Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009
Yarashus celebrates launch of 2009-10 term as MBA president
Surrounded by family and friends, Yarashus praised for effectiveness, professionalism
About 200 bar leaders, colleagues and family members celebrated
the beginning of Valerie A. Yarashus' term as 2009-10 president of
the Massachusetts Bar Association on Sept. 24 at the Top of the Hub
in the Prudential Center in Boston.
"The common characteristics of the great ones are a depth of
personal character and exquisite judgment," said Leo V. Boyle,
Yarashus' partner at Meehan, Boyle, Black & Bogdanow PC in
Boston, in introducing her. "That is where Valerie excels. She is a
rock to many people."
Yarashus credited her success to the guidance of her mentors and
the support of her colleagues and family; she also thanked the
staff of the MBA. She noted that nearly 100 years ago, 30 lawyers
met to form the MBA as an all-inclusive bar association - at a time
when the profession was anything but - including African-American,
Jewish and women lawyers.
"Together, we are stronger than we are alone," she said.
In recognition of the MBA's centennial celebration next year, as
well as the organization's 50-year members honored at the event,
Yarashus drew a direct line between the MBA's past, present and
future.
"Like the founders of this wonderful organization, these 50-year
honorees have given themselves to causes larger than themselves,"
she said. "They've carried those values with them for the last 50
years, and now, our job is to carry those forward for the
future."
Click here to view event
photos.