"I wanted this year to be one of
relationships," said McIntyre, who concentrated on creating
partnerships among members of the MBA, affiliated and county bars,
courts and court personnel. With an association year that has been
challenging at times, McIntyre's focus on mindfulness in the
profession, building the leadership capacity within the MBA and
connecting with lawyers throughout the commonwealth has helped keep
the association devoted to serving the legal needs of the
public.
"Under Ed's guidance, we saw a
different perspective on leadership, one that is focused on
sensitivity and mindfulness," said MBA Vice President Marsha V.
Kazarosian. "These two attributes are often overlooked in our
day-to-day practice of law, but by Ed's example, he has effectively
raised our awareness. In doing so, he reminded us all of the true
meaning and importance of relationships and professional
courtesy."
McIntyre, a solo practitioner in
Clinton, approached his presidential term endeavoring to exemplify
the prized small-town values he was raised with: respect, dignity
and value for the individual. McIntyre believes lawyers should
incorporate mindfulness (a combination of self-awareness and
relationship-building skills) into their daily practice.
"Although mediation and conciliation
are not mindfulness, mediation and conciliation express an
awareness that we can be doing much better in the present moment
servicing the legal needs of people," said McIntyre. "Mindfulness
is not a destination; it is a way of being."
Influenced by his initial MBA
leadership position as the Judicial Administration Section chair in
2003, McIntyre has worked diligently during his presidency to
"leverage the skills of everyone to improve the court system." In
March, he spearheaded a Court Advocacy Day co-sponsored with the
Boston Bar Association, bringing together members of the legal
community to lobby for adequate court funding from the Legislature
― to ensure the courts' core functions and ability to provide
access to justice in light of the current economy and impending
trial court budget cuts.
"The MBA has been at the forefront
of obtaining the necessary resources for the courts," said MBA
General Counsel and Acting Executive Director Martin W. Healy.
"This year, we saw a continuation of these Herculean efforts."
Citing Court Advocacy Day as an
example of the legal community coming together because of stronger
relationships, McIntyre believes "[The MBA] has done some good, but
we are not done yet."
It was also through his work within
the MBA's Judicial Administration Section that McIntyre first
entertained the notion of serving as an MBA officer. MBA Past
President Richard C. Van Nostrand, who appointed McIntyre to his
section chair position, found that "Ed was always attuned to the
core values of the profession and the critical leadership role that
the law and lawyers play in society generally. He embraced that
role with courage and dedication and showed that he had the
potential to someday lead on a statewide level."
McIntyre, who still carries the
business card holder that Van Nostrand presented to him at the end
of his section chair term (McIntyre recently presented the same
token of appreciation to his terms' section chairs), believes he
has had a unique opportunity as president to "plant seeds" within
the association that will help lead the MBA into a bright future.
In an effort to produce "a long harvest of leaders," McIntyre
filled section councils with both seasoned attorneys and "a core
group of young people that I hope hang around the MBA for
years."
John G. Dugan, as the Probate Law
Section chair appointed by McIntyre this year, found his position
offered an opportunity to develop lasting leadership skills. The
Probate Law Section was instrumental in campaigning for Uniform
Probate Code overhauls for nearly two decades before the
legislation was finally passed in January. The Uniform Probate
Code, which assists the courts in implementing the new laws, rules,
procedures and forms, was a feat that required years of work from
many council members.
"Ed recognizes each member's efforts
and makes us feel like we are appreciated," said Dugan.
A communicator, McIntrye has found
open dialogue the most effective way to build partnerships. This
year, he established listening posts before every House of
Delegates meeting, convening a conversation between "county bar
personnel and the stakeholders" to figure out both how the MBA is
doing as a bar association and how it is perceived in the
community. "These listening posts were an important opportunity for
us officers to listen and digest what we were hearing from people
across the state," said McIntyre.
With President-Elect Valerie A.
Yarashus, McIntyre also organized MBA Leadership Roundtables,
monthly conversations among MBA leaders, who used the opportunity
to engage in conversations on books about leadership, developing
consensus and organizational communication.
"I have had hundreds, if not
thousands, of conversations with lawyers," said McIntyre of his
role. "This has been a tremendous learning opportunity for me."
In addition, McIntyre, a Vietnam
veteran, has given a strong voice to the MBA's Pro Bono Veterans
Initiatives, programs he credits Past President David W. White Jr.
for bringing to the MBA's attention and MBA Director of Public and
Community Services Elizabeth A. O'Neil for implementing.
"I think Ed is a compassionate
person," said MBA Treasurer Denise Squillante. "I think it is his
life experiences as a veteran - combined with his compassion - that
led to these initiatives."
McIntyre, who said he is
overwhelmingly impressed by the pro bono work lawyers are doing
across the country, subtly tied together his commitment to
community and his personal experiences as a veteran to prioritize
these community services.
McIntyre's dedication to the
profession, along with his ability to maintain a positive
perspective in the face of adversity, has helped steady the MBA and
its leadership during the external and internal pressures that the
association faced during the year.
"No school prepares you for this
job. I don't want a second year," said McIntyre, when asked about
the personal challenges he has faced as president. "I am doing
everything I can to bring Val to a better starting point than I was
at."
"There are a lot of different
personalities at the MBA - different ideas," said McIntyre. "All of
us care - care deeply about the profession, rule of law - but how
we get there generates debate and contention sometimes. Deliberate
dialogue can get us through those moments."
Now nearing the conclusion of his
term, McIntyre has been directing his energies toward making the
leadership transition for Yarashus as smooth and efficient as
possible. To that end, McIntyre has invited 2009-10 MBA officers,
Vice President-elect Richard P. Campbell and Secretary-elect
Jeffrey N. Catalano, to recent Executive Management Board meetings
to help acclimate them.
"All good leadership has to have
challenges to move forward," said MBA Secretary Douglas K. Sheff.
"In the midst of stress and pressure, Ed has remarkable
perspective. Ed pulls out the silver lining and inspires
people."
"Improving communication and developing leaders and leadership
skills are important," said MBA Vice President Robert L. Holloway
Jr. By addressing these, Holloway believes that McIntyre has
"seized all available opportunities in planting seeds for further
positive changes in our profession."
As Edward W. McIntyre finishes his 2008-09 term as Massachusetts
Bar Association president, he has set in motion a series of
collaborations within the legal community that serve as a bridge to
the MBA's future.