New Hampshire Bar News: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future: My Vision as NHBA President

Writing my first president’s column, I cannot help but reflect upon my time as a lawyer in this state, and what it has meant to me to be a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association for nearly 20 years. During that time, I have had the privilege of learning from and working with some of the Granite State’s finest attorneys and judges and gaining the unique benefits of practicing in a small bar, especially one where collegiality is placed at such a premium. It truly is an honor to give back to this organization as your Bar president for the next year.

Many people have asked how I first became involved with the NHBA’s Board of Governors, or more to the point, how I came to serve as president. It has been an interesting and fulfilling journey – beginning with an incredible experience with the Bar’s Leadership Academy roughly a decade ago. It was there that I first began to understand the Bar’s unique role in our state and the interconnectedness it offers in so many aspects of our legal practice, the judiciary, and our communities. It inspired me to become involved.

Since then, I have represented the NHBA locally and nationally for many years, including serving on the Board of Governors advocating as New Hampshire’s Young Lawyer Delegate to the American Bar Association, the House of Delegates, and serving as an active conduit between the NHBA leadership and its members, particularly as a member of the Committee on Cooperation with the Courts and as a Governor at Large. I take great pride in addressing important issues impacting our practice in this state and in supporting the ongoing work of the Bar Association to maintain a valuable, effective, and supportive association for all its members. Now, as Bar president, I intend to continue doing just that.

This upcoming year will be one of transition and building. Under the steadfast leadership of outgoing NHBA Executive Director George Moore, the Bar has expanded and strengthened, increasing meaningful member benefits, uniting pro bono under 603 Legal Aid, and fostering a strong relationship of open dialogue with the courts. As we welcome new NHBA Executive Director Sarah Blodgett, we look to further these initiatives, while taking this opportunity to reflect upon the Bar, its mission, and how it serves you, our members. In the short time since beginning her new role, Sarah has proven to be an incredible addition, and I look forward to working with her, and with all the staff this year.

As you may have guessed, in my year as president, I am not introducing a new initiative. Instead, I would like to see the Bar focus on its core member offerings, expanding opportunities in professional development, increasing resources for our personal well-being, and creating new avenues to engage and serve our communities. With the outstanding work of the Bar staff, I aim to further broaden the scope of benefits available to support your professional and business development needs and to focus on what we hope will be difference makers.

We will continue to support the health and wellness initiative started by my predecessor, Paul Chant. We will also remain diligent in our efforts to address emerging changes to legal practice, including the impact of artificial intelligence. At a time when civic dialogue is crucially important, we’ll continue to support the civic mindedness of our members and bolster their efforts to engage in their communities, and hopefully further encourage engagement in pro bono and other worthy causes.

To make sure we are on the right track, we will be reaching out to lawyers across the state and practice areas to hear how the Bar can best achieve these goals.

In sum, we want to ensure the Bar is supporting the whole lawyer, addressing the needs that exist now, and preparing for the needs that may arise in the future. I look forward to this challenge.

Thank you all for your trust in making me your president.

New Hampshire Bar News, June Issue  |  President’s Perspective