Tag: Employee Spotlight

Employee Spotlight-Jonelle Cameron

Posted on by thelandlawyers
Jonelle Cameron - Employee Spotlight
Source: Jessica Pfeiffer

Average was not a word in her vocabulary growing up. “I decided I wanted to become an attorney when I was 12,” says Jonelle, “and my mother did everything in her power to make sure I was successful.” Encouraged to leave her small New England town when it came time for college, Jonelle set out for the nation’s capital and a career in real estate law.

The Land Lawyers: Your mom encouraged you not to apply to any state schools?
Jonelle Cameron: That’s right. I was born and raised in a small town in Massachusetts and my mom wanted me to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. She gently nudged me out of the nest (and state) because she knew it would broaden my horizons.

TLL: You graduated magna cum laude from Howard University and earned your J.D. at The George Washington University School of Law. If you weren’t practicing law, what would you be doing?
JC: I thought I wanted to be a marine biologist but in the 7th grade I went on a whale watching trip and was seasick the entire time. That ended that career option.

TLL: How did you decide to become an attorney?
JC: One afternoon after school, I was at home watching Oprah with my grandmother. The show was about children who were abused by their parents. I remember one girl specifically. Her parents had kept her locked inside a dog cage and they received minimal sentencing after being found guilty of child abuse. I looked at my grandmother and told her I wanted to be an advocate for children like the girl on TV. Up until my first year of law school that was my goal. After I took family law, I realized how hard it would be to keep my emotions in check. At that point, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. In fact, I had taken a class in Property Law and wasn’t sure I liked that either.

TLL: What changed your mind?
JC: I believe that everything happens for a reason and God puts you in certain places at the perfect time. I had an internship at a law firm where the partner I was working with served as general counsel for a variety of restaurants in the D.C. area. I really enjoyed the work and that’s when I knew I wanted to focus on real estate. I also did an externship at the District of Columbia Housing Authority which reinforced my interest and gave me hands-on experience with land use.

TLL: How long have you been with Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C.?
JC: I have been with the firm a little over two years. When I first met with Lou Haley, the firm administrator, he gave me a tour of the Arlington office and introduced me to the staff and shareholders. When we got to Nan Walsh’s office I could see a number of cranes and construction projects from her window. Lou pointed out the projects, and there were many, that Nan had gotten approved.

TLL: Why do you think Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh is a great place to work?
JC: I work on a number of developments in Prince William County. Today, just like when I first started, when I drive around with my family I find myself pointing out the projects that either I or someone in the office is working on or has received approval for. I know that the work I do has a positive impact on the future of Prince William County and Northern Virginia. The plans and projects our firm is involved with have a positive influence on the community and shape the future of the region. Right now, I am working on a variety of cases ranging from religious institutions to a gas station.

TLL: Is Prince William County definitely home now?
JC: It’s where I call home now, but I was born and raised in Massachusetts and I will always be a New England Patriots fan. Last year, during the Super Bowl, my husband and I hosted a party and I was completely outnumbered. After the last play of the game, I was literally jumping for joy. My husband had to remind me I wasn’t a kid anymore and was not allowed to jump on the furniture.

TLL: Do you have a hero? Heroine?
JC: Absolutely, my mom. It may be cliché but she is. She had me at a young age and always encouraged me to do my best. She believed in my dreams.

TLL: What do you do in your spare time?
JC: What is spare time? I used to hate going to the gym, but my 9-year-old participates in every sport possible so when I can get there I have found it’s a great stress reliever and I really enjoy it.

TLL: If you could travel anywhere in the world (or universe) where would you go?
JC: Tahiti.

TLL: Do you have a favorite meal?
JC: I am a foodie. I love food! I shouldn’t need any help with this one, but it is a hard decision. I guess it would be Fettuccini Alfredo with shrimp and broccoli.

TLL: There is definitely nothing average about your accomplishments. Thank you, Jonelle.

Employee Spotlight – Michael Romeo

Posted on by thelandlawyers
Photograph of Michael Romeo
Source: WCL&W

From an early age, middle school to be exact, Mike was a man with a plan … and more than a few schematics and diagrams. Most of them—cities and stadiums—were scribbled on the back and inside covers of his notebooks.  “I know my teachers and parents didn’t always appreciate me drawing during class, but I certainly enjoyed it.”

Even before he graduated from Appalachian State, Mike knew he wanted to pursue a master’s degree in land use planning. During his junior and senior years at Appalachian, he served as the student representative on the Town of Boone Planning Commission and participated in a volunteer internship with the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning. Those two experiences taught Mike the value and magnitude of a graduate degree in the planning field. He chose Clemson University to pursue a Master of City and Regional Planning degree because of the small class sizes and one-on-one interaction with his professors. “I couldn’t have asked for better learning environments and opportunities than those provided by both schools.”

