Meet Rachel Steinhofer.
A skilled associate with Barrett McNagny, Rachel Steinhofer represents clients in the employment arena, defending employers against claims involving Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Indiana Wage Payment Statute, the Indiana Wage Claims Statute, and the Indiana Workers’ Compensation Act. In addition, Rachel interacts with administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), on behalf of clients. She also represents clients in medical malpractice defense and general liability defense. She is a member of the Allen County Bar Association and served as the Chair of the New Lawyers Section (2015-2016).
Rachel has volunteered at the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, serves on the board of directors for Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana and McMillen Health, and is secretary of the board of directors for both organizations. She has given presentations on multiple legal topics, including the “Workplace Survival Guide” and “Finding Free Legal Research Sites and Free Case Law”, and she was a contributor to a publication about medical malpractice claims. Since 2015, she has been selected a “Rising Star” by the Indiana Super Lawyers© publication.
After receiving her B.A. in 2005 from DePauw University, Rachel then attained her J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2010. She is admitted to practice before the Indiana state courts and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.
YWCA Asks: What does an “empowering woman” mean to you?
Rachel: An “empowering woman” is a woman who has self-confidence in her life, and encourages and supports others to realize their own strengths and to use those strengths in their lives. An “empowering woman” is not one who competes with everyone, but one who competes with herself and uplifts others to do the same. An “empowering woman” is one who walks side-by-side with her peers to ensure that they all succeed.
YWCA Asks: In what ways do you feel that you empower other women?
Rachel: In all aspects of my life, personal or professional, my goal is to help other women to realize their self-worth and to let them know they are not alone in the fears and insecurities that they have. I offer support to my female co-workers and colleagues, especially working moms, who struggle with the work-life balance because we all have good days and bad days, and I believe it helps for us to share and celebrate our victories and learn from our setbacks.
YWCA Asks: Would you please share an experience or tidbit of knowledge that would help other women? This could be a lesson learned, or motivational story, or information that you would like to share to help educate others.
Rachel: When I was a little girl, I was very shy and quiet. In fact, my teachers often provided feedback to my parents that I was rather quiet, but always willing to participate when called on. I went to a small school with the same 50ish children in my class from Kindergarten through 8th Grade. When it was time to choose a high school, I vividly recall talking to my parents about whether to attend a smaller private high school versus the large public school. I did not want to go to a large school because I was afraid – afraid of getting lost in the crowd (literally and figuratively), afraid of not being heard, afraid of being silenced. I did not yet realize that I had complete control of me. Throughout high school and college, though, I found my voice. I realized how to make an impact by being myself. I was and am stronger and more influential than I realized I could be. Although this is an extremely abbreviated version of the real story, I want other women to know that we are strong. We are stronger than we think we are – we can face anything. Sometimes we all need help finding our voices, and that’s okay. We are here to help each other.