St. Paul, at his desk. Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit
CEO, Trojack Law Office
Age: 73
Parish: St. Agnes, St. Paul, and St. Joseph, West St. Paul
Spouse: Mary Jo
Children: Anne Marie Schniederjan, Joseph, Elizabeth Carbone, Catherine
Education: William Mitchell College of Law, 1976 University of Minnesota, 1968
Number of years with company: 27 years
From advertising his services as an attorney in West St. Paul specializing in health care directives, probate, wills and trusts, to a plaque with a Bible verse displayed in his offices, John Trojack makes clear that faith guides his work. He is involved in several other parish and community organizations, including conciliation court. For Trojack, “leading with faith” includes striving for the highest levels of honesty and integrity.
Q Describe your business.
A We are a law firm concentrating its practice in probate, trust planning, wills, powers of attorney and health care directives with end-of-life issues discussed from a Catholic perspective.
Q Describe your position and role.
A Senior attorney and manager.
Q What does “leading with faith” mean to you?
A One leads with faith according to the teachings of the Catholic Church and, therefore, provides an example in performing daily duties, always striving for the highest levels of honesty and integrity.
Q How do you concretely apply your faith and Catholic values at work?
A The estate planning that we focus on in our law practice is done from a Catholic perspective.
Q Please tell a story about a time when living out your faith at work really made a difference.
A This has happened a number of times when Catholic clients want to do planning that takes into account their faith. They might want their trust to indicate the request for Gregorian Masses or that any long-term care facility should provide access to the sacraments. They might want a specific health care directive that requires reception of the sacraments in the case of terminal illness.
Q Who or what has inspired you to bring your faith to the marketplace?
A My upbringing by my good Catholic parents and my wonderful wife have been a great inspiration for me.
Q What achievement at work are you most proud of?
A Everyday counseling that allows me to help people.
Q In what specific ways have you experienced God’s presence in your workplace?
A Every day I work with great people who show forth the goodness that is God.
Q What advice do you have for others who want to lead with faith?
A Each person should carry out their duties no matter what trivial act might be involved, in order to try to be in union with God’s will. That will be an example to others of where faith should lead.
