CAN NEW HAMPSHIRE lawyers successfully meet the imposing economic and technological challenges of the 21^st century? This was the issue raised by New Hampshire Bar President Gregory D. Robbins in challenging the Outreach 2000 Task Force to come up with a statewide program geared to the needs of New Hampshire attorneys.

The program, which began last fall, has been presented to virtually every local bar association in the state, as well as to a number of Inns of Court. In every corner of the state, attorneys agreed that the way in which New Hampshire’s attorneys can meet the individual challenges of the 21st century is to provide value to their clients and retake their treasured position in society as a profession best equipped to deal with society’s problems.

Significant contributions to the content and presentation of the program were provided by NHBA President Robbins, President-Elect Peter E. Hutchins, Vice President Martha Van Oot, and immediate Past President George R. Moore, as well as myself, as chair of the Outreach Task Force. In addition, incoming Bar Vice President Russell F. Hilliard, Treasurer Robert R. Howard III, Gretchen Witt, Marilyn McNamara, James J. Tenn, Jr. and Patrick F. Harrigan (all members or incoming members of the Board of Governors) contributed substantial time and effort to the task force, including the presentation of programs in the farthest reaches of New Hampshire—from Coos to Cheshire County.

If comments by the attendees are a measure of success, then the program exceeded the expectations of both the task force and those who attended the various programs. While each part of the state had different issues that were important to it in tackling the challenges that face lawyers in the coming years, virtually everyone agreed that lawyers must reclaim their role as valuable professionals to society on a client-by-client and person-by-person basis. The NH Bar and, to some extent, the county bar associations can be helpful in providing positive images of lawyers and in organizing participation in public service and volunteer efforts important to the New Hampshire community. But only on an individual basis, through actions rather than words, can lawyers effectively continue to earn the trust of the public and preach about the integrity of the profession.

To be certain, the economic, technological and business challenges that were described in the task force’s presentation continue to face New Hampshire attorneys. Hopefully, those who attended the program are equipped with better tools and a helpful philosophy to meet challenges of a new century.

A new Outreach Task Force addressing a different topic has begun its work and will develop materials and a presentation this summer. Local bar associations will once again be contacted to begin scheduling meetings in the fall. The task force membership and the topic that the group will tackle will be announced soon by President-Elect Hutchins.

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