Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Hogen.
Hi Lori, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My career path has not been a straight line, but when I look back, there has always been one common thread: helping people make sense of complicated, emotional situations. After high school, I started at St. Norbert College in Wisconsin with plans to study elementary education and math. During my first year, I realized I kept coming back to an interest I had since high school – the legal field. I transferred to Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie and began working as a legal secretary while I was still in school. That first job was with an attorney who focused mainly on family law and estate planning, and before long, I was moving into paralegal work.
From there, my career grew in many directions. I worked for solo attorneys, small firms, and large firms; served as a law department administrator in a corporate setting; supervised court operations for the Minnesota Judicial Branch; and eventually owned River Valley Paralegal Services, where I provided contract paralegal support and mediation services. Family law stayed with me through most of that journey. I saw how overwhelming divorce and family court can feel when people are trying to make major decisions while also managing fear, finances, parenting, and uncertainty.
I have always loved learning. Over the years, I became a Registered Paralegal, was part of the inaugural group of Minnesota Certified Paralegals, trained as a Minnesota Rule 114 Qualified Neutral, and was approved to participate in Minnesota’s Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project for family law matters. Each step gave me a deeper appreciation for the importance of practical guidance, ethical boundaries, and clear communication.
While working full time and raising my children, I went back to school and earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Organizational Management. My master’s program required a business plan, and that assignment eventually became River Valley Paralegal Services. It also helped me see that one of my strongest skills is bringing order to chaos such as organizing information, explaining complicated processes, and helping people take the next right step.
In 2023, I retired from paralegal practice and formed HAHLAH® Consulting Group LLC. Today, I focus primarily on divorce consulting for women in Minnesota. I am not an attorney and do not provide legal advice, but I bring more than three decades of family law, court, mediation, and organizational experience to the table. My goal is simple: to help clients feel more prepared, more informed, and less alone during one of life’s hardest transitions.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The path definitely has not always been smooth. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is not to let fear make decisions for me. Fear of not being good enough, making a mistake, or disappointing someone can be powerful. I think that is one reason I relate so deeply to women going through divorce. When you are in the middle of a major life transition, fear can make everything feel bigger and harder. With the right support, you can begin making decisions from a place of strength instead of panic.
My own divorce was one of those turning points. I could not see it clearly at the time, but it became a catalyst for growth. It helped me recognize my resilience, understand who my true support system was, and eventually build a life that felt more grounded and authentic. It also gave me more compassion for people who are trying to hold everything together while their life is changing in very real ways.
Professionally, I have also had plenty of learning curves. The legal field can be stressful, and moving between law firms, the court system, business ownership, and now consulting has required me to keep adapting. Today, one of my biggest business challenges is simply getting the word out so women know this kind of support exists. But every challenge has helped me become more resourceful, more grounded, and more committed to the work I do now.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
People often ask about the name HAHLAH®. It is a combination of my husband’s initials and my initials, and it is pronounced “ha-la.” We chose “Consulting Group” because we see the business as something that can grow over time, possibly with other family members offering consulting services in their own areas of expertise.
At its heart, HAHLAH® helps women in Minnesota navigate divorce with calm, practical support. Divorce can be overwhelming, especially when someone is trying to understand documents, finances, timelines, parenting concerns, and attorney requests all at once. I help clients get organized, understand what is being asked of them, and feel more prepared for conversations with their attorney and other professionals.
What sets my work apart is the combination of experience and perspective. I have spent more than three decades around family law, courts, mediation, and legal support, so I understand both the process and the pressure clients are under. I have worked with people who did not know where to begin, did not understand the family finances, felt emotionally overwhelmed, or simply did not have the time or energy to manage every detail. My role is to bring structure, explanation, and steady support to the process.
• Explaining the divorce process in plain language so clients understand what is being requested and why it matters.
• Helping gather financial and other important documents, including spotting information that may need attorney follow-up.
• Organizing materials before they go to the attorney so the information is easier to review and less likely to require repeated follow-up.
• Creating a clearer picture of budgets, assets, and liabilities so clients can better understand their financial starting point.
• Taking stressful organizational tasks off the client’s plate so they can focus on decisions, parenting, healing, and planning for what comes next.
I also want readers to understand what this service is – and what it is not. I am not an attorney, and I do not give legal advice. In Minnesota, that role belongs to licensed attorneys. My work is designed to support the client and complement the attorney’s work by helping the client become more organized, informed, and prepared.
What I am most proud of is offering a service that meets people in a very real moment of need. Divorce can feel isolating and chaotic. If I can help bring a little order, clarity, and calm to that experience, that matters to me.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice is not to let fear talk you out of moving forward. That applies personally and professionally. Use your networks, both online and in person, and do not limit those relationships to people in your own industry. Ask questions. Be curious. Be willing to learn from people whose experiences look different from yours.
I have been amazed by how generous people can be with advice, encouragement, and connections. Someone may not be your next client, but they may introduce you to someone who is – or they may offer exactly the insight you need at the right time. If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be this: trust your abilities sooner, let your confidence show, and do not wait until everything feels perfect before you take the next step. Growth usually starts when we decide that fear can come along for the ride, but it does not get to choose the destination.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hahlah.com/linkedin
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hahlah_consulting
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hahlahconsultinggroup
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hahlah-consulting-group-llc/
