Writing and publishing a book is a daunting challenge, especially when wrapping up over 25 years as a legal administrator.  That’s right, I’m changing careers to become a full time writer, editor, publisher.  My law firm is very supportive so my goodbye is a long one, with many transitions and details to be handled.

The firm hosted a great book signing event for me — I was signing books for over three hours!  Knowing and working with the lawyers and staff for over 11 years, I wanted to make sure each note had a personal touch.  What an honor to sign a novel for partners and associates who write brilliantly every day.  Each word a lawyer writes is precisely crafted; each nuance of meaning is thought through and dissected.  As I mention in the Acknowledgments of my novel, my mother asked me how I learned to write.  I like to think that the lawyers taught me — by reading their work, by writing for them, and through their constructive criticism (lawyers are good at that!).

Many years ago at an Association of Legal Administrators luncheon at the Rainbow Room in Manhattan, Ann Richards, (now deceased and then the Governor of Texas), was the guest speaker.  She said that a legal administrator does his/her job in support of lawyers who are doing their jobs — upholding the Constitution of the United States.  Her words resonated with me and allowed me to see the importance of the work I did.  I’m proud to have worked with so many talented and interesting people.  Each firm, each partner, associate, manager, staff member who has crossed my path has enriched my life.

To borrow from the format of my book, I’d like to use a lyric here to describe my experiences as a legal administrator.  But Kenneth Higney, permissions expert, won’t let me … so I’ll just say, I had the time of my life.