The Power of Monotasking: Reclaiming Focus in a Distracted World – A Book Discussion of The Twelve Monotasks by Thatcher Wine (Presented by the Federal Bar Association)

Thatcher Wine , Founder & CEO | Juniper Books

Thatcher Wine is a creative entrepreneur, speaker, and author, best known for his book The Twelve Monotasks: Do One Thing at a Time to Do Everything Better, which explores the power of focused living in the digital age. He is also the coauthor of For the Love of Books: Designing and Curating a Home Library. Since founding Juniper Books in 2001, Thatcher has pioneered the design of custom book sets and libraries, blending literature and visual art to transform how books are experienced in homes and public spaces. In 2023, he launched Juniper Custom, further expanding his vision to serve interior designers, collectors, and readers worldwide.

A passionate advocate for print books as a form of self-care and intentional living, Thatcher has delivered talks including a TED Talk titled “The Books We Keep, the Stories We Tell.” His philosophy of monotasking emerged from personal and professional challenges—including a battle with cancer—and has shaped his mission to promote mindful, purposeful living.

A graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in History and Art History, Thatcher previously worked in strategy consulting, investment banking, and early internet ventures before fully embracing his role as a literary innovator. He holds a U.S. patent for custom book jackets and has been praised by Departures magazine as “the man who brought back the library.”

Thatcher lives in Colorado with his two children and enjoys skiing, hiking, and time in nature.

T.J. McGrath, General Counsel | Medicare Payment Advisory Commission

T.J. McGrath serves as the General Counsel for the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission advising the Executive Director on legal and business matters. Prior to MedPAC, she was the General Counsel at the Congressional Budget Office, and Associate General Counsel for the TRICARE Management Activity now the Defense Health Agency. She served 12 years on active duty with the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps and 18 years as a reservist.

T.J. co-founded Ardaithe Consulting LLC, developing tailored durable soft skills training for leadership and staff. Specializing in Resiliency Training, Resolving Workplace Disputes, and Leading Teams, she has deployed training modules on Ethics, Sexual Harassment, Bystander Intervention, Mindfulness, and De-escalation.

For the FBA she currently serves on the Professional Development Committee and is a member of the Labor and Employment Law Section.

I. Key Concepts from The Twelve Monotasks | 2:00pm – 2:20pm

• Explore foundational ideas from Thatcher Wine’s book and examine how the practice of monotasking—doing one thing at a time with full attention—can support the cognitive demands of legal work. Learn why multitasking undermines accuracy, reasoning, and the quality of legal analysis.

II. Applying Monotasking in Legal Practice | 2:20pm – 2:40pm

• Discuss how monotasking can be integrated into key aspects of legal work such as brief writing, contract review, client counseling, and courtroom preparation. Learn how focused attention can enhance productivity, reduce errors, and lead to more deliberate and ethical lawyering.

III. Monotasking for Lawyer Wellness & Time Management | 2:40pm – 3:00pm

• Understand how sustained attention can improve work-life boundaries, lower burnout, and help lawyers manage the pressures of billable hours, deadlines, and high-stakes matters. Explore practical strategies for building a more focused and mindful legal practice.

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