It’s great to practice law and to be a member of the BCBA. However it is a little difficult when you are always around someone in a robe who has an authority complex, who overrules all your actions and must have the final say on everything. Well, enough about Pat (a/k/a She Who Must Be Obeyed).

Skipping the platitudes, I hope to build on the past achievements of our bar association and to instill a new sense of energy in every member. Our challenge to each of you is to bring a new member to the fold.  We encourage former members to rejoin as well.

I was surprised when I found out there is a misconception that every lawyer is a member of the BCBA.  This is not the case. One must become a member of the BCBA in order to take full advantage of the benefits of membership.

Instead of mailing another survey, I am requesting that you ask your friends who have not joined or have let their membership lapse, what I can do to change their minds (subject to the limits of good taste and the dictates of She Who Must Be Obeyed).

Family has a lot of definitions. Our family in the Baltimore County Bar Association is based upon strong relationships. I want our family to grow so that every lawyer gets the same chance I had to become part of our community.

The officers and members of the Executive Council are here to serve you. Don’t hesitate to share with us the areas where we are doing well, as well as your concerns regarding needed improvements. After we receive your input we will give it all to Doris to make sure it is done.

I would like to thank John Gontrum for all of his hard work this past year as the President of the BCBA.  His efforts concerning the Executive Director transition have made my job much easier.

For those of you expecting comments about golf and prayer, please be advised that the golf outing is scheduled for May 2006 and I pray it does not rain.