MBA Signature Initiatives
As a way to tackle important issues affecting a significant number of MBA members and those in the legal community as a whole, the MBA designates committees, establishes task forces and joins forces with like-minded groups to create positive change for the legal profession.
The key initiatives for the 2007-08 association year under the leadership of President David W. White Jr. are:
- Lawyers Eco-Challenge
The MBA has teamed up with the Conservation Law Foundation, New England’s leading legal and environmental advocacy organization, to encourage lawyers to reduce energy and resource consumption. More than a dozen lawyers on the MBA’s newly formed Energy and Environmental Task Force will create Green Guidelines and a pledge to help attorneys make their practices more Earth-friendly. The MBA and CLF will challenge lawyers and law firms to implement the guidelines and work toward greener practices.
- Sentencing Reform/Drug Policy Task Force
The MBA is advocating for reforms to the current sentencing system, including increases in education, training, and drug and alcohol treatment programs. In addition, the MBA believes Criminal Offender Record Information system reports, often used to check a person’s criminal background, should become limited after a specified period of years of no criminal activity.
- Veterans Pro Bono
The MBA and U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management have partnered to provide a pro bono program for veterans. Dozens of attorneys attended a free training in September to learn how to offer their complimentary services to veterans, who are struggling to navigate the legal system in the area of benefits.