A conversation with: Lynda Jones, Jones Law Group by: The Nashville Business Journal

Lynda Jones is principal of The Jones Law Group. She has been practicing law in both state and federal courts for 18 years and specializes in bankruptcy, business law and criminal defense.

What is the most outside-of-the-box idea you have ever had in your professional career? Opening a satellite office in Murfreesboro in 2001 with the use of live video conferencing and then ultimately selling an entire law practice to another certified consumer bankruptcy specialist. No other law firm was handling client business in this fashion at the time.

What was the result? I increased revenue 63 percent the year I opened the office and ran a more efficient operation. I was able to cut down a significant amount of travel time by conducting second meetings through live video.

What single thing makes your organization stand out? We are tenacious and advocate fiercely for our clients while keeping costs reasonable. I am compassionate and give personal attention to each and every client.

What does your organization have in the works for 2010? Further expansion and addition of another lawyer.

How did you wind up in your current position? I’m here because of my desire to have more balance in my life and more time with my daughter and family. The first law firm which employed me focused on volume not clients. Owning my own practice allows me flexibility to engage in charitable work which is important to me.

What are the most important decisions you make as a leader of your organization? How fast to grow. Uncontrolled growth can be dangerous. Steady growth is better for the clients.

What word best describes your leadership style? Focused.

Goal yet to be achieved? I would love to become a judge someday. I have spent 18 years honing my skills and believe I could serve our community well.

Professional pet peeve? People who do not return phone calls.

What keeps you up at night? Thinking about my client cases and achieving the best result possible.

What do you do to relieve stress? I enjoy cooking on the weekends. It can be very creative.

What is the simplest thing you never learned to do? Relax for more than three days. I don’t know how to enjoy a long vacation. I prefer weekend trips.

Favorite hobbies? Reading.

Pets? My dog of 17 years passed away earlier this year, and we are waiting a year before adding another pet to our home.

What trait do you value most in friends? Kindness and compassion.

Person outside of your family you would most like to spend time with on an island? Brenda Barnes, CEO of Sara Lee Corp.

You’ve just been given $100,000 to donate to charity. Where would you give it, and why? I would split it equally between several organizations: Nashville Opportunities Industrialization Center, since they provide job training to people who in turn become taxpayers and contributing citizens; Big Brothers/Big Sisters who provide invaluable support to kids who need it most; Volunteers of America/Tennessee who house mentally challenged individuals and assist them in independent living; The Mental Health Cooperative of Middle Tennessee to educate people about the stigma of mental illness; Second Harvest Food Bank, which provides meals to families in need; and Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee which aids the indigent.

When faced with two equally qualified candidates, how do you determine whom to hire? I look at the person’s work ethic. I come from a family that believes in hard work.

What would you like to cross off your “bucket list” next? Opening a microloan foundation to fund women-owned businesses in Third World countries.

What line of work would you pursue if you couldn’t work in your present one? That’s a toss up. My husband keeps trying to draft me to be CFO for a software or electric auto infrastructure company. I would join the Peace Corps as my retirement.

Organization or company other than your own that you most admire? Bone McAllester Norton PLLC. They are progressive, and they care about this community.

Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? I admire so many people here in town. I look up to the diplomacy of Byron Trauger as well as the courage of Cissy Daughtrey and Margaret Behm.

What is there about you that people would be surprised to learn? I’m an introvert in social settings which is sharply contrasted by my extroversion in a court room.

What is the one behavior or trait that you have seen derail more leaders’ careers? Ego.

They’re making a movie of your life. Is it a drama or comedy and who plays you? Both. Valerie Bertinelli.

What skill would you most like to improve? I constantly work to improve my communication skills. I learn something new every day. Communication with a jury is essential in my litigation practice.

What part of your job would you gladly give up? Telling clients bad news. Sometimes they have to lie in the beds they make.

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