Lynley Ogilvie: Lawyer Turned Landscape Designer

The call to be in nature can be overwhelming. For Landscape Designer Lynley Ogilvie, the call to nature was always there, she just needed a little push. 

Lynley’s professional journey began with a law degree. She studied at both Harvard and the University of Virginia School of Law and practiced law for 17 years as a project finance lawyer.

“I had to find something different to do and I really had this love, this deep attraction to being outside and working with plants.”

This desire to do something new inspired her to start taking night classes. She studied landscape design at George Washington University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Her father’s love for the country’s natural spaces meant a lot of time on vacation at national parks, which Lynley says she sort of resented as a child. However, those times being in the environment inspired her own passion.

“I think you can’t grow up with that much access to nature and not fall in love with it.”

The amount of detail and focus that goes into the design of each project is similar to the work that she did as a lawyer. Both professions require the same diligence and drive. 

For more information about Lynley Ogilvie Landscape Design, visit her website.  

This episode was filmed by Leon Guanzon and was edited by Josh Wingard.