4 | January/February 2023 | BAEC Bulletin
Letter from the President
One privilege I have had as President is an invitation from Judge McCarthy to speak at a recent Naturalization Ceremony. It has been a highlight of my year and I am not overstating things to say it was one of the most meaningful things I have done in my career. This group of new citizens came to this country from 25 different countries. Some had risked their lives to get here. There was such pride and gratitude to be in that room and welcomed as citizens. It was such a beautiful reminder of unity, despite all the issues and divisiveness we may be experiencing as a nation right now. I am so grateful to my ancestors for taking the same steps as those in that room so that I could enjoy the rights and privileges of being American. Judge McCarthy asked if I would share my comments from that day and you will find them on page 18 . As I have with my previous letters, I dedicate this letter to someone who has been meaningful to my career. I have such admiration for the women who entered this profession in the generations before mine. I think of how difficult and lonely it must have been for them as they blazed the trails and broke barriers. I think of Maryann Saccomando Freedman who became this Association’s, and then the New York Bar Association’s first woman president. Mostly, I was personally and professionally impacted by Maureen Hurley. She was the first woman General Counsel and Executive Team Member at Rich Products. These women kicked the doors of our profession open to females, often at a great personal cost. They were not afforded the paid maternity leaves, flexible work arrangements and on-site day care centers some of us take for granted today. Spending most of my career working for Maureen, I experienced the generosity of spirit that fought to make things easier for the women that followed her. It would have been understandable for her to think those who came after her should have to earn their way to the table by overcoming the same obstacles she did. Instead, she worked tirelessly to make things easier for the women who followed her, removing barriers and supporting women every step of the way. She is a treasured role model, mentor and friend who impacted my career and my life in so many positive ways. I am forever grateful to her. With gratitude, Jill • Editor’s note: President Bond’s Thanksgving message on recovery has been recognized for a national award by the ABA’s National Council of Bar Presidents. This is the second year in a row that the NCBP has honored a BAEC President for their writing and impact. READ PRESIDENT JILL BOND’S REMARKS AT THE OCTOBER 27, 2022 NATURALIZATION CEREMONY FOR NEW AMERICANS ON PAGE 18
JILL K. BOND President Bar Association of Erie County
Dear Friends, As I write this message, I realize that I am more than halfway through my term as your President. The Board of Directors and Bar Association Staff have been working hard with me to deliver on my commitments to the membership. I told you I was committed to wellness, specifically the mental health of our attorney members. When I shared the story of my own struggles with my mental health and substance use disorder, I hoped that those struggling might be inspired to seek help, or at least know that they are not alone in their struggle. I am happy that the letter resonated with some of our members and our Member Assistance Program, Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee and Bar Foundation have seen increased activity from our members. I am sad that we struggle, but so happy that we have resources in place to help and that our members are increasingly taking advantage of those resources. Life can be hard, and our profession grueling, even at the best of times. This past year has been especially tough for Western New Yorkers. Look out for each other. Sometimes people need someone to listen, sometimes they need to be pointed in the direction of help and this association can provide that help. As promised, we are in the midst of a strategic planning process. The Bar Association of Erie County was formed in 1887 and had never had a strategic plan or a vision for our future. To start this work, we did a comprehensive survey of our membership just as the pandemic started and acquired valuable information about what we did well and where we have room for improvement. We learned what our members would like to see from their bar association. As we started the planning process in 2022 , we completed additional interviews with many members representing each demographic group in terms of age, race, gender, practice areas, work environment, etc. and learned even more about what our members need from us. Now our team is engaging in a series of all day sessions to develop our vision for the future and our plans to best serve our members going forward. I am so thankful to the team of members dedicating their time and talent to helping me get this done for the association and our members.
SEE OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING TEAM IN ACTION ON PAGE 22
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