PRESIDENT ' S MESSAGE
GRATITUDE AND RESPONSIBILITY
Margaret Hughes Vath Georgia State University School of Law
What an honor to be inducted as the Atlanta Bar Association’ s 110th President. I am well aware that this role comes with privileges as well as obligations.
As, to whom much is given much is required. out of the stack. Not because of my grades, which were good. And not because I had Cobb County connections, which I did not. But because the last line on my résumé showed my commitment to service, as a volunteer at Ronald McDonald house. Thank you Sara.
My first conscious recollection of hearing this expression was at law school orientation where the dean reminded us that yes, much has been given to us; we were privileged. And he admonished us to not be complacent, not to rest on our laurels.
Because, to whom much is given much is required.
And we were privileged. But, we were also fresh, bright faces yearning to make a difference; to seek justice; to right wrongs. As law students, and then as lawyers, we swore an oath and we recognized and accepted that our obligations extend above and beyond.
And all through law school I continued to volunteer and to give back, and all through my years in private practice, I continued to volunteer and to give back.
Remembering that, to whom much is given much is required.
And my career path led me to academia. And boy, do I love it. Not only do I not miss living my life in six-minute increments, but I feel like I’ m helping people every day. I ' m molding new lawyers. Their fresh, bright faces yearning to make a difference; to seek justice; to right wrongs.
Judge Bodiford, who is the judge that performed the swearing-in of the new Atlanta Bar Board of Directors at the annual meeting, is the very same judge that swore me in as a new lawyer nearly nineteen years ago. He also gave me my first legal job; I was honored to serve as a clerk for him the summer after my 1L year. His public service was— and is— an inspiration. Thank you Judge.
And I probably wouldn ' t have even gotten that interview if it wasn ' t for Sara Clay who pulled my résumé
And I am quick to remind them: To whom much is given much is required.
And as much as that mantra has driven me, that is not why I first joined the Atlanta Bar. I didn’ t know— at first— about the variety of programs, networking, and pro bono opportunities. Rather, I joined because of a boisterous band of singing and dancing lawyers led by the spectacular Cathy O’ Neil. Thank you Cathy.
And from there I met Atlanta Bar leader David
6 June / July 2017