eJournal

MBA President Victoria M. Santoro

The following President’s Message was originally emailed to members on March 12.

Dear MBA Members,
 
I want to start with a note of gratitude. This may perhaps be an unexpected place to start, but I think it's the most important. This year has brought with it incredible challenges to our profession and the pillars of our work that we hold dear. However, what I see on a daily basis are MBA lawyers who are committed in the face of adversity, kind and welcoming in the face of intense burnout, and resolute despite serious attacks on our role in the community. I wrote to all of you several weeks ago that we would "meet chaos with consistency." You, our MBA members, have met and exceeded that goal. I am so grateful for your work and your presence as we navigate these unchartered waters.
 
We are an organization of lawyers, and our profession has been placed at the center of innumerable critical issues central to our clients. And we now find ourselves directly attacked, most notably through an executive order punishing a major law firm, Perkins Coie, for its representation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and for its DEI initiatives. Covington & Burling was targeted in a separate executive order. This type of government action against private law firms is unacceptable. This type of government action against law firms for their representation of a client could chill a client's choice of legal counsel if the law firm fears political retribution. The freedom in one's choice of legal counsel is of utmost importance in a democratic society. Lawyers themselves should not fear government retribution for their representation of a client. 
 
As to the continued attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, the MBA was the first state bar association, only three days into the Trump administration, to steadfastly defend our diversity initiatives and position. Coverage can be found here. I have continued to be resolute in our position. Further coverage can be found here.
 
In keeping with the MBA’s important role of providing our membership with timely and substantive education to facilitate our continued, and legal, commitment to DEI initiatives across the Commonwealth, we have assembled expert panelists for a Town Hall discussion on DEI on March 20, 2025, at 6 p.m. This event has been co-sponsored by the WBA, MBLA, MBWA and the LGBTQ Bar Association, it is open to all and we urge you to attend. Click here to register.

Next week's House of Delegates meeting will see votes on statements supporting the Rule of Law and our LGBTQ community.
 
As ever, we are stronger together.