The Atlanta Lawyer June/July 2011 | Page 6

keep me on track. So Rita, once again, from me and from the Bar, thank you. One of the greatest pleasures and privileges of being the President of the Atlanta Bar Association is working with our wonderful staff. And that includes the staff of the Foundation and the Lawyer Referral Service. Thanks to all of you. You all do such a great job. You make us look good and keep us moving. And I can say with some authority, having traveled to bar events around the country and having met with the presidents of many bars over the last two years, that there is no better executive director in the country than Diane O’Steen. Diane joined the Bar more than 46 years ago, apparently as a child of 4 or 5 years of age. As many of you know, Diane has announced her retirement effective one year from now. As I have told Rita, she has no more important or difficult task as president than filling Diane’s shoes. and the evening receptions that come with being Bar President, all have taken away from my time with them. But they have been supportive and encouraging every step of the way. I could not and would have done this without their willing support. And finally, to all of you, the members of the Atlanta Bar Association, I thank you for the opportunities you have given me for service to the bar and the profession. I hope that in that service I have accomplished some things that proved worthy of your trust. But I want to let you all know that whatever I have contributed to the Bar in these years, I have received much more than that back in friendships, in personal and professional growth, and in all the rewards that come from working with and for the dedicated lawyers of this great bar association. So once again, thank you. ■ There are three more groups I have to thank. My partners at Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore have supported me throughout the year, and all of the lawyers in the firm have supported the Atlanta Bar Association, as shown by the firm winning the Law Firm Service Award. It is the greatest bunch of lawyers and greatest group of friends anyone could ask for. Perhaps most importantly, I have to thank my family. All four of my children are here today. The travel, early morning meetings, Introducing Lexis ® for Microsoft ® Office. Created for legal minds, by l