by John David Epperly, Jr. *
Real property meant everything to our forefathers here in Virginia. It was the source of wealth and social status. With its central and strategic location, and favorable climate, Virginia was the richest and most powerful of the colonies, and then, of the states. Virginia may no longer be the richest and most powerful state (although some Virginians, being Virginians, might disagree), but Virginia land is among the most valuable in the country, and land continues to make the Virginia economy go. Nowhere is that more evident than in the practice of law, and real property lawyers know it best.
Here we are again in what appears to be another real estate boom—or at least a "boomlet." Land is hot again (not that it ever really cooled off), and phones, fax machines, and computers are humming because of it. More and more people are coming to Virginia, and they have to have someplace to work, and someplace to live. Property is being transferred, loans are being made, and houses and buildings are being built. And who makes it happen? Real property lawyers do. Others may make the deals, but we make them work.
What does this issue of The Fee Simple that you hold in your hand have to do with the previous two paragraphs? Well, it is part of the continuing effort of the Real Property Section, and especially the members of its Board of Governors and Area Representatives, to keep other lawyers informed about things that they need to know to do an effective job for their clients, and to serve the public and the profession. It is times like these when we are sometimes too busy to dig all this information up for ourselves. Special thanks go to Professor Lynda Butler, our editor, for her efforts in putting together another great issue, and thanks also to all those who have taken time out from their busy lives to contribute articles. We are truly blessed in that regard.
Another valuable service provided by the section is through the seminars that we sponsor. The 5th Annual Advanced Real Estate Seminar was held in March at the Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville. We had a great turnout for a terrific seminar. Many thanks to Mike Barney, Howard Gordon, Grice McMullan, and Susan Pesner for their efforts in organizing this year's event. And, as always, thanks go to Lee Hickok and Virginia CLE for putting it all together.
By the time you read this, I hope you will have attended one of the four live presentations of our statewide 19th Annual Real Estate Practice Seminar, scheduled for Falls Church, Norfolk, Richmond, and Roanoke beginning May 1. Our Vice Chair Larry Schonberger has put together another informative program. Again, Lee Hickok deserves special thanks for working with a group of natural procrastinators to turn ideas into a seminar.
Finally, Larry Schonberger and Steve Blaine have organized what I am sure will be an informative seminar at the VSB Annual Meeting in Virginia Beach in June to top off our seminar efforts for the year.
Seminars may be the most visible thing we do, but they are not all that we do. There are numerous publications, forms, and other activities and events that directly result from the Section and its members. The ideas for many of these things come from our regular quarterly meetings, and from discussions that follow. The exchange of ideas and information that occurs when Section members get together is worth the effort to attend. All of us lawyers benefit from it.
My year as Chair is coming to an end. I can't say enough about the men and women who, as members of the Board of Governors and as Area Representatives, expend so much time and effort on seminars, articles, meetings, and other activities of the Section. What smart, interesting, diverse, dedicated, professional, collegial, and enjoyable individuals they are. Thanks to each and every one of you. It has been a fun and rewarding ride.
And all of you out there who haven't gotten involved with the Section, you really don't know what you are missing. Come join us. We would love to have you.
*John David Epperly is a resident of Falls Church and is Virginia State Counsel with Fidelity National Title Insurance Company of New York in its Fairfax office. He is also Chair of the Real Property Section, and a member of the Virginia and Fairfax Bar Associations.