1975, December, Pg. 2342. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT.

• Author: by Donald S. Stubbs

4 Colo.Law. 2342

Colorado Lawyer

1975.

1975, December, Pg. 2342.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

2342Vol. 4, No. 12, Pg. 2342ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRESIDENTby Donald S. StubbsI am very proud of the Colorado Bar Association and am grateful for having had the opportunity to view its operations from the vantage point entrusted to me during the past year.

The basic concept of the function of the Colorado Bar Association is that it must be an effective vehicle designed to aid its members in the performance of their professional obligations and service to the public.

In an attempt to epitomize the general overall program of the Colorado Bar Association, let it be said that it can be encompassed in Canon 1 of the Code of Professional Responsibility as adopted by the Supreme Court of Colorado, which reads: "A basic tenet of the professional responsibility of lawyers is that every person in our society should have ready access to the independent professional services of a lawyer of integrity and competence." (Emphasis supplied.)

Equal justice is the foundation of the American system of law and equal access to the system is its cornerstone.

There are 48 committees and 12 sections active in the Colorado Bar Association. Each of these separate bodies is making a substantial contribution. The interaction between committees and between sections and between sections and committees produces an overall program that results in the achievement of our ultimate goals.

Let us consider how this unified effort works in seeking to achieve the basic objective of every person in our society having ready access to the independent services of a lawyer of integrity and competence.

Availability of Representation

It is of prime importance that every person have ready access to a lawyer. The lawyer is the only means of access to our judicial system. The failure to effectively guarantee both equal justice and ready access to the system leads to social instability and could lead to revolution.

Your Association has endeavored to meet the responsibility of the profession to solve the fundamental questions about the delivery of legal services. The Availability of Legal Services Committee has cooperated with the Colorado Legal Care Society in pursuing many ramifications of this problem of delivery. We still believe that worthwhile prepaid legal service...