In 2007, Mike moved back to Reston and lived there for seven years. For more than three years, he served on the Reston Planning and Zoning Committee, including two years as Vice Chairman and Chairman. Last year, Mike and his wife, Paula, moved to Herndon where he now serves as a member of the Town of Herndon Planning Commission. “I thoroughly enjoy my interaction with the members of these bodies and the ability to serve the locality in which I live. There are always opportunities to implement good planning practices and I hope to be able to continue to provide a positive influence on planning processes in the future.”

Mike has been with Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh since 2004. His knowledge of planning, involvement in the community and local government, and innate interest in land use and planning benefits the firm, our clients, and the areas we serve. Like most good planners, Mike had a back-up plan.

The Land Lawyers: What would you be doing if you weren’t at Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh?
Mike Romeo: If I weren’t a land use planner, I’d be serving as a National Park Service Ranger.

TLL: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Mike Romeo: The most enjoyable aspect of my job is helping clients achieve their goals. Whether it’s a large corporation or a small business, there’s little that can replace the feeling of joy and satisfaction expressed by a client who has just received their necessary legislative approvals. Helping clients achieve their goals is our business and I take exceptional pride in providing the best client service possible.

TLL: You knew from a very early age this would be a rewarding career.
MR: Yes. One of the most rewarding aspects of this job is the ever-changing environment of land use planning and real estate development in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties. No matter which project I’m working on, there’s always something that distinguishes it from other projects. The pace of growth in Northern Virginia is astounding. When I was growing up in Reston, we had to drive to the City of Fairfax or Tysons Corner for the majority of our retail and entertainment needs. Now, I don’t need to venture more than two miles to find anything I could possibly need.

TLL: What are you working on these days?
MR: I’m working on a number of residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties. The applications run the gamut from multi-generational residential projects to commercial rezonings and concept plan amendments to special exceptions for adaptive reuse projects.

In Loudoun County, the current Board of Supervisors has implemented a number of zoning ordinance amendments to encourage business development. Beginning in January 2016, five new members will join the Board. Current Board members have publicly indicated that amendments to the Revised General Plan could be forthcoming during the Board’s next term. Loudoun County is at a crossroads. Based on current zoning, there is less than a decade’s worth of single-family lot supply in the County to meet the estimated demand. According to the Metropolitan Council of Governments, the County’s population is projected to grow from 367,957 in 2015 to 484,498 by 2040. There is simply not enough land that is properly planned or zoned in the eastern portion of the County to accommodate this level of growth. It remains to be seen how the next Board will approach land development, but there could be some significant Revised General Plan amendments proposed to address the new land development realities facing the County.

TLL: Back in middle school, when you were drafting stadium plans, did you have a sports team in mind?
MR: I’m a long suffering D.C. sports fan. Having grown up in this area, I’ve developed an affinity for all of the local professional sports teams. I was a Caps season ticket holder for nine years and I regularly attend Nats games. I have a passion for college football, in particular, Appalachian State, Clemson, and Navy. There’s nothing quite like tailgating on a beautiful fall Saturday in anticipation of a matchup on the gridiron.

TLL: What do you like to do in your spare time?
MR: I play a range of sports throughout the year to stay active. The ones I most enjoy are flag football, floor hockey, basketball, and softball. When I’m at home, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two dogs, reading, in particular historical novels and biographies, and working outdoors in the yard. When I’m outside of the area, I enjoy backpacking, skiing, and visiting various cities and sites throughout the United States and abroad.

TLL: What part of the world, or universe, would you most like to visit?
MR: I have no interest in leaving this planet, so I would say a trip to New Zealand is high on my list of places to visit.

Employee Spotlight

Posted on by thelandlawyers
Source: Jessica Pfeiffer
Source: Jessica Pfeiffer

Eileen grew up across the river in Montgomery County and moved to Virginia after graduating from Miami University in Ohio. She planned on pursuing a career in education, but in the late 1970s there were few schools hiring home economics teachers. Eileen returned home, moved to Virginia, and landed a job in retail where she met her husband. They settled in Prince William County and Eileen applied for a job at a law firm. Neither a shareholder nor a Land Lawyer at that point, Jay du Von hired Eileen as his legal assistant. When Jay made the move to Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, he brought Eileen with him. “She is the only assistant I have worked with for the past 30 years,” said Jay. “She’s that good! She has incredible patience and is an asset to the firm.”

