Report on the FBA Mid-Year Meeting, March 19, 2011, Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia

By Brian C. Murphy, Esq.

The District of Columbia Chapter participated in the Mid-Year Meeting of the Federal Bar Association, held on March 19, 2011, at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town Hotel.

Representing the Chapter were President-Elect Steven Miller, Board Secretary Donna Fitzgerald, Chapter Delegate to the National FBA Brian C. Murphy, former Chapter President and Circuit Vice President Miles Ryan, and  former Chapter President and D.C. Circuit Vice President Ronald C. Crump.

The day was rich with meetings useful for the chapter, including a chapter workshop, with the exchange of ideas for programs, and featuring a presentation by U.S. District  Judge Jay Zainey [E.D. LA.], discussing SOLACE, a charitable organization founded to meet the needs of members of  legal communities.  SOLACE currently has a membership of some 7,000 lawyers in Louisiana, who have met medical, social and other personal needs of lawyers, judges, legal support persons, and their families, in extraordinary ways.  [One notable example involved the provision, on a pro bono publico basis,  of a medevac team and aircraft for an emergency transfer to the U.S.A. for a lawyer’s family member.]  The D.C. Chapter Board of Directors will be exploring  whether, and, if so, how the Chapter might support SOLACE-like activities within the District of Columbia’ legal community. 

Other notable events included a luncheon commemorating 20 years of service by Major General William K. Suter [U.S.A., retired] as Clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court.  General Suter has visited over 60 FBA chapters and has been a long-time friend and supporter of the D.C. Chapter.

In the afternoon, the National Council of the FBA [the Association’s parliamentary body] convened for a marathon session, discussing and debating at some length proposed revisions of the Constitution and Bylaws of the FBA.  Reports were also made by National President Ashley Belleau and on issues involving national membership, the budget, nominations for elective office, the Foundation of the FBA, the Government Relations Committee, the Federal Bar Building Corporation, and from Executive Director Jack Lockridge.  Plans were announced for the 2011 Annual Meeting and Convention, to be held in Chicago from September 7-10, 2011, with the 2012 Convention to be held in San Diego, and the 2013 Convention in San Juan, Puerto, Rico.

The Mid-Year and Annual meetings are open to all Chapter members, who are strongly encouraged to attend!

Respectfully submitted,

Brian C. Murphy

D.C. Chapter Delegate

  To the National FBA