As I respond to people who ask, "Why should I belong to the Sacramento County Bar Association?" I have several responses, especially for solo practitioners and new lawyers-the opportunity for networking, substantive law and practice area section membership that is not available to non-SCBA members, insurance benefits, etc. There are opportunities for all lawyers, regardless of whether they are new or experienced and regardless of whether they work as solo practitioners, in large firm or small firms, or for public agencies.

Although it is important to stress what SCBA can do for lawyers, I am of the firm belief that all lawyers need to remember that we are in a profession. Yes, it is also a business, but it is a profession first. Our responsibility to our clients is much more important that our business concerns. For example, we have a responsibility not to abandon a client, even a nonpaying client. Therefore, when a lawyer determines that the pro bono client she takes on is no longer advantageous to her or her firm's practice, or a lawyer becomes overwhelmed with workload and feels he no longer has time for his pro bono work, returning a client to the referring agency is unacceptable.

One thing I say to all lawyers is that membership in your local bar association provides the opportunity to belong to a professional organization that is local and relevant to your practice in this county. If you don't see the relevance, it also gives you the opportunity to make changes through your membership and participation.

Some lawyers discover after a number of years of professional and financial success that they are not finding their practice relevant to their social ideals. SCBA can be an avenue by which you turn you legal skills to help inform the public about the legal system, improve access to legal services for the underserved, mentor young lawyers or those venturing into a new area of law, coach high school students in moot court or mock trial competition or contribute funds and services to the Sacramento Law Foundation or the Voluntary Legal Services Program.

One of the most important things we as professionals can do is to assure that professionalism is perpetuated through successive generations. Civility is a goal of the Chief Justice, and programs have been started throughout the state to improve civility among lawyers. However, that is only one step. Professional responsibility needs to be taken seriously by all lawyers long after the law school course and the required Professional Responsibility Examination. We need to help others, especially young lawyers, to recognize the importance of professional responsibility and to practice as professionals.

Early this year, in January, when your governing Council met with committee and section chairs, we learned that there is a great need for a program which helps lawyers connect with other lawyers who can provide substantive or procedural guidance from time to time. We decided to explore the establishment of an SCBA Mentoring Program. I am asking our Senior Lawyer Section to provide some leadership in this area, but this is a project in which of us can participate. If you are willing to help organize such a program or to be on the roster of resource attorneys, please call SCBA Executive Director, Carol Prosser at (916) 448-1087, extension 204.

Upcoming Events

Please mark your calendars for two important events on October 30, 2001. A free seminar on representing victims of hate crimes will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (location to be announced). VLSP is holding a fund raising phone-a-thon from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the KVIE television studio. I would urge you to consider volunteering to help make calls and, if you cannot help make calls, please respond positively when called.