyer out of the girl,” Burgess says with a smile.
This led to more projects, and soon, to the full-fledged practice Burgess Law Group is today.
Burgess talks about a new generation of women learning to be brave and embrace a path that doesn’t align with what’s considered traditional or perfect. Through her own career decision, Burgess shows young women that they too can follow their hearts and have a career and a family on their own terms.
“This idea that women are stronger together is something I’m really passionate about,” she says. TheBurgessLawGroup.com
