by Susan Hepner Siegfried*
It is with great pleasure that I write the Chair’s message. I have been involved with the Real Property Section for about 10 years, first as an area representative, and then over the years as a subcommittee chair, member of the Board of Governors, secretary, membership chair, vice-chair and now chair. Throughout this time, I have come to appreciate deeply the involvement of my fellow attorneys in Section work. The level of our membership attests to the fact that the Section provides valuable resources and information. As of November 1, 1999, we had 1904 members, making us the second largest section in the Virginia State Bar.
The Advanced Real Estate Seminar, the Annual Real Estate Practice Seminar and our offerings at the Annual Meeting of the VSB in Virginia Beach are all examples of the Section’s efforts to educate our fellow attorneys and improve the practice of Real Estate Law. Lynda Butler, editor of this publication, year after year produces an outstanding newsletter.
I have watched with admiration the tireless efforts of former Chair Susan Pesner, who headed the Section during the challenging time that UPL #183 was being hotly debated, and was recently elected to the Executive Committee of Bar Council of the Virginia State Bar. She sets an excellent example of commitment to service, high ethical standards, and a real interest in promoting collegiality. Susan asked me to mention that the Virginia Bar Foundation is seeking monetary and in-kind contributions for the attorneys from Franklin, Virginia, whose practices were washed out by hurricane Floyd. Contributions may be made to the VBA Foundation, 701 E. Franklin St., Suite 1120, Richmond, VA 23219; the phone number is 804-644-0041, and the contact is Sandy Thompson of the VBA.
I have also watched in awe as Court Traver has tirelessly served our Section and other lawyers who practice real estate law by compiling and delivering his annual legislative and case law update during the Section’s Annual Real Estate Practice Seminar. We are deeply grateful to him for his service. Over the years he has also organized countless seminars, served as editor of different editions of the Residential Real Estate Transactions handbook, and mentored many attorneys, all with grace and humility.
I have also admired the commitment of Rick Richmond and Court as they headed the VBA Forms subcommittee, which has produced standard real estate forms of great benefit to both seasoned practitioners and newly admitted attorneys. One of the highlights of my involvement in the Section was going with Ed Waugaman, Chair of the First Day in Practice subcommittee, to the First Day in Practice Seminar, where newly admitted attorneys are tutored in the basics of law practice. The Section manned a table in the hall outside the lecture room, and handed out copies of the Homebuyer’s Manual and the disk containing the standard real estate forms to eager new admittees who lined up for them.
I am grateful to the more experienced attorneys who have shared their time, wisdom and words of encouragement with me over the years. I believe that when we cooperate, share information with one another, and extend courtesy and frankness to each other, the level of our practice is elevated and our clients are better served.
I encourage all attorneys to take an active interest in the Section by writing articles for the Fee Simple, suggesting topics for the Annual Real Estate Practice Seminar and other CLE offerings, becoming an Area Representative, or joining one of the subcommittees. I especially encourage younger lawyers, or those who have not practiced for very long, to involve themselves in Section work and get to know other lawyers. Doing so provides an opportunity to tap into a wealth of experience and knowledge. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to be involved.
I hope to emphasize two things this year, the revitalization of the subcommittees and the development of the Section webpage. I encourage anyone interested to contact the chair of the subcommittee of your choice and ask to be placed on the subcommittee. A list of the subcommittees and their chairs appears at the end of the Fee Simple. If you would like to help with the webpage, please contact me.
* Susan Hepner Siegfried serves as Senior Counsel in the Legal Division of the Virginia Housing Development Authority in Richmond, Virginia and is Chair of the Board of Governors of the Real Property Section of the Virginia State Bar.