Why I do what I do

There are many reasons why I enjoy my practice of law, but no more so than the reason I was reminded of this afternoon as I conducted a real estate closing for a young, recently married couple buying their first home together. It was late in the afternoon and the air was palpable with excitement. It was clear that the sellers and the buyers have gotten along wonderfully from the outset, and the atmosphere was friendly and collegial. There was much chatter and laughter throughout the closing. When we finished signing the papers and the ceremonial transfer of keys occurred, they broke out a bottle of champagne and disposable glasses that they had brought along, poured a glass for everyone in the room, and toasted the celebration of this new milestone in their lives. We sat in the conference room enjoying our champagne, trading stories and laughing for close to another half hour. Everyone hugged one other as they departed, and my clients left agog with the excitement of going to spend their first night together in their new house. Watching this process unfold over the course of the afternoon, and witnessing the excitement in my clients' faces, I was reminded again why I do what I do-- while I certainly enjoy the intellectual and technical challenges that practicing law provides, it's the relationships I build with the people whose paths I cross, the ways in which I am able to help them achieve their goals, and the joy and satisfaction I get from knowing that I can make a positive difference that really mean the most. So here's a toast to the new homeowners-- may you build a happy home together, and thank you for allowing me to help you start on your way.

"Happy Law"

I limit my practice to transactional and collaborative areas. I don't litigate, I don't do divorce work, and I try very hard to stay out of any courtroom. Why is this? The answer is because I don't like to fight. Now don't misunderstand, I am a very effective negotiator and can be as forceful and tenacious as I need to be in a difficult transaction, but philosophically I so far prefer to spend my time working with parties in situations where everyone gets what they want at the end. In litigation, and family law, there is necessarily a winner and a loser. At the end of a real estate closing, most of the time all parties go home happy, having achieved what they set out to do. The execution of a set of estate planning documents by the client at the end of a collaborative process is a wonderful moment of achievement and satisfaction. The formation and start-up of a new business entity or the resolution of an operational challenge is cause for celebration. My husband calls it "happy law". I like the sound of that.

Why a solo practice?

People have asked me why I ended up as a solo practitioner rather than part of a law firm. There are so many reasons! Some tease me that I don't "play well with others", but that's really not true-- it's just that I am a major control freak! All kidding aside, though, what I love most about being a solo practitioner is that I have the opportunity to work closely with clients on a one-on-one basis and to develop wonderful and lasting relationships as we work together. Clients become friends; friends become clients. Strong connections are forged and the collaboration between me and my clients allows for a multi-dimensional experience. When you engage my services, you know you are getting me, not a team of fungible young associates or paralegals in the back room. As a solo, I really get to know my clients well, and I can see up close and personal the ways in which my services can make a difference. Nothing feels better than the moment when the client gives me an enthusiastic "thank you" as we finish our business together, and I come away knowing that I have had a postive impact on their lives.