Vision in Action
Brings Progress
by Sandra Wilson Cherry
It is with overwhelming
gratitude that I begin this last column as President. I must tell each
of you of my heartfelt appreciation for giving me the opportunity to
serve this outstanding organization. A President's dreams and plans
for the continuing success and growth of our organization can only be
accomplished by our experienced and supportive staff and the many member
volunteers who take time from their busy lives and practices to strengthen
our organization and enrich our profession. Thank you all for making
this wonderful past year possible for me and for providing the skill
and wisdom to advance the cause of our organization and our profession.
The past year for the Association mirrors
in many ways the path taken by our nation when on September 11, and
in the weeks which followed, we shared in the overwhelming grief felt
by the entire country. We realized then, as did our fellow citizens
throughout the land , that somehow we would never be quite the same
again. Yet, like our magnificent nation, in the months since the tragedy,
we have continued to build and move ahead. It has been a year of looking
forward, not backward, of recognizing our strengths and the heritage
from which they come, and of recognizing the challenges we face, brought
about by awesome change, and finding advantages in these challenges.
Our challenges this year bring to mind the Longfellow poem, A Psalm
of Life, which tells us our destined end or way is neither enjoyment
or sorrow. Rather, it is
But to act, that each
tomorrow
Finds us farther than today
We have acted to foster
professionalism in order that the practice of law remain a livelihood
dedicated to high principle and service. One important goal has been
the development of the Arkansas Professional Practicum, a mandatory
course for newly admitted attorneys with its goals of enhancing the
quality of legal services provided to the public. This goal will soon
be realized when we petition the Supreme Court to initiate this program.
Additionally, our law schools, with the support of our Task force on
Professionalism, will begin to incorporate professionalism orientation
in their freshman offerings this fall. Through efforts such as these
we seek to preserve the traditions of law practice most worthy of our
great profession in the face of enormous and fast paced change.
This does not mean, however, we seek to
avoid change for we are actually embracing it in ways which will enrich
and enhance the profession. To that end, we will, in the near future,
offer free Internet legal research to all our members. Our Internet
presence will be even further heightened by new offerings, and by building
up present member services on our website like Arkansasfindalawyer.
We have acted to insure our members can
look forward to a newly refurbished Bar Center, still located on the
banks of the Arkansas River where the first law firm in Arkansas stood,
and to offering a revitalized place for our members to meet, work and
relax; a professional home which symbolizes, as it has for the
last 29 years, the strength and continuity of our organization. A capital
fund drive will begin soon to enable us to provide our members throughout
the state a greatly improved facility, offering a wide range of services
designed to further the practice of law and make available new technologies
to our membership.
Our efforts continue to bring more people
of color not only into the mainstream of our organization, but also
the practice of law in Arkansas. As we strive to make our Association
and the Arkansas legal profession more diverse and inclusive, we find
we reap enormous benefits from fresh and innovative leadership.
It has been a great privilege to work
with you on these initiatives and many others to strengthen our profession's
leadership role and increase the effectiveness of our Association.
Jack joins me in thanking you for a wonderful
year for friendships enriched and friendships made, for the honor
of not only representing Arkansas in the nation's legal community but
also in being its hosts, and for the memories.
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