The State Bar Association of North Dakota Spring 2013 Gavel Magazine | Page 2

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

President, SBAND

Gail Hagerty

I think it’s a trial judge thing. I tend to make up my mind relatively quickly. I know what I think is important. Trial judges must have some ego to do their jobs. We must make decisions quickly and we have to live with those decisions. If we can’t handle being reversed on occasion, we’re in trouble. And, usually at least half of the litigants we work with think we’re wrong. (The personality differences between a trial judge and an appellate justice are particularly apparent in our home. When a kid makes a request, I tend to rule quickly, while Justice Sandstrom tends to ponder. When a kid appeals my decision to the other parent, Justice Sandstrom points out that it would take a majority of the Supreme Court to overrule me.) I’ve written about things that are important to me – uniform laws and organ donation. But there are many more. One of the things I find to be important in my professional life is involvement with the State Bar Association of North Dakota. SBAND is an organization which strives to be of service not only to the membership, but also to the public. Dedicated attorneys and members of the public serve on many committees which make policy, consider complaints, and provide service. As with other organizations, the true strength of the organization is most obvious to those who become involved. And becoming involved is as easy as expressing and interest, asking a question, or following up on a commitment to volunteer. SBAND

regularly asks for volunteers for committee assignments. Local bar associations are active and always looking for members who want to participate in activities. There are people who just seem to make SBAND work, and I want to recognize some of them, even at the risk of failing to mention everyone who should be thanked. Bill Neumann is retiring in June after eight years of service as executive director of SBAND. Bill’s low-key friendly approach to members of the association has been a great asset. Bill brought with him experience as a trial judge and Supreme Court justice when he took the position as SBAND executive director. He immediately took on the role of “just plain” Bill, preferring not to be addressed as “Justice.” Bill has devoted himself to building up lawyers and the legal profession. He’s been a credible and effective spokesperson for the profession. Thank you, Bill. Jeanne Schlittenhard is the “go to” person for any questions about SBAND operations. Truth be told, she’s trained more than one executive director. Her constant good nature is especially admirable when you consider the constant demands and the range of activities which fill her days. The SBAND staff is a wonderful group of people, and as I’ve worked with the Board of Governors I’ve come to recognize their dedication and willingness to go beyond what is asked of them to keep the association healthy. It’s been a privilege to work with the Board of Governors for the past three years. The Board meets many times each year, generally on Saturdays and often the schedule is a predictor of bad weather. The meetings can be long, with agendas packed with issues of importance to the profession. The Board is made up of a number of younger attorneys and then there are veterans. We need both new ideas and new energy and institutional memory and longterm connections with other organizations. I know Nancy Morris will be a wonderful president of SBAND as we move forward in

2013 - 2014. So, letSBANDtogether at the annual meeting in Bismarck June 12 to 14. The annual meeting is a bargain - those who attend receive far greater benefit than the price would reflect. The continuing legal education provided is a bargain, and will feature our 11th Constitutional Symposium, featuring the journey of Chief Standing Bear to be recognized as a man for the purpose of access to the federal court. The 2013 Vogel Lecture Series presentation is on civility and professionalism. The annual meeting is a great chance to meet with friends and will feature the Bar Foundation Silent Auction and a raffle for an incredible quilt created by a group of quilting lawyers! I look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting!