SINCE 1873 the NH Bar Association has sought equal justice under law for all citizens of New Hampshire.

Since 1873 the NH Bar Association has worked to advance the profession in order to serve the greater public good.

I am here to report that as an association, we are today more relevant and necessary for the greater public good and for equal justice under law than we were in 1873.

The office of president of the NH Bar Association is a position of responsibility, not privilege. It is a position of stewardship, not independent policy making. The focus of my term as president will be two-fold:

• Rekindle and strengthen our relationship with the NH Legislature;
• Access and establish ways to further assist our members with practice management challenges.

It is incumbent upon us as an association to rekindle and strengthen our ties with the NH Legislature. Native American tribal wisdom states that when you are riding a dead horse, it is best to dismount. If we ignore the legislature we are, in fact, riding a dead horse. We need to publicly acknowledge that the legislature is in the same battle we are fighting in our quest for equal justice under law.

As an association, during my term as president, we will wage peace with the NH Legislature. The NH Bar Association wants freedom and justice for our families and all citizens of New Hampshire. So, too, does the New Hampshire Legislature.

The NH Bar Association understands the importance, the necessity, and the right to a competent, contemporary and fair court system for our families and the families of our neighbors. So, too, does the New Hampshire Legislature.

The NH Bar Association recognizes that no civilized society can endure if it fails to honor and respect the Rule of Law. As does the NH Legislature.

I tell you tonight, here and now, that the NH Bar Association needs the NH Legislature as a strong ally if we are to efficiently continue our quest to meaningfully serve the public and pursue equal justice under law. Conversely, the NH legislature needs us, as a relevant, vibrant and effective association to assist them in meeting the greater needs of the public good.

To address the second focus of my term as president, I have established the Law Practice Management Task Force for the 2004-2005 Bar year. Attorney Bruce Dorner has answered the call to chair this important task force. This group has been charged with identifying needs and suggesting methods for assisting members from the initial opening of a law practice all the way to retirement and the eventual sale or closure of a practice.

There are approximately 1,417 law firms serving the public in our state. Of that number, more than 900, or 68 percent, are one-attorney firms. Twenty-three percent are firms of two-to-five attorneys. Suffice it to say that such percentages demand that we encourage input from and pursue initiatives to benefit members practicing in solo- or small-firms. I am confident the task force will achieve its goals and recommend ways in which our Bar Association can improve its member services. I want to take a moment to thank the members of our state’s judiciary who have joined us during this meeting. Our ability to communicate openly, effectively and appropriately enhances the roles we each play in serving the public and the justice system.

Tonight we should pause and reflect upon our surroundings and the company we keep. Be thankful. We are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, spouses and partners. We are united and blessed to be practicing law in New Hampshire. I am proud to be among you and I am proud to be a New Hampshire lawyer. Who better than the people gathered here tonight to serve our communities? Who better than the people gathered here tonight to protect our liberty? There is no better group than the people gathered here tonight to ensure that every individual has a voice, regardless of that person’s race, creed, national origin or economic circumstance.

Thank you for allowing me to be one of you and to represent you this year.