Working Together to Succeed

• Author: Bob Carlson
• Pages: 8-8

8 || ABA JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 2018

PHOTOGRAPH BY TOM SALYER PHOTOGRAPHY

President’s Message || By Bob Carlson

Follow President Carlson on Twitter @ABAPresident or email abapresident@americanbar.org.

Working Together to Succeed

ABA pursues team ef ort to develop new models and enhance existing programs

Serving a s president of the

American Bar A ssociation is an

honor and a privilege. Most of

all, it provides an opport unity to

deliver a clear, concise and consis-

tent message about the value and

importance of the A BA to the legal

community and beyond.

As a member since law school, I

have witnessed fi rsthand the posi-

tive impact the ABA ha s on the

lives of so many in the legal pro -

fession and our justice syst em. The

ABA is really a fa mily, a commu-

nity of members with shar ed val-

ues. We work together because we

recognize the v ital role the ABA

plays to improve the profession and

promote the rule of law. As presi-

dent, I want to deliver the message

that the ABA, a s the voice of the

legal profession, is essential t o all

lawyers.

My year as president will be

more of a relay than a sprint,

building on all the progres s and good works of my

predecessors.

Like all ba r associations today, the ABA is f aced

with evolvi ng membership needs and technologi-

cal changes in how we commun icate and connect

with members. We are responding to those ch al-

lenges aggressively. We are also committ ed to working

together with stat e, local and other bar associations to

meet these challenges.

Our focus moving forw ard will be to increase the

value of membership in the ABA and o er our members

signifi ca ntly enhanced benefi ts. As t he legal profession

evolves, we want to make the A BA an essential partner,

working alongside you to help build your practice.

I am guessing you did not know the A BA produces

nearly 5,000 articles, blogs a nd notes each year relating

to the concerns of pract icing lawyers. We want to make

sure you have an opportunit y to access more of what

you need when you need it.

To accomplish this, we are expandi ng our library

of free CLEs and w ill provide material to each mem-

ber based on their specifi c interests and needs. We are

redesigning our website and mobile platform a nd mak-

ing it faster and easier for you to get A BA products and

register for meetings onl ine. The goal is to improve the

experience of each member.

We are expanding ABA Blueprint

for the vast majority of law yers who

practice in solo and smal l fi r ms. I

practice in a smal l fi r m and I can

tell you, Blueprint is worth explor-

ing. You’ll be glad you did.

We also are addressing your bot-

tom line. To eliminate the confus-

ing mix of price points for an A BA

membership, we have dramatical ly

stream lined our dues struc ture.

In addition to our new and

improved benefi ts, we w ill continue

to advance the ABA’s leadership in

many area s, including:

• Addressing the well-being of

lawyers and law students. To be

a good lawyer, you must fi rs t be a

healthy lawyer.

• Making practic al changes to

legal education and the bar ad mis-

sion process .

• Continuing to move the needle

on ensuring acces s to justice. Far too

many people are not a orde d the legal assistance they

need, and t he consequences can be dire.

• Promoting a strong, independent and imparti al

judiciary and a fa ir justice system.

• Furthering pro bono ser vice by lawyers. During Pro

Bono Week this October, we are encouraging pro bono

e orts t hat focus on disaster relief legal serv ices.

• Building on the ABA’s legacy of advancing diver-

sity within its member ship and throughout the legal

profession.

This is a “we” under taking. ABA members need t o

deliver the message that A BA membership is impor-

tant and valuable. As fa med industrialist Henry Ford

said, “Coming together is a beg inning; staying together

is progress and working toge ther is success.”

As I follow outgoing President Hilarie Bas s into

o ce, t he big tent of the ABA is on full display. What

other organization would have a law yer from a small

fi rm in Butt e, Montana, follow a Miami-based co-presi-

dent of one of the world’s largest fi rms as its leader?

We thank Hilarie for her tireless e orts to improve

the ABA and the legal profession. I have big shoes to

fi ll, but w ith the help of all our wonderful members, I

am positive we can al l move forward. The power of “we”

can be a formidable force. Q