VBA Journal

WIN 2012

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

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WRITER'S BLOCK BY DAVID H. SPRATT PROFESSOR, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY Learning from the master: A things Betty Thompson taught me rlington, Virginia, 1996. I was interested in family law and had sent out my resume. Early one Saturday morning, Betty Tompson called about an interview. I knew nothing about her, so I looked up her profle. She was then 70, and I assumed that she wanted an associate to help her for a few years before she retired. Tis was the frst thing I learned from Betty: do not judge a book by its cover. When I arrived at her Rosslyn ofce, Betty was full of life, dressed to the nines, sharp as a tack, and wearing a white, leather Chanel mini-skirt. Even then, I knew she was extraordinary. Betty Tompson, the grand dame of Virginia family law, died September 24, 2012. Tere will never be another like her. I worked with Betty for two years. I now teach legal writing/ family law at American University, and much of what I teach came from Betty. Betty was not "warm and fuzzy" or even patient, but she was an inspiration and mentor, two qualities found only in the best teachers. Even if you did not know Betty, heed her words of wisdom. Sit back, raise a drink to Betty (Chivas Regal was her favorite), and take note of some things I learned from the master: Litigation is not always the best option. Particularly in family law, frms, not clients, beneft from protracted litigation. Betty was never afraid to litigate, and her command of the courtroom was a sight to behold; however, Betty told clients early on that settlement often brought better, more tailored results and allowed families to heal more quickly. Tere is a time to litigate, of course, but Betty taught me that a well-crafted settlement truly is in many a client's best interest. Tere's something about an old-fashioned letter. If I had to guess, I bet Betty still wasn't fond of email. She believed that written communication should be formal, respecting the relationship between writer and recipient. I discourage my students each year from over-relying on email, as too many times, email is informal, and advice therein given haphazardly. Emails often result in shortcuts, and Betty never took shortcuts in the practice of law. 8 • VBA JOURNAL A person's word should bind like a contract. You always knew where you stood with Betty. She did not beat around the bush, and her word was golden. If she left a settlement conference telling you that a case had settled, the case actually had settled. With Betty, you knew that a handshake had brokered a solid deal. Know the law. Betty could spout of case names (including the reporter volume of the case) on any number of topics, family law or otherwise. She was a human search engine, so to speak. She knew the law and used it well to serve her clients ethically and professionally. Although few, if any, have this level of recall, lawyers should stay current on the ever-changing felds in which they practice. Arlington, Virginia, September 24, 2012: Tat night, driving through Rosslyn, I had not heard the news of Betty's passing. For some reason, she popped into my head, and I had planned to call her to schedule a long-promised dinner. I wanted to tell Betty what an incredible infuence she had been on me as a lawyer/ law professor and that even 15 years later, I strive to practice what she preached. Somewhere in the heavens over Rosslyn, Betty Thompson I hope Betty Tompson is reading this column. BT, your words and teachings will never be forgotten. You will be missed. n Photo: RCL Portraits Demand perfection (or at least excellence). Betty had high expectations of her staf. But she had even higher expectations of herself. Tese expectations forced most everyone to be responsible for and highly invested in their work product – a great attribute for a successful lawyer, law clerk, or employee, and one that, unfortunately, seems increasingly rare. Good lawyers should do more than practice. Betty believed that lawyers should serve not only their clients but also the legal profession. As the founding chair of the VBA Coalition on Family Law Legislation – now the Virginia Family Law Coalition – Betty spent countless hours writing and revising proposed legislation and lobbying the General Assembly to ensure the passage of "good family law." Over the years, she was a leader in the VBA, Virginia State Bar, Arlington County Bar, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and countless other organizations.

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