The VBA Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Bar Association.
Issue link: http://vba.epubxp.com/i/99281
Lucia Anna "Pia" Trigiani served as president of The Virginia Bar Association in 2011. She credits past presidents' shared wisdom in guiding her through her own presidency. Jeanne Franklin (above) and Poston started a roundtable where women could socialize and re¾ect on the joys and pressures of their professional and personal lives. experience and bar involvement and, similarly, access to real camaraderie with younger, up-and-coming women," Franklin said. "I am lucky to get to know women across generations in diferent stages of their professional lives." Tat interaction provides lawyers, male and female alike, with a network of resources throughout the Commonwealth that they can draw upon when they have a question, need to refer a client or want a mentor as their careers progress. Last year's president, Lucia Anna "Pia" Trigiani, said one of her most meaningful experiences with the VBA was meeting with many of the previous presidents before beginning her own term. Teir wisdom guided her through her own presidency and a role in the VBA tradition of being an agent for change and service. "What I value most about the organization is the opportunity it gives to bring about … positive changes in your state and profession," said Trigiani, a partner at MercerTrigiani in Alexandria. Poston said the focus on service sets the VBA apart from the many professional organizations for lawyers. "It's not just an internally focused organization," she said. "Clearly, what we do makes the legal profession better. But the VBA also has a strong external focus that provides wonderful opportunities for service to the community. Whether it's tweaking a statute to clarify ambiguity or tackling a signifcant societal issue, such as the legal problems of our war veterans, the VBA gives lawyers the opportunity to improve the justice system." n 26 • VBA JOURNAL 26 • VBA JOURNAL