incoming president’s message
Remarks of incoming President Rita A. sheffey
at the May 25, 2011 Annual Meeting
by Rita A. sheffey
Hunton & Williams LLP
J
udge Martin, other members of the judiciary, fellow Atlanta
Bar members, sponsors, and guests:
It is a privilege and an honor to speak to you this afternoon as the
104th President of the Atlanta Bar Association.
Today feels a little like graduation. My close family and some
friends are here, we have just given awards to some very deserving
individuals, and of course there are speeches. And, for three nights
last week, I attended graduation festivities as part of the Law
School Musical. It was a little like the movie Groundhog Day -- we
celebrated graduation over and over and over. With apologies to
those who were unable to attend one of the performances, I almost
started to wonder if Mr. Bieber (played by Jason Poulos) might
graduate by Saturday evening, but alas the ending didn’t change.
If you missed it, watch for the DVD.
Today also is like graduation in that I have worked hard to get
here and I will get emotional. I am excited about the opportunities
ahead and hopefully ready for the challenges. Before I talk briefly
about my vision for the year, I want to recognize some very special
people.
First, I am delighted that my parents are both here from Bristol,
Virginia, where I grew up.
My Dad, Wayne Sheffey, served proudly in the United States Air
Force and then worked in corporate America as a manufacturing
supervisor, building missiles and later computers. He now enjoys
a well-deserved retirement. From him, I learned the value of being
a good sport, always.
My Mom, Jane Sheffey, still works full-time, helping people
plan for the future and then, when they can no longer manage
their own finances, she does it for them with sensitivity. She also
ensures that those who need caregivers are never alone. She has
always encouraged me to be the best I could be, explaining that
anything worth having is worth working hard for. She is a shining
example of someone who always gives to others and then gives
some more.
My companion of more than 25 years, Tom Rounds, is here as
the official news publication of the atlanta bar association
rsheffey@hunton.com
well. Many of you know him. He teaches high school chemistry
and physics and his students love and respect him. Also, thanks to
Jeff Bramlett’s insights, Tom serves dutifully as a lay member on
the State Bar Review Panel, part of our disciplinary process. Tom
is always there to boost my confidence, read and comment on the
first draft of a speech, yes, even this one, and do whatever errand
or task needs doing so I can spend time on bar work. I am really
looking forward to the end of school year this Friday!
Tom’s daughters and son-in-law are here from Boston. Ellie
Rounds is a special education administrator and next week, she will
celebrate her birthday and graduate with a Certificate of Advanced
Graduate Study to go with her Masters degree. Betsy and Joel
Pinsker recently moved to Boston from New York. Betsy works
in marketing for a major construction company and Joel is studying
for a Masters degree in history. I am so proud of all of them and
pleased they are here.
Our very dear friends and neighbors -- Harriet and Norman
Zoller. Thanks to Norman for today’s invocation. Special thanks
to Judge Beverly Martin for doing me the honor of administering
the oath. And thanks to David, Michael, Stan and Kevin for the
National Anthem. It still gives me chills.
I also thank my Hunton & Williams family and I am delighted that
so many of them are here, including my partner Robert Grey,
former president of the ABA, and the firm pro bono partner George
Hettrick. I would like for my Hunton & Williams family to stand
and be recognized.
We have some special clients with us as well, two of whom bought
tables for today’s luncheon. Teri McClure, General Counsel of
UPS. Teri is sitting with us and donated the entire UPS table to the
Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Kelly Ludwick and others in Chick-filA’s legal department surprised me by buying a table today. While
we did not have Chick-fil-A for lunch, we did have it for dinner
several times during Bard Show rehearsals and shows last week.
Thank you, and our other guests so very much for being here.
I also want to quickly mention three other groups -- one a
longstanding one for me -- public interest lawyers and another
June/July 2011
THE ATLANTA LAWYER
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