H C B A P R E S I D E N T’ S M E S S A G E A n t h o n y“ N i n o” M a r t i n o – O l d e r L u n d y K o c h & M a r t i n o
Continued from page 6
who bring this organization to life. You are the ones who volunteer your time, mentor young lawyers, support pro bono causes, and show up when it matters. You are the reason this organization continues to thrive.
To our judiciary, thank you for your leadership and for your continued partner- ship with the HCBA. Your willingness to engage with our members, support our events, and offer insights and mentorship has been invaluable.
To my fellow officers and members of the Board of Directors— thank you for your counsel, support, and vision. You brought diverse perspectives, asked the right questions, and always kept our mission at the center of every decision.
To the HCBA staff, especially John Kynes and Laurie Rideout, thank you for being the quiet force behind everything we do. Your professionalism, creativity, and unwavering dedication are what keep this organization running smoothly, even behind the scenes.
Moments That Mattered
There are so many moments that stand out to me from this past year: seeing young lawyers take the lead on impactful initiatives, working alongside law students who represent the future of our profession, and watching members rally around those in need after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
We also made space for celebration. From the annual holiday party at the HCBA building to our Law Week activities, we took time to enjoy one another, share stories, and reconnect after the unpredictability of the last few years. In a profession that can be demanding and
isolating, those moments of camaraderie matter.
What Comes Next As I hand the gavel over to our incoming president, Matthew Hall, I do so with full confidence in the future of the HCBA. Our organi- zation is in good hands, and the momentum we have built this year will only continue to grow. I encourage each of you to stay involved, step into leadership roles, and continue building the kind of legal community that makes us all proud.
Leadership is not about one person— it’ s about building structures and relationships that outlast any individual. My hope is that, during my tenure, I was able to help strengthen those foundations.
On a personal note, I want to thank my family, friends, and my partners and colleagues at Older Lundy Koch & Martino who supported me throughout this journey. Time is one of the most valuable things we can give, and I’ m grateful to those who picked up the slack, offered encouragement, and gave me the grace to lead.
This role has taught me more than I could have imagined. It reminded me of the value of listening, the importance of perspective, and the incredible capacity our profession has to impact lives— both in and outside the courtroom.
As I step down from this position, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and a deep appreciation for this community. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Thank you for believing in the mission of the HCBA. And thank you— for everything you do, every day— to uphold the integrity of our profession. I may be rotating out of this role, but I’ m not going far. I look forward to continuing to serve, support, and champion this organization in new ways. n
J U LY- A U G 2 0 2 5 | H C B A L A W Y E R
7