VADA Member Spotlight

This month’s spotlighted VADA member is Anna Zick of Bancroft McGavin Horvath & Judkins, P.C., in Fairfax.  In 2016, she served on the VADA’s Annual Meeting Committee.  Anna currently is a member of the VADA’s Young Lawyers Division.

1.         Where were you born?

Charleston, South Carolina

2.         Spouse? Children? Pets?

My husband is Jason Zick and we have a cat named Grace Kelly (“GK”), who has been with me since I was a sophomore at Clemson University.

3.         What type of law do you practice?

My primary practice area is personal injury defense. I have defended cases arising from motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, products liability, contract disputes, defamation, property disputes, and employment disputes. Insurance defense has led to a broader scope of work than I may have anticipated 5 years ago.

4.         How long have you been a member of VADA?

I joined VADA when I began as an associate at Bancroft McGavin Horvath & Judkins in 2013.

5.         What is the last book you read?

I wish I had an answer that made me look smart and interesting, like “Bad Blood” or “Outliers.” The true answer is Jurassic Park. 

6.         How would you explain to a three year old what you do for a living?

I help you when you get in trouble, when it is your fault and when it is not.

7.         What is the one item you cannot live without?

It depends on the setting. I do alright without the phone and appreciate opportunities to disconnect. In day-to-day life, however, my phone is the only object that is consistently with me. If it’s a Saturday or I’m on vacation, my phone may get left behind.

8.         What is at the top of your bucket list?

My husband and I try to prioritize “outdoor” travel. We found a great company that puts together treks all over the world. So far we’ve targeted the trips where we can fly direct to keep things simple. I think the bucket list trips for me are to more remote places that require more travel time. The Patagonia region is up there for me.

9.         What do you like most about practicing law?

I like the variation in the work. I can argue a motion in federal court on Monday and attend an inspection in a chicken factory on Tuesday. Doing the same thing every day could be tedious and there is little risk of monotony in our practice.

10.       What have you enjoyed most about your time in VADA?

I always enjoy attending the annual meeting. I really value having access to great CLE programming that is so relevant to my practice and I appreciate the opportunity to meet and speak with other members.

11.       Do you have a favorite movie quote?

I don’t have a favorite quote and this isn’t from a movie, but I do watch Game of Thrones and I liked the recent line:

“What do we say to the God of Death?” – “Not today.”  

12.       What was the first concert you attended?

Jack Johnson at “The Joe” in Charleston, SC

13.       Who inspires you and why?

I look up to my two older sisters. They are very different, but perhaps equally strong willed. I’ve always admired Julie’s intelligence, wit, and work ethic, as well as Kits’ courage, empathy and creativity. They’ve demonstrated to me that there are different ways to approach a problem and to rely on your strengths.

14.       When I am not at the office, I like to …

Be on the water. I’m a Lowcountry girl at heart. Whether it’s the Shenandoah, the Chesapeake Bay or the Atlantic Ocean, I like to be by the water.

15.       If I wasn’t practicing law, I would be …

I’d probably be a high school teacher. But who knows, if I’d listened to my uncle I’d be a civil engineer.

16.       What advice would you give someone who just passed the bar?

Ask for opportunities. Ask to take the deposition. Ask to meet with the expert. Ask to sit second chair or to cover a motions hearing. Often our mentors are very busy people and may not realize we are ready to take on more responsibility unless we tell them.  We have to take ownership of our own professional development. If there are skills you want to develop, seek out ways to develop them.

17.       What is your guilty pleasure?

For the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas I enjoy watching Hallmark movies or their Netflix equivalent. Not because they are good, but because they are bad.

18.       When is the last time you laughed so hard you cried?

John Mulaney hosted SNL recently and there were a couple of really good sketches that made me laugh so hard I cried.

19.       What is your definition of success?

Balance. If I’m great at my job but a terrible wife, daughter and friend I’m doing it wrong and need to make adjustments. I’m not always successful, but the goal is balance.