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It has been an honor
and privilege to serve as President of your Bar Association
this past year. During that time, I have attended
meetings of bar associations of other states, and
I have spoken to local bar associations in Little
Rock, Texarkana, Rogers, Jonesboro, El Dorado, and
Fort Smith. As a result of those travels, I am even
stronger in my conviction that Arkansas lawyers are
in the front ranks of our profession nationally.
I am pleased to report
that the past year has been a good one for the Association.
That is due to the fact that our members have unselfishly
contributed their time, talent and money to the profession.
I continue to be gratified by the response of our
members and their willingness to serve.
The major project of the Association and the Foundation
this past year has been the purchase of a new Bar
Center. As has been often reported, the Association
and Foundation determined that it would cost too much
to remodel our present building and that it contained
more space than was needed.
A Joint Planning Group
was appointed to find a new location. The Group was
co-chaired by Frank Sewell and Richard A.
Williams and consisted of Association and Foundation
members from across the state. After careful study,
the Group recommended the purchase of the Riverview
Building located on the Arkansas River in Little Rock.
Pictures and other information about the plans for
the new building are contained on facing page 4 in
this magazine. I am grateful to Judge John Stroud
and to Richard A. Williams who have agreed
to head up the fundraising drive on behalf of the
Foundation to raise the money to remodel the building.
You will be hearing more about that in the near future.
The bottom line is that
we have a fine new location, and plans are in place
to raise sufficient funds to remodel the building
to suit our needs for years to come. Throughout this
entire process I have been fortunate to work alongside
Sherry Bartley, who is the dedicated and hard-working
President of the Foundation.
I am proud to report
that our membership has grown in the past year in
spite of a dues increase which took effect last June.
This long-needed increase enabled the Association
to meet its budget needs. The increase in membership
was due to an enthusiastic response to the personal
contact from our statewide membership committee headed
by Rick Ramsey and assisted by staff person
Barbara Tarkington.
I think the benefits
provided by the Association are the reason for our
strong membership numbers. For example, numerous members
have told me how much our electronic research tool,
Arkansas VersusLaw, has aided them in their law practice.
Some lawyers have told me that that this benefit alone
is worth the cost of membership. If you have not used
Arkansas VersusLaw, I strongly encourage you to do
so. Simply go to the Bar website at www.arkbar.com
for additional information. While you are on the website,
please try our electronic membership directory which
provides up-to-date telephone numbers, office addresses
and email addresses. You can click on the email address
and send an email without having to type in the address.
Try it.
In the limited space
I have left, I have others I would like to thank:
Eddie Walker.
He has done a commendable job as chair of the Board
of Governors.
Cathi Compton.
She has planned an exciting annual meeting. Please
put the annual meeting dates of June 8-11 on your
calendar and review the brochure you recently received
about the meeting.
Chuck Banks.
He has persuaded over 400 of our members to become
sustaining members and pay an additional $100 for
special bar projects.
Charles Schlumberger.
He has presided over our legislative committee which,
along with our lobbyist Jack McNulty, monitors
the work of the legislature. Committee members review
each non-appropriation bill that is introduced.
Phil Kaplan.
He chairs our Editorial Advisory Board which publishes
this fine Arkansas Lawyer along with the help
of staff person Anne Conaway.
Mark Hodge. He
has led our award winning Young Lawyers Section.
Brian Vandiver
and Michelle Cauley. They have directed our
successful High School Mock Trial Program with help
from staff person Rando Hicks.
I specifically mention
these individuals in order to highlight some of the
work of the Bar this year. It is not possible in this
brief column to recognize all of the members of the
Association who have worked tirelessly through various
committees and sections. I do know what you have done
for our Association, and I thank you.
Sharon and I cannot
give enough thanks to the Association staff led by
Don Hollingsworth and Judith Gray. I
have also enjoyed working with President-Elect Glenn
Vasser, who has been active and supportive this
year. I know he will have a good year.
Thanks again for electing
me to serve as President of this Association.•
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