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Bar News - July 9, 2004 Endnotes: Reflections on Challenging, Successful and Fun Year Past President's Perspective By: Russell F. Hilliard A YEAR AGO, when I was beginning my term as President of the Bar, I looked forward to a challenging, interesting, fun, and successful year – well, I got it. Last year, from The Balsams, I was doing radio interviews about the recent passage of House Bill 175, the legislation seeking to deunify the New Hampshire Bar Association. In cleaning off my credenza a few days ago, I came upon the notes of my remarks to the Annual Meeting. At that time, I said that this might be "an opportunity brilliantly disguised as an insoluble problem." So it was. It gave us an opportunity to focus on why unification of the Bar has been good for both the profession and the citizens of this state – and to carry this message across the state prior to the mandated referendum. It also challenged us, notwithstanding the effort and energy devoted to the deunification measure, to continue the good work of the Bar, which we did, through the heroic efforts of our volunteers and staff. Our challenge to the deunification legislation took, unexpectedly, my entire year, but it was successful, and we managed to have a lot of fun along the way. The results of the referendum, conducted while the litigation was pending, and sealed until the Court decision on June 14, 2004, reflect great and gratifying support for the unified Bar. There are too many people for me to thank, in this short column, for their encouragement and support during this past year, but I cannot help but cite again all of the volunteer New Hampshire lawyers – be they Bar officers, committee members, pro bono attorneys, DOVE attorneys, and all the rest who give unselfishly to public service – you are the ones who make the New Hampshire Bar great, and you gave me inspiration every day. There are two lawyers I do need to single out: my senior partner and past president of the Bar, Fred Upton, for his valiant effort in successfully briefing and arguing the deunification case before the Supreme Court, and Joe McDowell, for his similar effort in defending the Bar against the Kamasinski suit. Both attorneys performed these important tasks pro bono, and happily. The Bar staff – until you’ve been in my position, you cannot truly appreciate their dedication to our profession, and their importance to our continued well-being. Particularly, our Executive Director, Jeannine McCoy – she is truly a jewel. I leave you in good hands – new President Jim Gleason, President-Elect Richard Uchida, and Vice President Richard McNamara. Hopefully, as Jim said in his remarks at Annual Meeting (see page 4), we can now focus on our primary missions, and work to improve relations with the other branches of government. Thank for the privilege of serving; it was a great ride. Russell Hilliard practices with the law firm of Upton & Hatfield with offices in Concord and Hillsborough. As immediate past president, Hilliard remains on the NHBA Board of Governors for the coming year.
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