May 2009 Update
Dear Colleague and Fellow Member:
In the past, I have devoted much space on this page advocating the need to get together socially and enjoy the company of other lawyers – away from the contentious “stuff” in which we daily engage to satisfy the needs of our clients, spouses and creditors.
In addition, I’m sure that at least a couple of trees were felled to furnish space for me to extol what we owe to our senior members, those who, in untold ways, have help make our practices what they are today.
Well, the best of being a lawyer and the best of collegiality came together on a truly magical evening when almost 170 lawyers and guests celebrated what the practice of law should be about and honored 4 senior lawyers, whose lives and professional careers should dispelled every lawyer joke ever uttered.
Forget the elegant setting, great food and attentive service.
Forget the lousy weather which made partying a welcome respite.
Forget setting aside every mundane thing everyone was able to put aside for a few hours.
What about our four new Pillar Inductee, Judge George Miller, Charles Palmer, Mike O’Byrne and John Phipps?
What about the return of four inaugural Pillars, Stan Balbach, Bud Hatch, Stu Mamer and Dick Thies?
What about the selection committee efforts in selecting the four new Pillars and the masterful presentation of them by John Thies – soon to be Third Vice President of the State Bar Association?
What about the smile on our Association’s First Lady, Mrs. Fred Green, Carolyn?
What about people staying after the ceremony, just because they didn’t want the evening to end?
What about just feeling good about being at the banquet instead of being some place else?
What about – come on, by now you get the point.
It was simply an evening that anyone present will not forget.
In the past, I’ve probably cost nature a few more trees in writing about the CCBA’s arrows pointing up. In fact, almost three years ago, I promised to stop using that metaphor.
Well, I kept my promise. That is, until now.
No, our local Association is not yet the finished product it should be. Even more trees could bite the dust with just those things that I think still need to be done without receiving anyone else’s input; however, looking back over the last four years, our gains have been enormous.
Attendance at our 2 anchor social events has increased by almost three-fold. A structure exists to, on a tri-annual basis, honor those among us whose time, talent and conscious effort has made our profession and this community better. Lawyers are actually attending the annual meeting – please be there Tuesday night.
Young lawyers are participating, as they should and are getting together once annually to try to cheat those whom they should be trying to emulate in a softball game.
Again, you get it.
I’m not going to try and put into words how much I’ve enjoyed being a participant in our growth. Let me just say it has been fun. More than that, it’s been rewarding.
Attached to the newsletter is a flyer on the annual Capel Cup. This is just one more opportunity to participate in what I’ve been harping about.
Again, thanks to John Thies on his superb presentation and the work of his selection committee. Again, congratulations to our new Pillars.
And, just in case you haven’t calendared May 12th, that is our annual meeting. Drinks and Hors d oeuvres start at 4:30 p.m. with the ARDC speaker taking the floor at 5:30 p.m. I’m now positive we will get a CLE credit in ethics for attending. Oh yes, it’s at the new Hilton Gardens located at the corner of Neil and Kirby. In addition to the ARDC speaker, we are actually going to have a contested election. Assuming they receive nominations, Jenny Park, Dan Jackson, Marvin Gerstein and John Gadau are willing to serve on the Board. All are either currently serving or, have previous service.
Assuming you are still awake, take a millisecond and pat yourself on the back. You are part of something that is getting better and better and, by the way, let me personally thank you for the last four (4) years.
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