campaigns : Campaign Archive

Summer 2007

The Only Constant Is Change

Change is a word that makes many people uneasy. For others, it's simply a way of life and something we have learned to embrace and enjoy.

This thought takes me back to early in my professional career. Like many people, I often asked myself, 'Why did I go to law school?' For many of my colleagues, the answer was something noble like wanting to 'change the world' or 'make a difference.' I was much less idealistic. I thought, 'I'm 26 years old, teaching school and loving it, but my education is over and I might be bored in five years!' With that in mind, I ventured into law school for one of many personal and professional changes.

Well, here I sit 15 years later and happily admit I'm not bored and it was one of the best changes I've ever made. Change is still a constant, too - what was once our quaint business venture has turned into a national company with five locations.

When we started, we couldn't offer benefits. We now have a plethora, such as the Health & Wellness Program that many of you have utilized. Programs like this have helped us come closer as a company - we had a great turnout for the Race Judicata in Nashville and a few of you ran (while I jogged) the Country Music Marathon. In addition, we've added dozens of employees recently to our holiday pay and 401k programs, news that brings me great pleasure because it means those employees have been with us for at least a year.

At the same time, I know our company will continue to change in order to be an organization you want to work with.

As our company has grown, I've come to realize that we need more talented people in order to deliver a higher level of service - to each of you as well as our clients. We are making some additions in several of our offices in the coming weeks to ensure we provide the best possible support. That includes implementing our new payroll system, which will hopefully iron out any issues we've experienced in the past. I thank you for your patience as we get everyone and everything up and running and look forward to introducing the new members of our team to you.

Those paying attention earlier noticed I said we have five locations - that's not a misprint. We have been meeting with attorneys in Charlotte, NC, and I'm happy to announce that we plan to open an office there in the coming weeks. We've been working in the market for some time and have a great foundation to build upon, although it will bring its own set of challenges and changes. The new office will report to Dennis McKinnie, our very capable executive director in Atlanta.

Harkening back to my colleagues who went to law school to 'make a difference' ... it's taken me a little longer, but I find myself on that path now more so than ever. I've welcomed this change into my life and have you to thank for it. You make a difference every day by showing your colleagues and our profession that talented attorneys can practice law and have control of their schedule, and it inspires me.

Finally - and I never thought these words would come out of my mouth - please check out attorney Keltie Peay's "podcast" on our website. It's really great and we'll add more multi-media features to the site in the coming months. I could go on, but I guess the technological changes we've gone through as a company is a whole other subject!

Briefs

Sandy Johns has joined the corporate team in Nashville, assisting Helayne Blouin with accounting and payroll matters. Originally from Atlanta, Sandy will eventually be responsible for all payroll functions. In addition to her bachelor of science degree in communications (cum laude) from Kennesaw State, Sandy brings several years of payroll and accounting experience that has enabled her to hit the ground running.

(866) 487-7319

Counsel On Call has recently secured the toll free number above for your convenience. This number will connect you to the corporate office in Nashville and should be helpful for everyone outside of Music City. If you ever have any questions or need something from corporate, please don't hesitate to use the number.

'Dixieland Delight'

Hits The Shelves

Counsel On Call Attorney Clay Travis will sign copies of his new book, Dixieland Delight: A Football Season on the Road in the Southeastern Conference, on August 7th at Davis-Kidd bookstore in Nashville. The book is available on Amazon.com and will be officially released July 31. The initial printing of 100,000 copies is a testament to ClayNation's loyal readership on

CBSSportline.com.

PROFILE: Jenny Tancrell

One of the happiest times of Jenny Tancrell's life quickly became a little nerve-wracking.

She was a promising associate with an established, small firm in Memphis, Tenn., where she was working on commercial real estate transactions and enjoying the work-life balance situation the firm provided. She had also just found out that she was pregnant with her first child. Things were going great for her and her husband, Chris.

"Then our firm merged with a much larger firm and decided not to retain the junior associates," the Vicksburg, Miss., native said. "It was interesting timing for us."

An expecting mother suddenly out of work, Jenny wanted to find a new position quickly. She called Andy Branham, executive director of Counsel On Call's Memphis office, to learn more about the company. She knew Andy and thought a flexible work position might be a fit for her situation.

"I started working almost immediately, reviewing lease and real estate sales agreements for a large, international company," Jenny said.

The Tancrells at their home in Memphis.

"The last day of the assignment - and right after the company Christmas party, in fact - I went into labor with my son."

A hectic few months were nothing new for Jenny. After attending The University of the South (Sewanee), she moved to Boston and embarked upon a career in public relations, working for a firm and later a high-tech company. She quickly realized to get where she wanted to be in life, however, she needed a law degree. She enrolled in the New England School of Law and, a year later, transferred to the University of Memphis School of Law so she could be closer to her family. She married Chris, now a Sponsorship Marketing executive with FedEx, during her law school tenure. It was a whirlwind - five years, three cities, two jobs, two law schools, a new career, and marriage. After what must have felt like two

peaceful years at the firm, the merger happened.

