at CCBA - Clark County Bar Association

GETTING TO KNOW:
LISA DARCO
“Getting to Know” is a monthly feature designed to better acquaint
the membership with our local attorneys, judges and other people of
interest to the Clark County bench and bar. This month’s subject is
CCBA Office Manager, Lisa Darco.
Where did you grow up and how did you end
up in Vancouver?
I grew up in Camas and am a proud Papermaker! My parents,
sister and brother and their families live in the
Camas/Washougal area and I still attend every home football
game and proudly wear the black and red! I moved to Vancouver
in 2002 after I got married.
How did find your way to the CCBA office?
I ended up in the CCBA office with a little bit of luck and a
whole lot of prayer! I spent the past 20 years as a professional
nanny. I’m very proud of my nanny career and loved all the
opportunities it provided me as I traveled and explored my
way trough my twenties! After I married into a ready made
family I was able to spend lots of time with my kids, now nearly
20 and 17. Feeling the empty nest creep up on us, I decided to
stretch my wings and try something new. I’ve always been an
organizer and a planner and I really wanted to find something
“administrative” for my second career. I found out about the
opening in the CCBA office from a dear friend who is a local
attorney and due to my stellar resume (and more than a little
desperation on their end), here I am!
What are the best and worst things about interacting
with local attorneys and prosecutors?
I’ve had nothing but great interactions so far (knock wood)!
Everyone has been very friendly and welcoming.
What has been the biggest lesson of your
career in the CCBA office?
In my 6 week tenure, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that
managing the office is not that much different than nanny-ing
in many respects! Lots of multi-tasking, quick thinking and
more than a few reminders rule the days!
What activities do you enjoy in your spare time?
In my spare time I love to read, cook, spend time with my
family and I occasionally make some crazy good cupcakes.
Favorite vacation destination (or dream vacation)?
I love camping with my family. We love the beach and hope to
retire somewhere along the Oregon Coast when we’re old
and wrinkly.
What would you attempt to do if you
knew that you could not fail?
If I knew I couldn’t fail, I would absolutely open a bakery.
I’d hire my mom who’s a phenomenal cook, my sister who
could make a cardboard box feel like the loveliest and most
welcoming home, my brother who is an amazing cook and
the hardest worker I’ve ever known and we would bake
mountains of treats and probably have to go nationwide
because of our awesomeness.
Describe a few pet peeves of yours.
I’m really annoyed by lateness and bad manners.
What do you know now that you wish someone
had told you 10 years ago?
I’m not so sure it’s what I didn’t know as much as what I didn’t
believe. Who knew that having kids was really as hard as I was
told? Who knew it really was a good idea to savor those carefree
days of youth and not long for being a “grown-up”? Who
knew that although wonderful and rewarding, owning a home
involved so much stress? Who knew?
What childhood event shaped or scarred you the most?
I moved to Boston when I was 18 years old to take my first
nanny job. Leaving behind my small town and super close
knit family for the bright lights and big city changed me.
I like to think it was for the better! Moving away gave me a
real appreciation for my home and family and gave me a new
perspective on the number of opportunities available. I hope
my kids take advantage of all their potential and have big
adventures like that!!
HEARSAY - OCTOBER 2011 19