P R O F I L E
A Woman for All Seasons
Attorney Finds Success,
Fulfillment in Law,
Community and Family
by Patricia Hassard
or Lucia Anna “Pia” Trigiani, managing a thriving law practice is just one
F
component of a multi-dimensional, challenging, successful and gratifying
life that encompasses professional leadership, industry accolades,
community service and family commitment. She performs her various
roles with competence, dignity, grace and always, always with a well-
developed sense of humor.
Two years ago, Pia and her partner of more than 20 years, David S.
Mercer, decided to leave the international corporate law firm of Troutman Sanders,
where the two real estate lawyers had developed an impressive client list and achieved
a national reputation within the legal niche of community association law. Despite
professional success, they had a strong desire to leave the cocoon of a big law firm
to practice law in a different way. They wanted to create their own law firm culture,
craft their own legal marketing strategies and cultivate a roster of regional clients. In
2007, after resigning their partnerships with Troutman Sanders, they took the leap.
With 60 years of combined legal experience, professional leadership, legislative
connections and an industry reputation, they opened the doors of MercerTrigiani.
Today, the boutique real estate law firm provides corporate, litigation and public
policy legal counsel to more than 500 condominium, property owner, real estate
cooperative and timeshare owner associations, real estate developers and individual
owners throughout Virginia and Washington, D.C. The six-attorney firm operates
two offices in Richmond and Old Town Alexandria supported by a talented team
of paralegals and staff members, some of whom have worked for the attorney team
A woman for all “seasons,”
for more than 20 years.
embracing both community and family.
Trigiani explains her firm’s formula for success: “We started with a business plan
and budget, formulated with help and guidance from trusted advisors. I insisted, and
David agreed, that with our move we would continue to enjoy the same level of
benefits, technology and staff support to which we had become accustomed. We
planned carefully and found that we were able to meet and exceed budget goals
while keeping our commitment to develop and make available a competitive benefits
package. We are very excited to add a ‘workplace wellness component’ to that
package in 2010.”
Trigiani is major player in Virginia’s legal community. She currently serves as chair
of the Board of Governors for the Virginia Bar Association (VBA), a position that
places her in the line of succession as president in 2011, marking just the third time
in Virginia history that a woman has served in this position.
“The Virginia Bar Association is the standard bearer for lawyer civility and

JANUARY 2010
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