"Our company is made for people like Jenny - I think she probably appreciated the fact that she could work on a flexible schedule when she needed it most," said Branham. "She is very talented and does a great job for her clients, so she'll excel in any situation."

Three months after her son Josh was born, Jenny was ready to get back to work in some capacity. Through Counsel On Call, she worked 18-20 hours per week from home on a three-month assignment.

A former college tennis player, she has also been able to resume her athletic interests. Her USTA Tennis Team (women's 4.5 league) recently won the Memphis city championship and will compete for state and sectional titles this summer.

"Work-life balance has always been important to me and Counsel On Call has been a perfect fit," she said. "Working from home after Josh was born was wonderful - I worked when I could and re-sharpened my skills in preparation of returning to a full work schedule. That type of control was invaluable."

Faces and Places

(from top left clockwise)

Nashville Happy Hour at The Long Shot in June

Jane Allen leading a CLE discussion in Nashville

A finished photo from Keltie Peay's recent photo shoot

Jenny Tancrell competes at the USTA Women's 4.5 state championship

The lobby area of Counsel On Call's new corporate office

Do you have any story ideas for this newsletter?

Any accomplishments or news to share about yourself or a colleague?

We want to hear from you! E-mail Chad Schmidt with your ideas.

Events & Other News

CLEs, Happy Hours in Nashville

The Nashville office recently hosted a well-attended CLE at the Convention Center, with Jane Allen leading a discussion on the ethics on the use of contract lawyers and Counsel On Call Attorney Susan McDonald presenting numerous tips for concise and persuasive writing. The Nashville office also hosted two happy hour events at The Long Shot sportsbar on Demonbreun St., where a good time was had by all. Look for more events to be announced soon.

Atlanta Office Hosts Georgia General Counsel Forum

Spearheaded by Dennis McKinnie and Anne Whitaker, the first-ever meeting of the GGCF was a big success. Atlanta-area general counsel participated in a discussion on the future of law department management led by Dan DiLucchio, a principal at Altman-Weil. Dennis and Anne will continue to coordinate and facilitate future GGCF meetings because of their strong connections within Atlanta's general counsel community.

Bolden Going Places

How do you manage three real estate companies in Arkansas from a home office in Atlanta? For Jason Bolden, it’s been a relatively simple process because of his work arrangement with Counsel On Call.

"My wife, Sarah, was about to enroll at Emory Law School, which obviously meant we were moving from Little Rock to Atlanta," said Bolden, who owns three different types of residential real estate companies in Arkansas. "I knew we wouldn’t be there forever, but I still needed work that would allow me to continue operating my companies in Arkansas. I’m so glad I found Counsel On Call."

The move to Atlanta was incredibly hectic, too. Over the course of three weeks, Jason took the bar exam, the couple closed on their house, got married, moved to Atlanta, and Sarah’s classes at Emory began.

Once things settled down – always a relative term for the Boldens – Jason began working with Counsel On Call. The last three years, the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Law graduate has worked on numerous litigation support assignments with Counsel On Call’s Atlanta office. The assignments meshed well with his responsibilities in Arkansas, as he was able to return home an average once per month to

visit his real estate offices. Working with Counsel On Call also allowed him to take six months off to go back to Arkansas to serve as campaign manager for a candidate in the lieutenant governor’s race.

"Once our competitor put over $1 million of his own money into the race, winning became a lot more difficult," Bolden jokingly acknowledged. "But it was a great experience and one I wouldn’t have been able to take advantage of if I were practicing law in a traditional manner."

Sarah, now an Emory Law graduate, has accepted a position clerking for the Arkansas Supreme Court and the Boldens will soon venture back home. But not before taking a long-overdue honeymoon, traveling and soaking in some sun.

"Our time in Atlanta has been great and I would recommend Counsel On Call to anyone," Jason said. "It certainly worked incredibly well for me."

Andy Branham (Memphis)
Appeared on Judge Robillio's Legal Questions show in April to discuss work-life balance issues for lawyers.

Megan Bosse (Atlanta)
Was recently engaged and the ceremony will take place Oct. 6.

Claudia Richardson (Nashville)
Was recently engaged and will marry over Thanksgiving weekend.

Marian Fordyce (Nashville)
Cora Olivia was born on June 30. She weighed 7 lbs, and was 20 inches long.

Talia Nurse (Atlanta)
Corynn Elise Nurse (at right) was born on June 2. She weighed 7lbs, 7oz, and was 21 inches long.

Keltie Peay (Nashville)
Participated in a photo shoot (below) that will be featured on the COC website and in advertisements in the near future.

