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Attorney By Attorney Career Profiles of the Profession Who? David A. Greer Principal dgreer@hnlaw.com What? Primary Practice Area & Subspecialty Fields: Business Law and Litigation; Commercial Bankruptcy (Landlord/Tenant Bankruptcy and Litigation); Commercial Real Estate. When? Years in Practice Area: Since 1984. Years in the Legal Profession: Since 1984. Where? Employer: Hofheimer Nusbaum, P.C. http://www.hnlaw.com Size/Sector: 30 City/State: Norfolk, VA Law School: Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in Virginia Undergraduate School/Degree: Washington and Lee University; B.A. in Journalism Why? Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area: This is a fast-paced area, often with a national scope. Because the courts allow a great variance in the treatment of bankruptcy issues, this practice is driven by creative problem solving with an eye to efficiency, and requires the lawyer to know the business points as well as the legal framework. Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area: One needs to survey the case law developments, mainly for a feel of the changing atmosphere, as most issues tend to be considered as new in each case. Again, knowledge of each client's business objectives and priorities in each case is essential. One must be a good negotiator and flexible, and willing to accept risks from undeterminable contingencies. Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice Area: Establish a cordial working relationship with the players in the field. Read advance sheets and pleadings in large cases. Focus on issues of real consequence to your client. How? Career Path to Current Position: I started with a good client base at my firm, and developed contacts through organizations like the ABA. Influences and Mentors: Alan J. Hofheimer, Esquire, our firm's founding partner; my partners and my colleagues at the Bar. Suggested Reading About Your Practice Area: Advance sheets and trade publications. Job Search Techniques Used in Finding Your Position(s): I was Mr. Hofheimer's paper boy. Bar Affiliations and Activities: ABA Section of Business Law (Former chair, Consumer Bankruptcy Committee and member of various committees), American Bankruptcy Institute; Virginia State Bar Association (bankruptcy and real estate sections), Tidewater Bankruptcy Bar Association (past president), James Kent American Inn of Court (past president). Recent Professional Publications: The Fee Simple (Virginia State Bar Real Property Section, 1998) "Roland v. Levin: Buyer Be Warned!" Bankruptcy Law News (Virginia State Bar Bankruptcy Section 1999), "You Must Pay the Rent/I Can't Pay the Rent: Timing of Administrative Rent Claims Arising Before Rejection Under I I U.S.C. Section 365(d)(3)11." Recent Professional Presentations: Moderator, ABA Connection teleconference on the pending Bankruptcy Reform Act, July 2001; various presentations at ABA meetings. Intriguing Interests: The Barrier Islands of Virginia's Eastern Shore.