Molly Haunty asked to be photographed at one of her favorite local nonprofits, the Wellness House of Hinsdale. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR
Molly Haunty and her husband, James, moved to Hinsdale around the time of their oldest child’s first birthday. Molly was seeking a small community with charm and a quick commute downtown and found it in our village. A partner at Berger Schatz, one of the largest law firms in the nation dedicated exclusively to family law, Molly works closely with her clients on cases involving complex financial issues, corporate valuations, non-marital asset protection, child custody, removal, support, and visitation. She balances her work with busy schedules for her three children Jack, Ainslie, and Jake—all while remaining active in several local organizations. She is especially passionate about the mission of the Wellness House, for which she served as 2018 Ball Co-Chair.
Mantra? One falls forward to success.
Best grooming tip? A hair tie is not a bracelet (unless you’re under age 13).
Guilty pleasure? Reality on Bravo TV; it makes me appreciate my life.
Favorite foods? Swedish Fish and M&Ms; I’ll take candy over fine dining any day.
Music you love? Chris Stapleton.
Best advice ever given to you? Be an energy giver, not an energy taker.
Best advice you’ve given? Don’t make assumptions. If you don’t know the situation fully, then you can’t offer an informed opinion.
Earliest memory? As a first grader, I remember being the first girl to climb the rope to the ceiling of my elementary school gym after my P.E. teacher said girls couldn’t do it.
When you wake up, you? Start the coffee and let the dogs outside.
Before bed, you? Read The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times. I’m a news junkie.
What’s on your bookshelf? When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, Atomic Habits by James Clear, and anything by Malcolm Gladwell or David Sedaris.
You can’t live without? A good pair of running shoes. I love to run because it’s my mode of decompression after the work week.
Love to escape to? Anywhere with water, preferably with sand.
Advice you would give to your younger self? Ask for help; you need it more than you know.
WHEN IN THE COUNTRY
Your style is? Jeans and a T-shirt with a Northwestern baseball hat.
Can’t leave the house without? A bag of wipes because inevitably someone spills.
Transportation? Any vehicle fitting my three kids and sports bags.
Driving music? “Breakfast with the Beatles.”
Place to eat? On the patio at Bakersfield.
Shop? Midnight shopping sprees when I can’t sleep, anywhere from Amazon to Italist. Alixandra Collections for something cute and last-minute.
Best thing about country? The opportunity to live in a community with others who are so committed to giving back to local organizations. After losing my dear friend/sister-in-law to breast cancer, I jumped in to work closely with the Wellness House, an organization that supports individuals and families impacted by cancer. The community support for the Wellness House mission is inspiring.
Worst thing about country? No Lake Michigan.
The perfect day is? Coffee in the quiet before chaos, a long run around Hinsdale, watching my kids play sports, college football on the TV, and a bonfire on the back porch after the kids go to sleep.
WHEN IN TOWN
Your style is? A pencil skirt with a blouse, jacket, and pumps for the office or court. Jeans and a big comfy sweater with booties for play.
Can’t leave the house without? Still a bag of wipes (because spills happen in the city, too).
Transportation? Walk (preferable), and otherwise Uber.
Driving music? Malcolm Gladwell’s “Revisionist History” podcast or any true crime podcast.
Place to eat? Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap.
Shop? When I’m downtown sometimes it’s tricky to coordinate work attire and an outfit for a charity event or other social event after work. I pop into Maje or Sandro a lot for last-minute outfits that transition from work to after hours.
Best thing about town? The accessibility of so many gourmet, trendy, and diverse restaurants.
Worst thing about town? The traffic.
The perfect day is? A run along the lake, followed by sailing on Lake Michigan, Maggie Daley Park, dinner on the porch at the Chicago Yacht Club, and (once the babysitter comes) drinks at Cindy’s rooftop.
