Member Spotlight
For 20 years, Richard and Mary Ann Oliver have practiced law side by side. This husband and wife duo have offices in Washington, D.C. and in Reston, Va.
The Oliver's each practice in both offices. The Washington, D.C. practice has focused on the representation of national corporations and consortiums of companies in federal matters. That office has also provided legal back up to lobbyists. By contrast, the Virginia office has focused on the representation of small local businesses.
The duo met in law school. After graduation, they practiced with separate organizations for a number of years. Mary Ann did legal work related to the financing of power plants located throughout the country and Richard was a litigator before the federal appellate courts. Prior to founding their law firm, Mary Ann was an assistant director at the Securities and Exchange Commission where she managed an office of attorneys and financial analysts and Richard was a partner rising the ladder at a large Washington, D.C. law firm. The Olivers recall this period as quintessential Washington -- a time of very long work hours followed by rounds of cocktail parties, Capitol Hill parties, dinner parties and restaurant socializing.
Eventually, the couple was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and wanted to form their own law firm. They hoped they would be able to manage their schedules better and find more time to spend with their two sons. The establishment of their own firm proved to be a great move that allowed for greater balance in their lives.
Richard discusses practicing law with his wife. "It may not be for every couple, but practicing law with Mary Ann was a perfect fit. She is a fine lawyer in her own right and we have a professional synergy. She brought the experience needed to put the transactions together that our large corporate clients wanted and I had the experience with the regulations that applied to those transactions. We both had an understanding of the corporate world through our prior work experience. A shared common approach and vision allowed us to build a small Washington boutique firm with a national practice."
Mary Ann, a board member of and legal counsel to the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, received the prestigious Chairman's Award from the Chamber in February in recognition of her donation of a great many hours of legal work to the Chamber last year toward achieving the goal of a legal name change from Herndon Dulles Chamber to Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce. Claims president/CEO of the Chamber Eileen Curtis, "Mary Ann was a pivotal force in implementing the Chamber's expansion last year, guiding us through a regional transition plan involving numerous legal filings and the resolution of many legal issues."
What does Mary Ann believe is the biggest issue affecting the legal profession? "Members of the bar need to be reminded that practicing law, like medicine, is a profession that has incidental business aspects. It is not a business."
What's her biggest challenge in running a small law firm? "Integrating changing technology into the practice of law."
Her advice to small businesses trying to grow? "'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'" Don't scrimp on the things you need to run a business, including legal and accounting advice. Paying professionals to do it right is far less costly than litigation."
Do the Oliver's talk law at home? "Rarely," says Mary Ann. "We are too busy enjoying each other and our lives. We travel, visit out-of-town friends and relatives, enjoy cultural events, and regularly have friends over for dinner and conversation. In spring and fall, our weekends are taken up with baseball. Richard still plays hardball with a team of 20 and 30-year-olds!"
What about those two sons they wanted to spend more time with when they started their own firm? Well, the oldest is a physician in residency training and the youngest son is a lawyer who will be playing on his dad's baseball team next year.
To learn more, visit www.oliverandoliverpc.com or call Mary Ann Oliver or Richard Oliver at (703) 904-4347.
