Bar associations are a key part of this struggle. When faced
with the challenge, I trust that we, as bar leaders, will
continue to present the case for judicial independence to the
public and, when necessary, the other two branches of
government.
Disaster Preparedness
Since the natural disasters that have struck the Gulf Coast, bar
associations all over the country have been forced to assess
their own disaster preparation plans. Although we all hope those
plans are never needed, that was not the case for the Maricopa
County Bar Association (MCBA) in Phoenix, the bar of which I was
once president. In February, the MCBA building was severely
damaged in an electrical fire and will be
inaccessible for four to six months.
However,
because of the foresight of the bar's current
leadership, President Jo Ana Saint-George, business
operations were able to continue as usual, albeit
from various locations. Also, the fire caused no
uninsured losses. Ms. Saint-George further reported
that the bar's lawyer referral service was up and
running the next business day following the fire.
Kudos to the Maricopa County Bar Association, its
leadership and staff and good luck as they continue
through the association’s recovery.
Service
Great bar presidents have an overwhelming desire to serve their
profession and the public. Bar leaders serve by informing their
community about important legal issues, supporting civic
initiatives and developing successful legislative lobbying
efforts, among a myriad of other ways. The National Conference
of Bar Presidents also serves the profession by providing
leadership development programming and networking opportunities
for leaders of state, local and special focus bars. The NCBP is
a valuable resource, whether you are at the beginning, middle or
end of your presidency.
I encourage NCBP members to consider increasing their
involvement within the organization by serving on one of several
NCBP committees or nominating themselves or a colleague for a
slot on the NCBP Executive Council. If you are currently a bar
president, president-elect or past president, you are eligible
to serve. President-elect Steven Sorenson is accepting
applications for the following committees: communications,
finance, membership, program, sponsorship and diversity. For an
application, visit the Committees page at
www.ncbp.org
|
|
NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BAR PRESIDENTS
2005-2006 Executive Council
Lonnie J. Williams Jr., Phoenix, AZ
President
Steven R. Sorenson, Ripon, WI
President-elect
Kay H. Hodge, Boston, MA
Treasurer
M. Joe Crosthwait Jr., Midwest City, OK
Secretary
Hon. Douglas S. Lang, Dallas, TX
Immediate Past President
2006
C. Joseph Holland, Iowa City, IA
Monty A. McIntyre, San Diego, CA
James P. Nolan, Annapolis, MD
Howard A. Shalowitz, St. Louis, MO
Gloria J. Sturman, Las Vegas, NV
2007
Richard J. Badolato, Roseland, NJ
Tom Bolt, St. Thomas, VI
Guy N. Harrison, Longview, TX
A. Thomas Levin, Mineola, NY
Karol Corbin Walker, Newark, NJ
2008
Rhonda F. Hunter, Dallas, TX
Kelly Overstreet Johnson, Tallahassee, FL
Richard Turbin, Honolulu, HI
Fred S. Ury, Fairfield,CT
Charles J. Vigil, Albuquerque, NM
Ex Officio
Michael S. Greco, Boston, MA
President
American Bar Association
Amy Dunn Taylor, Houston, TX
President
Metropolitan Bar Caucus
ABA Division for Bar Services
Pamela E. Robinson
NCBP Liaison
Kimberly Vann
NCBP Communications Coordinator
Beverley M. Ware
NCBP Member Services Coordinator |
President’s
Message