Vol. 34, No. 5, 6. Fom the Top.

• Author: by Eric E. Jones President, Wyoming State Bar

Wyoming Bar Journal

2011.

Vol. 34, No. 5, 6.

Fom the Top

Wyoming LawyerIssue: October, 2011From the Topby Eric E. Jones President, Wyoming State BarMany Hats

It is with great honor and excitement that I have the opportunity to lead the Wyoming State Bar in the upcoming year. As I write my first column for the W)andgt;o-ming Lawyer, it is a humbling experience to "take the reins" of such a great organization. I intend to continue the dedicated and hard working efforts of my predecessors. My goals for the upcoming year are to promote programs emphasizing a balance between work and family life, continue the work started on a mandatory new lawyer mentoring initiative and launch a public service program focusing on members and veterans of our armed forces.

I realize I have big shoes to fill. The Bar Sections are stronger as a result of the hard work of Gay Woodhouse and the dedication of the Bar staff. The Wyoming Center for Legal Aid is a reality due to the vision and hard work of Rick Lavery the Access to Justice Commission and many others. A Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) supplying a realistic health insurance option for many Wyoming attorneys came to fruition under the guidance of Bill Hiser. Brian Hultman started the ball rolling to develop the framework for a mentor program, and more impressively, put our profession in the positive eye of the public through his Liberty Day community service project across the state. Wyoming attorneys responded to his call by making hour-long civic presentations regarding the United States Constitution to almost every fifth grade student in the state. Wyoming's Lawyer Assistance Program is continuing with a new service group providing more access and resources. The acquisition of a new Bar office provides attorneys a place to meet, take depositions and conduct mediations. While serving on the Board of Officers and Commissioners, I have witnessed many additional accomplishments too numerous to mention; each one a success due to a president with goals, a team of officers and a dedicated Bar staff.

As I was preparing for my year as president, I reviewed the Bar's Quality of Life Survey conducted last spring. Four hundred eighty-three attorneys took time from their busy schedules to provide information to the Officers, Commissioners and Bar staff about what we, as...