The second week of my Presidency took me on the road again -- this time to the Big Apple. Thanks to an invitation from the new Network of Bar Leaders President, Dan Marotta, I had the privilege of not only attending their Annual Dinner but sharing brief remarks about their honoree, Honorable Juanita Bing Newton. Judge Newton is a true champion for access to justice. We share a passion for protecting our most vulnerable, for increased availability of legal assistance for the poor and securing permanent funding for civil legal services in New York.
We are grateful for partners like Judge Newton, the Unified Court System, as well as the member organzations of the Network of Bar Leaders in this challenging mission. And let us not forget Governor Spitzer, who for the first time, included civil legal services funding in his Executive Budget this year.
The following evening brought me to the LSNY (Legal Services for New York City) 2007 Pro Bono Recognition Awards Reception, hosted by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, LLP, honoring both individuals and law firms for their extraordinary committment to pro bono. Kudos to Fern Schair, Chair of the LSNY Board as well as the LSNY Executive Director, Andrew Scherer, and his staff, for an outstanding event. The generosity of time and spirit exemplified by over 300 volunteers was truly inspiring. Just one example among many was a woman attorney I met from Hungary, who left her commerical litigation practice to come to the US for a master's degree, admission to the bar and a new career as a real estate practitioner. She learned an entire new area of law -- bankruptcy -- in order to help low-wage workers through the maze of the new Bankrupcy laws in order to help them stablize their lives and remain employed. One shining example among many.
I ended my week with an entire day devoted to increasing membership in our Association. We have a dedicated Committee on Membership, chaired by Claire Gutekunst, with 27 volunteers from across the state and beyond our borders, who are committed to making the case for membership in the State Bar for every lawyer in New York.
As I drove back home to Binghamton that Friday morning I basked in the warm, reassuring glow that our profession is in good hands and that there are many heroes among us, most of whom volunteer their time and talent with no expectation of reward or recognition. They are true champions and we salute you.