Statewide Professionalism Day, held Feb. 20 at all 11 superior court locations, involved more than 650 attorneys and judges who braved wintry conditions for vibrant debate, friendly atmosphere and mingle with colleagues.
A series of video vignettes portraying situations involving gender bias, intimidation of a junior lawyer in a transaction, and working with a pro se opponent were used to spark discussion of what constitutes professionalism as opposed to the "bare minimum" of ethical conduct.
The Professionalism Day gatherings also provided an opportunity to spotlight the 2009 awards for distinguished service to the NH Pro Bono Referral Program presented in each county.
The discussions, the vignettes and the facilitators who led discussions in each county received positive evaluations from attendees.
Facilitators for the Merrimack County Professionalism Day program included (left to right) Jacalyn Coburn, Melinda Gehris, Carol Hess, and Chuck Douglas. |
Sarah Cox, center, holds the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award for Strafford County. She is flanked by colleagues from Burns, Bryant, Cox, Rockefeller and Durkin, judges and Professionalism Committee members. |
In Grafton County, facilitator Barbara Keshen (at left) addresses the audience, including NHBA President Ellen Arnold, seated next to Superior Court Judge Timothy J. Vaughan. |
USDC-NH Judge, Joseph Laplante, presents Elizabeth Garon, a Manchester solo practitioner, with the Pro Bono Rising Star Award at the Hillsborough North Superior Courthouse. |
USDC-NH Judge, Joseph Laplante, presents Jon Ross of Wiggin & Nourie with a Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award for Hillsborough County North. Ross accepted the award for Wiggin & Nourie. | |
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John Norton, chair of the Pro Bono Board, presents attorney Kelly Dowd, a Keene solo practitioner, with the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award for Cheshire County. |
Newer and more experienced attorneys interact during discussion at the Merrimack County Courthouse. |
New Hampshire Supreme Court Associate Justice James Duggan presents the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award for Sullivan County to Barbara Parker, a Newport solo practitioner. |
Superior Court Judge Tina Nadeau presents the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award for Rockingham County to Joanne Stella, a Portsmouth solo practitioner. | |
