As I type that , I question if it ’ s really even been a year , as all sense of time seems to have become foreign to me . I ’ ll tell a friend that we went somewhere recently , only to then realize that I didn ’ t account for that year-plus of pandemic time in between ! But yes , it has been a year since I stepped into the role of SCBA President , and what a year it has been .
Thinking back to a few years ago when I was first nominated to serve as SCBA President , I remember having a conversation with Executive Director Holly Lipps about how I wasn ’ t looking forward to being in the spotlight and having to speak at various events . Never did I expect that a global pandemic would make those components of my role impossible to fill ! Some colleagues have mentioned that I got “ robbed ” of my year as President since I did not have an Installation Dinner , general membership meetings , and a large social event to enjoy . Yet , I don ’ t
SCBA NEWS
What a year it has been !
SCBA PRESIDENT ’ S COLUMN
Jennifer Grosso , Esq . Bentley Law Firm , P . A .
view it that way at all . This year has been difficult , time consuming , and has required me to adapt and utilize skills I didn ’ t realize I had . I learned how to navigate uncertainty , consider and balance differing opinions , and work with diverse personalities on sensitive issues . I ’ ve learned a lot about myself , and I would not trade those lessons for the spotlight .
Those who deserve the spotlight are our Boards of Directors and our Section leaders . They have been fabulous this year . We did not skip a beat , despite being virtual for most of the year . YLD President Sara Castro and SCD President Tony Mowry had to be particularly creative as in-person social and mentorship events are typically so much of their agendas , but they adapted without any problems . Council for Diversity and Inclusion Chair Retired Judge Karimu Hill-Harvey not only ensured the CDI seamlessly continued its programming but she spearheaded the addition of town hall discussions so we could
timely focus on and learn about current issues impacting our world . On top of that , our Association raised $ 100,000 to ensure that the Richard R . Garland Memorial Scholarship Program is fully endowed , guaranteeing the availability of this innovative program for diverse law students for the future . Quite a year .
I would be remiss if I did not mention SCBA Executive Director Holly Lipps . I thank her often in these articles , but I cannot stress how important she was to me and to the Association . When I mentioned that I learned so much over the course of the year , many of those lessons were directly from Holly . There were times when things were difficult , but Holly ’ s professionalism , grace , and sense of humor carried the day . I cannot thank her enough . In closing , it has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the SCBA ’ s President during this unprecedented year . The year showcased how strong our
See PRESIDENT , Page 7
Thanks to our SCBA Section Chairs 2020 – 2021
Alternative Dispute Resolution Interim Chair : Adria Jensen |
Appellate Law Co-Chair : Jesse Butler |
Appellate Law Co-Chair : Margaret White Small |
Business Law Chair : Joseph Herbert |
Civil Trial Chair : Jade Davis |
Elder Law Chair : Will Shaffer |
Estate Planning & Probate Chair : David Heedy |
Family Law Chair : Jenny Burns |
Labor & Employment Chair : Anne Chapman |
Real Property Chair : Nichole Christie |
Solo / Small Firm Interim Chair : Barbara Welch |
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THE DOCKET · AUGUST 2021 5