The Atlanta Lawyer August/September 2012 | Page 5

president’s message We also see the reported successes achieved by our own Atlanta Police Department (see page 7). Keeping our community safe and secure is perhaps one of the most meaningful ways to build a sense of community. The APD works tirelessly to achieve that elusive goal with a sometimes minimal budget. We thank them for their efforts. Please join the Atlanta Bar Foundation at the Legal Runaround on September 1, 2012 at Piedmont Park for a 5k race and walk to support the Foundation’s police scholarship fund (see page 9). We recently welcomed a class of new lawyers at the mass swearing in ceremony downtown. Our Atlanta Bar Treasurer, Harold Franklin, personally gave the newest members of the profession our congratulations and invited them all to join us in making ours the best legal community in the Atlanta metro area. I joined many of our bar friends (on the hottest day in the history of Atlanta!) for a picnic and food fest in a Midtown park. The members of the Multi-Bar Leadership Council (MBLC) held the event and did a great job putting it on. I was also honored to attend the Glitter Gala of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys in July. Many members of the Atlanta Bar and MBLC community enjoyed an evening of food and fun together. Stay tuned for many more opportunities to participate and enjoy activities of your Atlanta Bar. If you want to become more actively involved, let me know. We will find a special place for you at the Atlanta Bar! ■ 2012-2013 Committee Chairs Atlanta Santa Hon. T. Jackson Bedford, Jr. Audit Patti M. Richards Bard Catherine M. O'Neil Celebrating Service Pro Bono: Judge Susan E. Edlein Community & Law Day: Melody Z. Richardson Members