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eeling the strong tug of home and family, Emily returned to Sioux Falls after attaining her law degree. In 2009, she met her future husband Jeff Schlenker. “My husband is supportive of everything I do; he’s my best friend.” Today, Emily practices law at Steinhoff Law PLLC, which she opened in 2011, focusing on family law, criminal defense, and civil litigation. She enjoys recreational softball and volleyball, and long walks or bike rides to relieve stress, have fun and stay fit. She shares her home with her beloved dachshunds, Benny and Cloe. “I have an intense love for animals. I think people could learn so much from their pets about how human beings should treat each other. My dogs love me unconditionally. They add something to my life that I don’t get from anything else and they are loyal beyond belief.”
“I think that everything I’ve done and accomplished has made me who I am. It’s my goal to be happy and to work to make the world a better place. If people remember me for being a good person, that’s all that matters. I don’t need to be rich and famous, I just want to be happy and be a good person. I don’t live in a box. If I want to change, to reinvent myself, I have no issues in doing that. If it means making me happy or fulfilled, I will do it.”
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–Emily Steinhoff
mily spends a great deal of her free time finding ways to enrich the city she loves. As a member of the Diversity Kiwanis Club, she has helped raise funds and rally support for multiple projects that benefit children in the community and the world. Although not an official club member, her husband often joins her efforts. As President Elect, Emily is passionate about the group’s philanthropic endeavors. “It makes me happy to do community service. I could have the worst day at work and then I get to go and do something like put a coat on a kid that doesn’t have a coat or help a kid get to school so they can get an education.”