Introducing CBA President Patricia M. Jarzobski, 0716 COBJ, Vol. 45 No. 7 Pg. 5
| Author | Jessica Volz, J. |
Jessica Volz, J.
Profile of 2016–17 CBA President
I love lawyers; I love being a lawyer, working with lawyers, and helping lawyers,” is the unequivocal view of incoming CBA President Patricia M. Jarzobski. For those who have had the pleasure of meeting her, such a declaration is an understatement. With her stylish sophistication and flair for grace under pressure, she projects an aura of charisma that makes her a fitting candidate for raising the bar in more ways than one. The timing of her presidency could not be more opportune, as she will be joined by incoming Denver Bar Association President Nancy L. Cohen and American Bar Association President Linda A. Klein. Never before have women simultaneously led these associations. Not one to let historic firsts overwhelm her, Jarzobski aims to make the CBA the best it can be for its members by engaging the diverse talent of the entire community. “This has been the biggest honor of my entire career,” says Jarzobski, who will be the fifth woman to be president of the CBA in 119 years and the first in a decade.
For Jarzobski, a native Nebraskan who has spent the past 31 years in Colorado, being president of the CBA calls for a productive calibration of collaborative inspiration and courageous aspiration. She seeks to build engagement through real relationships that are focused on mentoring and sponsorship. For her, the value of belonging to the CBA is timeless, as there will always be a need for a supportive legal community that encourages talent to spread its wings. As she puts it, “It’s all about bringing a fresh perspective to an organization and creating a community rooted in inclusive growth.”
A pressing element on Jarzobski’s presidential agenda will be implementing the CBA’s strategic plan. “This is the first time that the organization has undertaken a rigorous and thorough strategic planning process that has compiled the input of members, staff, bar leaders, and other stakeholders,” she reveals. The plan, which has been in the works since 2014, seeks to address the question of what the CBA can do to remain valuable and relevant during a period of significant social, technological, and industry-wide change. A project that she is particularly excited about is her ACTNow Initiative. Appointing Critical Talent Now seeks...
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