New Hampshire Bar News: Reflections on the NHBA’s Practical Skills CLE and Member Benefits

I recently had the opportunity to speak at the NHBA Practical Skills CLE – a longheld Granite State tradition where new admittees spend two days learning from seasoned practitioners and judges on a wide range of New Hampshire-specific topics.

On its face, the CLE is an intensive introduction to legal practice in this state, but it also serves as a great way to reconnect and get to know fellow New Hampshire lawyers. I met many recent law school graduates, as well as more experienced practitioners – from Chicago, Vermont, and Georgia, to name a few – who are expanding their practices into New Hampshire. I watched as people made connections with each other, judges, and faculty, all while learning about the NHBA through its “Taste of the Bar” offerings and various panel discussions. It was a great event and an even better representation of how the Bar brings its members together – one of the many benefits it provides.

My goal for my brief remarks at the event was to highlight just some of the numerous services provided by the NHBA that may not be as readily apparent as some of the more forward-facing services, like CLE and the Bar News. As I told the group, I see the Bar’s services falling into four main categories: (1) professional development; (2) practice support and development; (3) personal development and support; and (4) support for community engagement and public service. In all, the NHBA is at its core a unified effort to support the whole lawyer.

Of course, we are all familiar with the excellent low-cost CLEs organized by the NHBA, which are by New Hampshire lawyers for New Hampshire lawyers. However, the NHBA’s professional development support extends far beyond that.

For example, most members know that there is an Ethics Committee that carefully analyzes questions posed by members and prepares helpful opinions we can look to for guidance. But did you know the NHBA also offers an Ethics Helpline for more urgent questions? Through the helpline, a volunteer attorney will act as a sounding board as you work through ethical issues.¹

Additionally, there are guides for succession planning, a Mentor Advice Program for new lawyers, and many opportunities to network with colleagues from across the state at our Midyear and Annual meetings and in-person CLEs.

It is important for lawyers to sustain and grow their business as part of any thriving practice. Through the work of Member Services Supervisor Misty Griffith – a fellow lawyer who has been in the position for four years – the NHBA has negotiated free or discounted fees for several critical business services. This includes the free online legal research database FastCase, various practice management software, and even reduced-cost website design.

As it has always done, the NHBA offers conference rooms and small meeting rooms for free use by any member. And just last month, the Member Center officially opened, offering a comfortable workspace, including small offices, a lounge area, and refreshments for any member passing through Concord and needing a place to land for a time. Please stop by the next time you are in town.

Maintaining personal health and wellness is critical for any lawyer – for any person. Recognizing our profession often involves high stakes, tight deadlines, and great expectations – and the consequent stress that comes with that – the NHBA has refocused its efforts to ensure that appropriate resources are available to all members of our Bar.

The Bar has also discovered resources to assist you with personal challenges – like caring for aging parents. Members have no-cost access to YourCare360, a portal to leading vendors in the caregiving space.

This portal connects you with leading vendors in the caregiving space – from licensed caregivers to home safety evaluators, experts in downsizing to and moving to assistance with end-of-life planning. You can also access an array of free resources.

The NHBA also takes seriously its mission to serve the public by connecting members with the information and opportunities needed to fulfill their public service obligations. We see this in the support of 603 Legal Aid, the NHBA Modest Means Program, LawLine, and the work of the New Hampshire Bar Foundation, which grants funds to support access to justice and civics education.

I recognize that this column could not do adequate service to the many member benefits provided by the NHBA, but I hope it helps frame the conversation that I promised to undertake when becoming president: To take a critical look at what the Bar does well and identify the things that we should change, or grow and adapt, to ensure the NHBA is ready to confront the evolving challenges that we face as lawyers, and remain an invaluable resource for all its members for years to come. Your insights will be a critical part of this conversation.

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

Endnotes:
1. Please call 603-715-3259 for Helpline assistance. It may take a day or two for someone to contact you as members are volunteering their time to provide this resource. A matter is appropriate for Helpline if it deals with proposed conduct of yours that is not already an issue of pending litigation or disciplinary action.