The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Local lawyer joins Ann Arbor law firm
Manchester office will remain open, serve as branch for consultation
By Daniel Lai, Editor
PUBLISHED: June 7, 2007
Veronica White, a long-time Manchester resident and family law attorney was recently hired to join the team of the Ann Arbor-based firm Marrs & Terry.
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"I am ecstatic about the whole job offer and division situation. I'm sure it will be a minor change for Manchester in that it is changing a solo practioner's office into a law firm division," White said.
According to Tricia Terry, the firm hired White due to her personal business experience.
"We've dealt with her before in different cases where she was opposing council," she said. "We were looking for someone with not only legal experience but was also a self-starter and someone who had a good outlook on the business side of operations."
Terry said White's office in Manchester will not close and will be used as a branch office where White will still meet with clients and use as a satellite office.
"We're one of the largest firms in this area that specializes in bankruptcy law. We wanted to expand outward to cover more and Veronica brings her experience with family law to our group," she said.
By partnering with Marrs & Terry, White said the new position will give Manchester residents more legal options to work with.
"... I have had to refer out on all matters but family law, adoptions, estate planning, contract and landlord/tenant law," she said. "I get a lot of calls from residents requesting certain areas, such as bankruptcies, that they now will be able to have done via the Ann Arbor or Manchester office of Marrs & Terry instead of having to wonder if they will have a good fit with one of my referrals elsewhere."
White said a number of personal reasons came into play when she was offered the job with the firm.
"My husband works for Pfizer and they are leaving Ann Arbor. Though we aren't worried about his job prospects, me not having fringe benefits in my own practice could have become a real hassle for us down the road," she said. "I also like the idea of having other attorneys around to fill in for me when I am overwhelmed and to bounce ideas off of."
White said although she is moving to a larger firm, she is not worried about losing her local identity among the Manchester community.
"My name should be out there just as much as it was before due to word of mouth on a higher volume of clients and from practicing more in other counties," she said. "An active associate has their name out there even if they aren't a partner. I am going to stay listed and set my call forwarding to the firm so that those unaware of this change can still easily find me by my name."
"I am also looking to having a break on business ownership for a change. Counting the DVD Revolution, I have had to be in charge of the endless business ownership responsibilities for six years now."
Terry said the firm is happy with White's decision to join.
"It's a good fit for us and for the people not only of Manchester but all of our coverage area," she said. "It's just another resource for our clients to have. More people mean more ideas can be bounced off of each other."
White said all of her current clients will retain her counsel.
"My current clients come with me without any changes as well as any closed cases that wish to re-open them under my care," she said. "Added to that mix are the new clients coming in from all over due to Marrs & Terry's extensive advertising in Washtenaw, Jackson, Livingston, Oakland and Wayne counties."
White said she has several goals in the coming months with her new position.
"My primary goal for the firm is that its family law department grows tremendously with me there. I also add practice areas to their list that they usually have been deferring on as well," she said.
White said she feels the change has been a good decision and wise career move.
"This is a fun firm to work at and I already feel at home," she said. "Tricia is an immediate 'do-er', just like me. It's not a big secret that I take an idea and go from zero to 90 in about 45 seconds."
"They haven't even seen my office yet and already plan on taking it over. I am designed to be in a strong and decisive firm."
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