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Attorney By Attorney Career Profiles of the Profession Who? Patricia A. Garcia pagarcia@pagarcialaw.com What? Primary Practice Area & Subspecialty Fields: Estate Planning, Wills, Successions, with a small number of Real Estate closings. When? Years in Practice Area: Since 1990 Years in the Legal Profession: Since 1980 Where? Employer: Self Size/Sector: Solo City, State: New Orleans, LA Law School: Loyola University New Orleans, J.D. Undergraduate School/Degree: University of New Orleans, B.A. in History Why? Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area: Retired from litigation practice after 15 years, and am enjoying the more relaxed client-related, "helping" rather than "fighting" practice! Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area: People skills, planning orientation. Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice Area: This is an excellent area for solo and small practices. How? Career Path to Current Position: Staff attorney with federal agency in DC, federal law clerk, small businesses litigation practice, then moved into this area almost exclusively. Influences and Mentors: Liberal arts background was of great help in law school and beyond because it honed my writing skills. My first law partner taught me the business end through trial and error (and a bit of "trial by fire!) Bar Affiliations and Activities: President, New Orleans Bar Association 1992 - 93 (after serving as Chair of the Young Lawyers' Section earlier in my career); active in the ABA from Bd of Gov of Law Student Div, to YLS, to General Practice Section.