The VBA Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Bar Association.
Issue link: http://vba.epubxp.com/i/815343
SPRING 2017 • 21 practitioner who recently completed a term on the VBA Board of Governors. "And now our headquarters will reflect that." e new location is five blocks from the 15-story Seventh and Franklin Building, the VBA's home since the first paid staff member was hired 33 years ago. e existing office on the 11th floor contains one conference room with seating for 14 and one meeting room for six, as well as staff offices. Christina Lee Jeffries, a partner and co-founder of 7 Hills Advisors, represented the VBA in the search for the new space, which has ample natural light and panoramic views of the Capitol complex, the city, and the building's plaza. Visitors to VBA on Main will pass a glass wall in the entry through which they can see the logo wall with a display case containing VBA memorabilia behind two sets of rocking chairs. Parking should be more convenient at the new location. The Bank of America Center owns two nearby decks and permits public parking for a fee. One deck is attached to the building. A large team laid the path for this unique concept among Virginia Bar groups. A task force of members and nonmembers considered the needs, wants, characteristics, and possible locations for the new space during the past two years. e VBA Board of Governors and Executive Committee weighed those wants and needs against budget and membership trends. Leaders visited a working bar center for ideas and uses. VBA staff members described how productivity could be improved. "What's really refreshing about this level of input is that the association members were co-authors of the de- sign," said Van Meter of the design firm SMBW. "is has really been a collaboration between our firm and your task force. I think every one of them has taken the time for proper due diligence, and done a thorough job looking at all facilities." e member center will provide greater opportunity to build member- ship, Mercer said. It will give lawyers living outside Richmond who do busi- ness in the capital city a satellite office. e longer term target will be to provide real value to young lawyers facing a very different market than many seasoned attorneys entered. "e type of career I've had, where I joined a practice after law school and a couple years of clerking and stayed at that practice for decades, will be a rarity for lawyers of my daughter's generation," said Guy, who joined LeClairRyan in 1994. More attorneys in today's gig economy take clients as they come and augment that with other opportunities, much like George Mason, John Marshall, and Patrick Henry did in their day. In a way, Guy said, the VBA is VBA on Main will include a conference room spacious enough to accommodate Board of Governors meetings. Rendering courtesy of SMBW.