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Bar News - August 19, 2011

Shape the Future: Apply for NHBA Leadership Academy

The NHBA Leadership Academy, now entering its second year, builds on its successful first year with nine months of programming, projects and events.

Overview

Participants, known as "Rising Leaders" will participate in a two-day retreat that introduces them to key concepts of leadership and personal development. Through the year, program modules will provide a general introduction, skill development, and networking opportunities in several areas, including executive and legislative branches of state government, the judicial branch, non-profit management, dealing with the media, and a new program on the challenges for the legal profession in the 21^st century.

There is some background reading or supplemental activities, such as shadowing a judge for a day, in conjunction with these sessions.

Participation in major events of the Bar Association year, including the Midyear Meeting and the Annual Meeting, are also co

Class of 2011 Looks Back

It is easy to get too narrow focused as attorneys, whether that is chasing billable hours or trying to find the perfect answer to a legal issue. The Leadership Academy broadens your experience in areas you may not be familiar with.

- Anthony Augeri

The most wonderful thing is all of the "stuff" you learn that you don’t even realize you have absorbed, and then just find yourself being more effective in your day-to-day activities.

- Abby Sykas

My biggest takeaway from my experience was the exposure to aspects of business, law, the NH Bar, other attorneys and judges that I would not have experienced otherwise. This exposure has opened up infinite possibilities with my solo practice in Northern NH.

- Deanne Chrystal

The Leadership Academy really drives home the fact that our shared commitment to integrity and professionalism means we have much more in common than not.

- Sarah Mattson

You forget that there’s a whole world out there. The academy reminds you that involvement in the community is not something for another, less busy day; it’s a necessary component of our lives right now.

- Lisa Wolford

The modules forced me to step out of my comfort zone and reach out to other attorneys and members of the community. I never would have done this on my own.

- Christine Smith

mponents of Leadership Academy.

"My most memorable experience was shadowing a judge. I certainly have a much greater appreciation for the unbelievable workload of judges," said Christine Smith of the Law Offices of Christine Smith in Manchester. "I have always been respectful of judges, but never appreciated their workload."

Featured Speakers

Programs normally consist of interactive panel discussions with a veritable "who’s who" of New Hampshire business, government, law, and media. Access to these speakers was among the most oft-cited benefits mentioned by 2011 Leadership Academy alumni.

Former Manchester mayor Sylvio Dupuis, then-new Chief Justice Linda Stewart Dalianis and retired Chief Justice John T. Broderick, Jr., Senate Judiciary Chair Matthew Houde and Rep. David Nixon, homicide prosecutor Jeffrey Strelzin, national speaker Michael Brandwein, and broadcast journalist and author Kevin Flynn are just a few of the participants from the 2011 program. There will be more exciting names to come in the Class of 2012 programming.

Sarah Mattson, a 2011 alumna and staff attorney for NH Legal Assistance, regularly works with the news media in her position. Still, she learned a lot from the media module.

"The presentations had a lot of relevance to my own practice and I definitely learned some new strategies (and potential pitfalls)," Mattson said.

Service Projects

Another component of the Leadership Academy are the service projects which are developed by teams created during the first phases of each Leader Academy program.

The Class of 2011 completed three service projects, which included raising money for the Campaign for Legal Services (which helps fund the NHBA Pro Bono Referral Program), increasing school participation in the NHBA Law Related Education Program’s Law Day programs, and creating podcasts for members of the public about working with an attorney.

Lisa Wolford, who worked on the podcasts, says that the project – both its substance and the experience of working with a diverse group of other attorneys – was a highlight of her participation.

Apply by visiting www.nhbar.org. Application deadline is September 15. Some financial assistance is available; application process is need-blind.

New Hampshire Bar Association
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phone: (603) 224-6942 fax: (603) 224-2910
email: NHBAinfo@nhbar.org
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