Top of the Class

Jane Allen (Corporate)

Is now part of the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle, a society of women leaders and philanthropists who help serve the public in times of peace and war through community assistance services that change and save lives. The group recently received a special tour of the White House and dined at the home of James Carville and Mary Matalin.

Kate Jordan (Atlanta)
Recently celebrated her 15th wedding anniversary with a trip to Russia with husband, Jon (at left).

Branham, Reed Active in Pro Bono Initiative

The Bulletin Board

The First Annual Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative Gala Dinner proved a huge success, raising more than $70,000 to help educate Tennessee attorneys about available pro bono opportunities and start new programs.

Counsel On Call's Andy Branham and Candice Reed (pictured at left with Memphis mayor AC Wharton) are very involved in the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA)'s Access To Justice program and helped coordinate the June 12 Gala Dinner. More than 200 people attended the event, which included a Counsel On Call-sponsored VIP cocktail reception.

Speakers included Supreme Court Chief Justice William Barker, Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper, International Paper general counsel Maura Smith, Memphis mayor AC Wharton and Nashville mayor Bill Purcell.

If you would like to learn more about the program or available pro bono opportunities in Tennessee, please contact Andy in Memphis or Candice in Nashville.

Bullet Points

Claudia Richardson and Heather Sudbury (New Admittees Breakfast Committee), Keltie Peay (co-chair of Mentoring Committee), and Candice Reed (Newsletter Editor) were each recently elected and/or appointed to positions within LAW, the Lawyers' Association for Women, Marion Griffin Chapter ...

Bobby Marquez, an artist managed by Counsel On Call Attorneys Tamara Alan and Pamela Browne, performed to a big crowd at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville on June 9...

Several Counsel On Call employees participated in the Country Music Marathon in Nashville on April 28, including Jane Allen, Laurie Jewett, Alison LaRue, Claudia Richardson and Casey Randall...

Jane Allen was a finalist for the Ernst & Young 'Entrepreneur of the Year' Award for the Alabama/ Georgia/Tennessee region, an incredible honor that recognizes the spirit and energy behind Counsel On Call ...

The list of attorneys eligible for holiday pay grew by 10 on Memorial Day and 14 people recently qualified for the 401k program. If you have questions about your eligibility for these or other benefits, contact Christie Ferrell ...

Physical trainer Wesley Adams reports that 22 people are taking advantage of the Health & Wellness Program in Nashville and Atlanta and the program will likely be available in Chicago and Memphis in the coming months. If you're interested in signing up and getting in shape for the last weeks of summer, contact Kendra Rodgers to begin the process ...

A Work of Art

Terry Jaramillo obviously has an eye for detail.

As a paralegal working on a reciprocal receivership case, she often spends her days sifting through piles of old medical claims and policy files, looking for a name or number among thousands of similar forms. Away from work, Terry is a talented artist, inspired by her Spanish and Native American roots, who makes intricate beaded jewelry and silk paintings.

"I think that's part of what I like, doing things that require detail," she said, noting that she was recently commissioned to create a giant rosary for a local Catholic Church that required more than 71,000 beads to make.

Terry has worked with Counsel On Call for four years and usually spends five or six hours per week on her art. She has shows in various locations throughout Tennessee, New Mexico, Georgia and Indiana, and is a regular at craft fairs throughout the region. Alegria in East Nashville sells her beaded jewelry and Artisan Street in San Francisco markets her silk paintings. She draws inspiration for much of her artwork from her Apache great-grandfather and Spanish great-grandmother.

"As a little girl I remember watching my great-grandfather make necklaces and bracelets and my great-grandmother work on crochet, and it obviously made quite an impression on me," she said. "It's very delicate and time-consuming work, but I really enjoy doing it."

Terry was never ready to quit her paralegal day job, however. Originally from Grants, NM, she worked in the Albuquerque district attorney's office for more than 12 years before moving to Tennessee. She's worked with Farmer & Luna on the reciprocal receivership

case for more than three years now, liquidating three insurance companies.

"It's different than anything I've ever done before and that's why I like it," she said, pointing to endless rows of legal boxes in a room affectionately called 'The Dungeon' in her Union Station office. "Sometimes it's like finding a needle in a haystack, but there are times when we're really helping people."

Terry also appreciates the flexibility of the situation, as she can leave to set up an art exhibit when needed or get home at a regular hour to work on her art. She can also decide on short notice to visit her newly engaged daughter in Georgia or work on a political campaign, as she did last year for Harold Ford, Jr. She is also a member of the Lupus Foundation and is presently designing the programs and posters for the Lupus Walk in October.

"I have a great administrator who appreciates my situation; I like the work and have time for all of the other things in my life. It's a great fit for me."

Just another detail that doesn't escape Terry's eye.

Office Locations

Atlanta

1180 Peachtree Street NE

Suite 2620

Atlanta, GA 30309

404.591.5828

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Charlotte
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Chicago

30 South Wacker Drive

Suite 2200

Chicago, IL 60606