The House of Delegates enthusiastically and unanimously urged lawyers across the state and nation to support former MBA President Michael S. Greco in his bid for President-Elect of the American Bar Association.
During the Delegates meeting Thursday as part of Annual Conference 2003 at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, members approved a resolution citing Greco's accomplishments as a trial lawyer, exemplary service to the MBA and proven leadership of the American Bar Association. Several members also spoke highly of Greco, including former MBA presidents Carol A.G. DiMento and Edward P. Ryan Jr., as well as member Robert Lucas.
"I know of no one who has served the lawyers of Massachusetts better or more capably than Mike," Lucas said.
Greco thanked the House of Delegates for support and also highlighted several goals he has for the ABA. These include an educational campaign regarding the importance of the legal profession; advocacy for the protection of the judiciary; improved legal services for the poor; a study of what can be done to deal with intensifying pressures facing lawyers today; and prioritizing the protection of civil liberties in America.
"I cherish our profession. I cherish this association and the American Bar Association," Greco said. "If given the opportunity to lead, I will not disappoint you."
In other business, the House of Delegates approved a resolution relating to the appointment and tenure of judicial officers. The resolution, proposed by the Judicial Administration Section, stated, "The election of judges in the first instance or the election of judges once having been nominated and confirmed in the customary manner would diminish the independence of the judicial office and adversely affect the quality and integrity of the Massachusetts Judiciary."
The House of Delegates also approved a resolution proposed by the Bar Association of Norfolk County. The non-binding proposal asks the Massachusetts Bar Association to explore undertaking a public relations campaign designed to improve the public image of attorneys.
MBA officers also established three major working groups to study and make policy recommendations on significant law-related issues in Massachusetts. The groups include the following:
• A Judicial Reform Task Force to be co-chaired by MBA President-Elect Richard Van Nostrand and MBA Treasurer Warren Fitzgerald that will examine current positions and policies of the MBA in relation to court administration and governance;
• A Judicial Evaluation Task Force to be co-chaired by MBA vice presidents Kathleen O'Donnell and John Dugan that will review the association's current position on judicial evaluations; and
• A Same-Gender Marriage Task Force to be chaired by MBA Secretary Mark Mason that will examine the current position of the association regarding same-gender marriage.