President’s Column, The Benefits of CCCBA

As my year as President of the Contra Costa County Bar Association winds down, I find myself thinking about the many benefits I have received from the CCCBA since I joined the organization some eight years ago, when I first moved my practice to Contra Costa.

Initially, I joined the Women’s Section and the Real Estate section. The Real Estate section’s monthly programs are of the highest caliber but what I found truly valuable was the opportunity to sit around the table getting to know my local real estate colleagues. It was a chance to build relationships before we had to negotiate deals together. Similarly, the Women’s Section warmly welcomed me onto their board, where I had the benefit of working closely with attorneys from a variety of practice areas. In relatively short order, I had a network of attorneys in my new professional home to whom I could refer clients, and that I could call on when I needed particular advice in related or unrelated practice areas. These two sections were instrumental in helping me to get my practice started in Contra Costa, for which I am grateful.

Since joining those sections, I have been involved in many aspects of the Bar Association. With many other bar members, I participated in a number of rewarding projects including our annual fundraising gala benefitting local non-profits; served on the editorial board of this magazine; and the development of the popular Law Practice Management series to help address the needs of new attorneys and those transitioning to solo and small firm practices during the economic downturn. I have been given the opportunity to participate on committees large and small. Through each project I learned more about our community and the issues that are important to our members.

There is one more project that I hope to complete before my year as President ends. The CCCBA was formed in 1976 and since that time, we have not had a major overhaul of our governing documents. This year, our Governance Committee reviewed and proposed updates to our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to ensure they comply with the current Corporations Code, run at maximum efficiency and to allow us to make use of electronic modes of communication to formally communicate with members. By the time this is published, you should have received a copy of the proposed bylaws and a ballot to vote on their adoption. Please take the time to review the proposed bylaws, and return your ballot to the CCCBA offices. An easy and pleasant way to return your ballot would be to drop it off when joining us at our annual Holiday Party on December 15, 2016 at the CCCBA offices.

As 2016 winds down, I encourage you to become more actively involved in the CCCBA. This organization has so much to offer, but the best benefits come from working more closely with its members.

Thank you for a great year! I look forward to seeing you at the Holiday Party!