This year's Law Day theme is Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy. The American Bar Association defines this theme as follows: "The future of our nation is in the hands of our young people. We all can and should play a role in assuring America's future by addressing the needs of youth and by focusing on the issues affecting them today. Many young people will come into contact with the legal system, whether through family court, foster care, or the juvenile justice system. In addition, all youth need to understand their rights and responsibilities under the law to become effective participants in our nation's civic life. The 2007 Law Day theme prompts us to listen to the voices of young people and consider how the law can better serve their needs and interests. It also encourages us to assure that our youth are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively make their voices heard within our democracy."

As a supporter of many local programs that focus on youth, I embark upon this upcoming year with a renewed focus and desire to explore new ways in which the SCBA contributes to our local community and its youth. Programs like Ruthe Ashley's State Bar Diversity Pipeline Task Force, the Center for Youth Citizenship's Annual Moot Court/Mock Trial Competition, and Operation Protect and Defend are well established examples of ways in which our membership can contribute just a couple hours a week and make a distinct impact on the lives our youth. I encourage you to become active and take advantage of the many opportunities to empower our youth.

I must say that I am thrilled about the privilege to continue my participation in the SCBA as this year's President especially because this is an exciting time for the SCBA. We are undergoing a makeover with everything from our upgraded and interactive website that allows online reservations for section events, to an expansion of this very magazine, to deliberating whether to move when our lease at 901 H expires in August 2008. This promises to be an exciting year that you won't want to miss!

January/February 2007