The Daily Record of Rochester, January 17, 2008, Thursday
Copyright 2008 Dolan Media Newswires
The Daily Record of Rochester (Rochester, NY)
January 17, 2008, Thursday
The year 2007 is over but it will never be forgotten. It is a year that will be remembered for many things, both good and bad. It was a year that saw our legal community reach historic milestones, while others were set back by dissention, turmoil and strife.
As we look ahead to the new year, we realize many more things remain to be done in 2008.
Of historic milestones reached by our legal community, few stand above the selection of the Monroe County Bar Association's first African-American President, T. Andrew Brown, who was selected as president-elect and chosen to lead the MCBA in the year 2008.
Brown is the managing partner of Brown & Hutchinson, the community's only minority owned and operated law firm. Prior to launching Brown & Hutchinson in 1994, he also served as deputy county attorney for Monroe County. In addition to serving as a tremendous advocate for clients, since 1996 Brown also has been a mediator and an arbitrator on the commercial, international and employment panels of the American Arbitration Association.
He also is former general counsel of the National Bar Association, the largest association of attorneys and judges of color in the world. Brown is a frequent presenter on legal matters at seminars and conferences, and has written and published many articles on an array of legal topics. His leadership is welcome and will follow the remarkable leadership of Thomas G. Smith. In July, Smith will leave the MCBA and all of its members in very good hands.
The year also saw the law firm of Harris, Chesworth, O'Brien, Johnstone, Welch & Leone LLP, make Lamarr J. Jackson the firm's first-ever African-American woman partner. It is of little wonder why the firm chose to make Jackson a partner. Her long and distinguished service to the legal and general community is highlighted by her service on the board of directors of the League of Women Voters, the advisory council of Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and the board of directors for the United Way. Jackson also is a founding member of the Rochester Women's Network and currently is an adjunct faculty member of Keuka College and Cornell University. Congratulations, Ms. Jackson, on a remarkable achievement.
In a milestone just as notable as Jackson's achievements, H. Todd Bullard joined the law firm of Harris Beach PLLC as a partner. Bullard is a former Monroe County legislator, and served as vice-chairman of the ways and means committee during that time. He was the Monroe County Legislature's assistant minority leader and previously served as the minority leader. Bullard has provided sound service on important community committees such as the Urban League of Rochester, Legal Aid Society, Rochester Preservation Board, the Center for Dispute Settlement and Action for a Better Community Inc. 's board since 1994. Congratulations, Mr. Bullard, as your achievements and commitment to the community serve as a guiding light to all young attorneys.
On Sept. 4, 2007, the Rochester Black Bar Association honored Maureen T. Alston, managing partner of Harter Secrest & Emery LLP as a "Champion of Diversity" for tireless efforts and relentless commitment to the cause of diversity. Under Alston's leadership and direction, Harter Secrest welcomed John V. Elmore to the firm as its first African-American partner.
Nov. 8, 2007, saw MCBA President Smith mobilize the local bar in support of fellow barristers in Pakistan. Smith recognized early that the plight of Pakistani attorneys, although seemingly a world away, is a plight that should be felt right here at home in the United States as well. Smith realized that in order to be a champion of justice, one must be a champion of justice for all. His leadership with the MCBA this year has been inspiring and serves to remind all of us of what it means to be at the forefront of change.
On Jan. 3, Iowa made national history as a state that saw a record turnout for the Election Caucuses. While its electorate is 95 percent Caucasian, for the first time in its long history, Iowans chose an African-American, Barack Obama, as their nominee to run for president of the United States for the Democratic Party.
The decision speaks volumes for the progress we as a country have made in race relations since the 1960s. As we move forward with the electoral process, no matter who the ultimate winner of the presidency is, we as a nation have all won. Iowa has shown the rest of the country that it is possible to realize Martin Luther King Jr. 's dream that all people will be judged not by the color of their skin but the content of their character.
I've only outlined a small fraction of the historic achievements of 2007. Some of you may say these were small, or meaningful only to the person who was honored or recognized. I say that with each one of these achievements we have knocked down a barrier, built a bridge, taken another step on the road of change - and I welcome the journey.
Langston D. McFadden is an attorney engaged in the private practice of law with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, Rochester. He maintains a practice in the area of civil litigation and represents the interests of corporate and individual clients. For consultations or to obtain a referral, call (585) 232-6500.
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