When she’s not in the office, Eileen spends quality time with family and friends. She enjoys taking walks and reading and is a great cook. Her favorite pastimes are visiting historical sites and wineries, going to the beach, and attending community events. Eileen also loves to garden but adds this disclaimer: “I don’t have the greenest thumb.” We asked Eileen to tell us a bit more about herself. Here’s what she said.

The Land Lawyers: You’ve worked for Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh for a long time and have known Jay even longer.
Eileen Evans: Yes, my twentieth anniversary with the firm is coming up in March. I still work with Jay, but I also work for Mike Lubeley and Marian Harders and am the office manager of the firm’s Prince William office.

TLL: I’d say you’ve cultivated some very long-term relationships then. What keeps you motivated?
EE: The possibility of learning something new each day.

TLL: Do you have a most memorable moment with the firm?
EE: There is always something interesting going on case-wise in our office. It’s hard to pick one in particular.

TLL: Do you have the opportunity to interact with clients during the day and, if so, how?
EE: I do. I have a lot of interaction with the staff from the Counties and Cities where we work because I coordinate the calendars and schedules for Jay, Mike, and Marian. I have direct contact with our clients, who are very busy people and extremely important to us.

TLL: If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?
EE: I’d love to be a professional student!

TLL: What’s your favorite sports team?
EE: The Redskins, despite their trials and tribulations.

TLL: What are your favorite things?
EE: My cats are probably my favorite things. They rule the Evans house!

TLL: If you could travel anywhere in the world (or universe) where would you go?
EE: First on my list is Ireland. My husband and I plan to go sometime soon. Italy is a close second.

TLL: Who do you admire most?
EE: The one person I admire most is Abraham Lincoln, but I also truly admire all of the women who have broken barriers and fought for equality, access to education, and a better life for themselves and their families. Their stories amaze and inspire me.

TLL: Do you have a favorite song?
EE: I am a bit old-school so I love musicals. My all-time favorite song is “People” from “Funny Girl.”

TLL: Why do you think Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh is a great place to work?
EE: It is rather cliché. It’s because of our clients and my co-workers. These are great people to be around! Everyone in the office cares about doing a great job for our clients and understands that by working together we produce the results our clients expect. And, it’s pretty cool to look around Prince William County and see how the work we do has had such a positive effect on the development of this County.

TLL: This may sound cliché as well, but I’d say your career with The Land Lawyers has flourished along with the firm. Congratulations, Eileen!

Employee Spotlight

Posted on by thelandlawyers
Picture
Source: Susan Lynch

When she’s not fielding calls, tracking packages (and attorneys), or ordering supplies—in other words, keeping the office operating in tip-top shape—Judy’s is the first face you will see and voice you will hear at Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C.’s Arlington office.  Raising nine children has taught Judy a lot about values and work ethic. The same principles she instilled in her family are the ones she brings to the office every day. “I know that I’m the first person our clients, or potential clients, come in contact with. I make sure they are treated with respect and that they know I understand their needs are important and, often, immediate.”

When Judy isn’t in the office, she enjoys visiting family and rooting for the home team. We asked her to tell us a little more about herself and here’s how she answered this reporter’s questions.

The Land Lawyers: What do you like most about your job?
Judy Wellard: The people. Definitely the people. Especially those who work here, but also the visitors who come through the door and those who call. We work with a diverse group of clients and although I don’t know all of them personally, I know a lot of them by name and if they do come into the office it’s always a pleasure to greet them in person.

TLL: How long have you worked for Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh?
JW: Almost 6 years. Since January 2010. Not only do I greet callers and visitors but I also assist the legal secretaries with mailings and I make sure the offices are communicating with each other regarding meeting schedules and shipping and receiving packages.

TLL: Who would you like to have lunch with?
JW: I’m not sure, too many choices.

TLL: If you could travel anywhere in the world (or universe) where would you go?
JW: Australia and New Zealand.

TLL: What’s your favorite sports team?
JW: All the local teams, especially the Nats.

TLL: What was your favorite subject in grade school?
JW: Math and English grammar.

TLL: Coffee or Tea?
JW: Coffee.

TLL: Who do you admire most?
JW: I have two people in mind and they are both from Halifax, Nova Scotia. One was a World War I vet who was completely paralyzed and blind but was still motivated to design buses for other disabled veterans as well as disabled people in general. The other is my cousin. She was born with cerebral palsy and is now in her late 60s. She is fed through a feeding tube, can’t dress herself, and speaks with difficulty, but she has participated in Special Olympics and is able to get out and about, all over the city of Halifax, to church and other places, in her motorized wheelchair which she handles herself. I admire people who never give up in the face of adversity.