MBA President Jeffrey N. Catalano
Last year, the Massachusetts Bar Association promulgated
Civility Guidelines to "remind us all of the honor and dignity of
the profession we serve and our individual and collective
obligation to protect, repair, and enhance it on a daily basis with
politeness, professionalism, civility, decorum and manners." One of
the great privileges I have had in my year as president has been to
engage with so many leaders in this commonwealth who are living,
breathing examples of this decree.
These are legal leaders who are honorable and dignified and who
put the citizens of this state before their own personal agenda. I
have been able to shake hands and sit with so many impressive
leaders in the state and federal legislature, in our courts, in the
MBA and in so many other bar associations. They are amazing people
who understand and humbly respect the positions with which they
have been entrusted. They also respect others and treat them and
their concerns with compassion. They speak and act with the
integrity that their titles demand. They serve this state honorably
and selflessly. These are leaders who collaborate and have
civilized debates, even when they have very different points of
view. They all inspired me as they do so many others.
We here in Massachusetts are truly fortunate to be in such great
hands. Our leaders can be trusted to tackle major issues that
impact our lives, our families' lives and the lives of those
disadvantaged fellow citizens who need them. True, so many concerns
are yet to be addressed and our state coffers are certainly
constrained. But our leaders responded to the MBA's and others'
calls to fund legal services, expand the Housing Court, support
criminal justice reform and counter opioid addiction. I strategized
with those who courageously advocated to protect the rights of
minorities and LGBT people, as well as immigrants and those with
disabilities. I handed awards to those who receive too little
recognition (and remuneration) providing desperately needed legal
services. In short, I am pleased to report there is an abundance of
passionate individuals here dedicated to pursuing issues that are
essential to a healthy society.
I am proud that the MBA has always been standing alongside those
ready to bear the flag of equal justice for all. So I leave my
brief stint as the 105th president of the MBA with peace of mind
knowing that we are in good hands. And I look forward watching my
successor officers who will ensure that the MBA remains part of a
Massachusetts battalion that is an example of effective leadership
for the rest of the country.
I want to thank Marty Healy, my fellow officers, the MBA staff, my
partners, my family and all of you for the honor of experiencing
this journey, and for your support on behalf of all we strive to
do.