Thriving new food marketplaces have recently opened in Boston.
Perhaps you visited "Eatily" in the Prudential Center or the Boston
Public Market downtown. Upon entering, you're introduced to a
variety of appetizing options. Each section of the marketplace has
varying themes and high quality offerings to fit your needs. Yet
despite the diversity, there's an unmistakable community among the
vendors all seeking different but unified ways to make the
experience enjoyable for everyone who enters. Friendly faces
abound. People are excited to talk to you.
These marketplaces are a true study in dichotomies that combine
to work successfully. They are big but intimate, retail but
wholesome, planned but organic.
I think these marketplaces fulfill a longing for the special
qualities of the diminishing small family markets and the sincere
connectedness we feel with them.
I know that of which I speak. When I was little, my mother would
take me to "Catalano's Market," a little Italian store in Scranton,
Pennsylvania, owned by my Great Uncle Joe. I recall the friendly
greeting from my great uncle who was the butcher, always offering
me a slice of meat or cheese. After getting his delicious Italian
sausage, we'd walk down the creaky wood floors to the register
where my Great Aunt Angie worked. I couldn't get past her without
telling her how I was doing in school, what position I played in
baseball and, importantly, being told to be nice to my little
sister and mind my parents. I received early lessons in the civic
virtues of personal engagement, respectful relationships, and the
rules of civility. Like all of their customers, I left enriched,
educated and enlightened on many levels.
These are the exact qualities and experiences that the MBA
provides. The MBA is, in fact, a thriving legal marketplace of
ideas. It shares the important characteristics of these modern food
eateries. We have various sections with different themes and high
quality offerings. You can shop for free CLEs taught by experts
that fit your professional needs. Consume the wisdom of others
through our numerous articles in the Lawyers Journal.
Come and embrace the vibrancy of our diverse community that's
continuously seeking ways to make you more successful and happy. We
are constantly aiming for ways to please every generation of lawyer
across the state, all of whom are our customers. Friendly faces
abound. People are excited to talk to you. There's an abundance of
kindness and personal relationships that are the ingredients of all
successful businesses like the new marketplaces and old Catalano's
Market. Connect and develop friendships with people who genuinely
care about how you are doing, professionally or personally. And, we
also happen to provide really good free food and drink at many of
our events.
So if this sounds appetizing, get more involved and invite
someone to the next CLE, lecture or event. Let's help each other to
feel that special connectedness that's missing from most of our
days.
And be sure to come to the MBA's outstanding Annual Dinner on
May 4, and engage with other interesting attorneys and judges.
Celebrate our brothers and sisters who are awarded for championing
access to justice for the less fortunate. Listen to acclaimed
author and CNN senior analyst Jeffrey Toobin, who will be giving
the keynote address. I'm confident you will leave enriched,
educated and enlightened on many levels.