DEPUTY CLERK OF the Merrimack County Superior Court Kathleen McDonald was honored as the Merrimack County Bar Association Lawyer of the Year during a surprise ceremony at the county Bar’s Annual Meeting dinner held on June 15 at the Grappone Center in Concord.

Outgoing Bar President Michael Gfroerer, of Jordan, Gfroerer & Weddleton in Concord, said of McDonald that she is a "devoted public servant, who thinks a work day goes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m." He also praised her "no nonsense but respectful" approach to assisting attorneys, especially in the area of marital law. "Both seasoned and new attorneys seek out her advice."

The Hon. John T. Broderick, chief justice of the NH Supreme Court, spoke to the meeting attendees about the state of the court system. "I can report that while Rome wasn’t built in a day, we’re making progress."

The chief justice addressed the issues of increased self-represented parties in litigation, which he called "a serious challenge for all of us." He called for an expanded role for alternative dispute resolution, saying, "I believe that is the direction in which we need to move; we need more off-ramps in the system." He also asked lawyers to "step up to the plate more than in the past" to relieve the system of pro se cases through assisting those who cannot afford an attorney by donating 3 percent of their time at a 50-percent rate discount, or 2 percent of their time pro bono. He also discussed the trend of cases going to private-sector mediation facilities. "If we don’t get ahead of the parade, the system will be clogged up with pro se and criminal cases," notes Broderick. "The rest of the cases will go elsewhere." Broderick also announced the proposed formation of a commission on the legal profession.

Also during the meeting, the Merrimack County Bar announced its slate of new officers for the 2004-2006 term.

They are: Michael K. Brown, of the NH Attorney General’s Office, as president; Frank E. Kenison, of Cook & Molan, vice president; Marie "Molly" M. McPartlin, of Ransmeier & Spellman, secretary/treasurer; and C. Kevin Leonard, of Douglas, Leonard & Garvey, and David S. Rotman, of the Merrimack County Attorney’s Office, both at-large.

Home | About the Bar | For Members | For the Public | Legal Links | Publications | Online Store
Lawyer Referral Service | Law-Related Education | NHBA•CLE | NHBA Insurance Agency | NHMCLE
Search | Calendar

New Hampshire Bar Association
2 Pillsbury Street, Suite 300, Concord NH 03301
phone: (603) 224-6942 fax: (603) 224-2910
email: NHBAinfo@nhbar.org
© NH Bar Association Disclaimer