December 2007

Issue Editor’s Column

By Heidi Parry Stern, Esq.

At this time of year, our thoughts naturally turn to spending quality time with family and friends, and our sights are set on goals for the new year.  This month's Nevada Lawyer has been prepared with this focus in mind.

Everyone with a busy professional life and important personal and family obligations struggles to maintain perspective, and to achieve the perfect balance of accomplishment and enjoyment in life.  This is not always easy to do, but it is inspiring to realize that many have found ways to do just this. 

We hope you enjoy reading the profiles of several Nevada lawyers who have combined the practice of law with some truly demanding and rewarding activities.  From acting to singing, and from horse racing to mountain-climbing, these lawyers demonstrate how to combine a life in the law with other passions. 

Also included in this month's issue is an article on stress relief and avoidance to help you get through the holidays and into the new year. The author, Jay Foonberg, has drawn on his extensive experience lecturing and writing in this area and has included several tips on managing life and practice so as to maximize both.

Jasmine Mehta, chair of the Young Lawyers Section, has contributed an article from professional coach Cordell Parvin that further promotes this month's theme of combining career success with life fulfillment. The article gives specific advice on how to achieve both.

We hope that these articles provide you with a helpful starting point for any new year's resolutions that you might have and that they serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a healthy perspective on life and work as the holiday season continues.  Best wishes from the Nevada Lawyer Editorial Board for happy holiday season and a wonderful new year!

Heidi Parry Stern is a native of Las Vegas.  She is of counsel in the appellate practice group at Lewis and Roca (formerly Beckley Singleton).  Prior to practicing appellate law in Nevada, she clerked for the Honorable Johnnie Rawlinson on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and practiced general commercial litigation in New York City.