VBA Journal

WIN 2014

The VBA Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Bar Association.

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8 • VBA JOURNAL administration will yield sizable dividends for the associate who wants to make partner or the young lawyer who wants to start a practice," said Reid Trautz, practice management adviser to law frms and author of the ABA's Busy Lawyers Guide to Success: Essential Tips to Power Your Practice. Managing the practice of law may seem awkward to the young lawyer, and the balancing act will vary depending on the size of the frm and years of experience, but like juggling, the keys to success are practice and persistence. ■ Cheryl L. Black serves as counsel at Evergreen Enterprises in Richmond. She previously was a principal of Goodman Allen & Filetti PLLC and worked at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Ofce. She joined the VBA in 2008 and served as Chair-elect of the LPMD from 2012 until taking its helm in January 2014. LAW PRACTICE MUSINGS managing the practice of law is a Juggling Act A sk any law frm managing partner and he or she will tell you the key to a successful practice is the right combination of billable legal work, client development and administration of the practice. Whether solo, small, medium or large, law frms operate best when their team of lawyers can juggle originating work, generating billable hours and managing the work and the client. While the same cannot be said of in-house lawyers, law professors, jurists and government lawyers, they, too, must balance legal work with ancillary activities. In addition to CLE and administrative duties, their practice management should include participation in bar associations because the interaction could lead to outside counsel hires, improved communications in litigious cases, and career moves. Te importance of keeping all balls in the air is critical to the future success of soon-to-be lawyers and new associates. Getting a job and billing hours are foremost on their minds. However, "the investment in client development and BY CHERYL L. BLACK CHAIR, LAW PRACTICE MANAGEMENT DIVISION

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