Reemerging as Lawyers Who Serve
preserve the Atlanta Bar ’ s rich and storied heritage .
For those of us who have for many years supported and been involved with the Atlanta Bar , that heritage that is near and dear to each of our hearts . Reflecting over time , the years often seem short , despite the days being long . Each of us has not arrived here in 2022 with ease . There have been many challenges , some unique and others shared ; the latter perhaps no less so than over the past two years .
In my remarks last month , I asked who remembered what they were doing on May 21 , 2019 . It , at first blush , would seem a simple question . With the multitude of changes since then , who could rightly say for certain . I did not recall either ; at least not until I began preparing for this year ’ s Annual Meeting . In doing so , I discovered that 2019 was the last Annual Meeting where we were able to welcome our members and gather in-person with one another .
CHRISTOPHER P . LIGHTNER Alston & Bird LLP chris . lightner @ alston . com
O n May 17 , 2022 , I was honored to be inducted as the 115th President of the Atlanta Bar Association . It was a humbling experience , especially given the legacy left by the leaders that have held this position before me .
As did my predecessors , I intend to strive daily to
Less than a year later , the entire world seemed to turn upside down amid a pandemic . We each , both personally and professionally , have weathered significant challenges . The Atlanta Bar did as well . Unsurprisingly , I have watched as each of you — like the Bar — have adapted and remained resilient . Some have learned to juggle appearing professional on a video conference while having school-aged children underfoot attempting ( often unsuccessfully ) to navigate “ remote learning .” Others had to make sacrifices , foregoing long-loved hobbies , even visits with family and friends .
Through it all , each of us found new ways to remain meaningfully engaged . That has been true also with the Atlanta Bar . We have consistently hosted virtual programming , starting in 2020 with Past President , Craig Cleland ’ s thoughtful “ Zooms at Noon .” Our Membership Committee led the charge in 2021 with open forum sessions with multiple groups of metropolitan Atlanta area judges . Creative programming will continue to be developed in 2022 and beyond .
Indeed , despite all the challenges and changes that we have faced , over three years since May 2019 – we are still here . We are each still dedicated to the Atlanta Bar . Oftentimes I field the question : Why ? WHY
4 June / July 2022