While there is plenty of time for outdoor fun and indoor socializing, the NHBA Annual Meeting also offers the opportunity to celebrate individuals who exemplify the high standards of the legal profession in New Hampshire.

At the Friday evening banquet, outgoing NHBA President James Gleason presented awards to three deserving recipients:

Arpiar Saunders, of Shaheen and Gordon, received the Donald Dufresne Award for Outstanding Professionalism. In brief remarks accepting the award, Saunders recalled working with attorney Dufresne, of the Devine Millimet law firm, on the project to develop a code of civil procedure—a project ultimately rejected by the NH Supreme Court—slightly more than 10 years ago. Saunders recalled Dufresne’s gracious reaction to the disappointment of the project not coming to fruition and his gentle reminder to Saunders to remember it is "we, not I" in recalling the collaboration involved in the project.

Goffstown District Court Judge Paul Lawrence, recipient of the Grimes Award for Judicial Professionalism, also recalled the collegial treatment he received from the namesake of his award, NH Supreme Court Justice William Grimes. Judge Lawrence, then a young judge participating on a judicial panel, fondly recalled how Justice Grimes introduced him to many colleagues who were senior to Lawrence, telling them, "He has something to say."

Michael DeLucia, Senior Assistant Attorney General and director of the Department of Justice’s Charitable Trust Unit received the NHBA President’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Profession, honoring his work regulating nonprofits and his volunteer service as a Bar Journal Editorial Committee Chair. DeLucia said nonprofits in the state account for billions in charitable assets. NH lawyers, serving as board members or fiduciary advisors for virtually every nonprofit, are on the "frontlines of protecting NH’s charitable assets," he said.

Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, who was unable to attend the meeting, sent a letter congratulating DeLucia for the award. "Your dedicated years of service to the Attorney General’s Office, the New Hampshire Bar Association and the non-profit organizations of our state is unsurpassed and greatly appreciated," Ayotte wrote.

Attendance at this year’s meeting remained strong, with an increasing number of first-time attendees, including many attorneys with young children.

NHBA Midyear Meeting – Feb. 16-17 at Radisson Hotel, Center of NH, Manchester.

Annual Meeting – June 22-25 at The Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa, Whitefield.

(The Annual Meeting returns to The Balsams in 2007.)

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