Washington Lawyer - July 2017 - 39

BUILDING RESERVE FUND THE LEADERSHIP
Upon the recommendation of its Finance
ACADEMY
Committee in 2009, the D.C. Bar established a
building reserve fund in preparation for future
office expenses. After considerable deliberation, the
decision was made to build a new, state-of-the-art
home at 901 4th Street NW. Former D.C. Bar chief
operating officer Victor L. Velazquez explains that
the new 100,000-square-foot development will
create space for lawyers to convene, network,
and learn.
"Its spaces are being designed with the latest technologies, which can adapt as technology adapts,"
says Velazquez, who continues to be involved in
the construction project. "We also recognized that
given the fact that over 40,000 members reside
outside of the D.C. metro area, we wanted to broadcast the rich experiences and learning that occurs
onsite by launching a full video production studio."
One of the huge financial benefits of this purchase,
Velazquez says, is a projected savings of $28.32
million in occupancy costs for the Bar over the next
30 years.
"We were sitting in an expensive part of the country,
real estate-wise, which translated into a significant
occupancy expense in the form of rent for the Bar,"
Velazquez explains. "In fact, over the past 20 years,
the average lease rate increase was 2.94 percent,
and so occupancy costs were absorbing a healthy
portion of [the Bar's] operating expense."
The Bar also is expected to benefit from future
equity, which further makes the purchase a good
vehicle for investment. Construction is expected to
be completed by early 2018.

In 2013 the D.C. Bar graduated its inaugural class
of the John Payton Leadership Academy, an intensive training program that helps lawyers develop
and sharpen essential leadership skills. The
Academy's three full-day sessions include teambuilding activities, strategy projects, and insights
from community members.

D.C. Bar Presidents
2010-11

Ronald S. Flagg

2011-12

Darrell G. Mottley

2012-13

"What makes a great lawyer does not necessarily
make a great leader," D.C. Bar Senior Staff Attorney
Rebecca Gilliam explains. "Lawyers work, live, and
breathe in an adversarial world. Their work is usually
full of conflict with opposing sides and a narrow
focus. In contrast, an effective and strong leader
is one who brings people together to accomplish
a common goal. A good leader is collaborative and
positive, inspiring others to work toward a shared
vision. The Academy not only teaches these skills,
but it also emphasizes self-awareness."

Thomas S. Williamson Jr.

So far, 76 Bar members from diverse legal backgrounds, including the nonprofit sector, small
practices, large firms, and mid-size boutiques,
have graduated from the Academy.

2017-18

2013-14

Andrea C. Ferster
2014-15

Brigida Benitez

2015-16

Timothy K. Webster
2016-17

Annamaria Steward
Patrick McGlone

"It's a wonderful way for us to train a cadre of
younger lawyers who are our members and who
will be leaders of the future," says Mazzaferri.
Participants also gain hands-on experience working
at the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center's Advice and Referral
Clinic. Speaking with Washington Lawyer in 2013,
inaugural class graduate David William Arrojo, then
an associate at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, said
the Academy enabled him to realize a very important point: "Every scenario - no matter the size of
Kim M. Keenan

we look toward 2020, I believe the
" As
Bar will have a clear digital imprint that

provides options to members on how to
engage with each other and the legal
community at large.

KIM M. KEENAN
D.C. Bar President, 2009-10

2015 (continued)
Supreme Court rules that same-sex couples
have the fundamental right to marry.
Fred Sainz (front, left) from the Human Rights Campaign and Jim Obergefell,
plaintiff in Obergefell v. Hodges, walk to the U.S. Supreme Court on
March 6, 2015.

2016
Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia
dies at age 79.
*

WASHINGTON LAWYER

JULY 2017 39

http://www.dcbar.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Washington Lawyer - July 2017