Loren L. AliKhan, Deputy Solicitor General, District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General, 32

Job: I oversee the city’s civil and administrative appeals in the US Supreme Court, US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, and DC Court of Appeals. The cases vary widely—everything from the constitutionality of the District’s gun laws to tax issues involving online travel companies.

Community involvement: As a public servant, it’s my full-time job to give back to the District and its residents. I also sit on the board of Bard College at Simon’s Rock, the nation’s only four-year residential liberal arts early college. I'm a proud alumna, having left high school at 15 to attend college there.

Career highlight: In my first argument as Deputy Solicitor General, I successfully argued an appeal to overturn a $2.3M judgment against the District.

Why this career: According to the autobiography I wrote when I was 7, I was either going to be a lawyer or the person who rings the bell at the close of the Stock Exchange.

Where you grew up: Baltimore, MD

Why DC: What better place to be a lawyer?

First job: I spent the summer before college working as a receptionist for a construction-supply company. I can still tell you a lot about different types of bricks.

Family: Terrific fiancé and two mischievous cats.

Free time: Traveling, concert-going, reading, enjoying good food and wine, and training with my running club to balance out said food and wine.

10 years from now: Continuing to serve the public and work on fascinating issues of constitutional law.

Favorite vacation spots: Costa Rica, the Berkshires, and Colorado.

Bucket list: Own an alpaca farm.

Daily habit: Do something active: run, swim, bike, yoga or Solidcore.

Startling fact: Running my first 50-mile ultra-marathon this fall.