One of the events that I look forward to at the Massachusetts
Bar Association is the Annual Dinner. This year was no different --
although this year I had the privilege of being the master of
ceremonies. It was a great time, and it was even better to see the
lawyers in attendance enjoy themselves and, for maybe even a short
time, forget about the issues at the office. I've been to a number
of events that have been nice, but, at times, stuffy. Ours is
anything but stuffy.
As I was walking through the crowd I heard one young lawyer call
it the "lawyer's prom," which I thought was a fitting name. All
year long, we deal with serious issues of the bar. One night a
year, we put cases and issues aside and just have fun, with the
focus on hanging out with other lawyers and having a good time.
Throughout the year, we are proud to sponsor some of our
affiliated bars, and it was great to see so many come out and
support us at the Annual Dinner. You're an important part of our
family. As always I have to give a shout out to the Massachusetts
Association of Hispanic Attorneys (MAHA), which got me started on
this road. People come from all parts of the state -- some in a
limo, like the folks from the Hampden County Bar Association. (See,
it is like a prom!) Not only was it a responsible idea, but I could
tell that they were having a blast. It could have been the fact
that when I first saw them, they were tailgating. I wish I could
have joined them, but the emcee duties were calling (Jeff, Lisa and
the rest of the gang, save me a seat for next year.)
It was also great to see so many young lawyers and law students
in attendance. I was very impressed with the UMass Law School
Student Bar Association, who all came together. (Thanks for
allowing me to speak at your school this year.) These young lawyers
and students are our profession's future, and you could feel the
enthusiasm they bring. I know that the legal world will be in good
hands.
This year's Annual Dinner had fun in droves, and there was
plenty of funny as well. Keynote speaker Dennis Lehane's
reflections on Boston had everyone in stitches. It was a perfect
way to end the night.
Let's not forget it, and let's not wait until next year to
remember to have more fun. Let our Annual Dinner be a reminder to
take time to enjoy what we do -- and enjoy each other -- all year
long. Our upcoming Summer Networking Series in Springfield (June
16) and Boston (July 14 and Aug. 18) offers a great opportunity to
keep this camaraderie going.
Practicing law is a serious profession and a difficult job. We
deal with clients who are often under tremendous pressure and
stress, which ultimately lands on our shoulders. As we take on
these cases we know that on the other side is a lawyer as equally,
if not more, experienced who will as zealously represent their
client as we represent ours. And though this is sometimes exciting,
it is undoubtedly, at times, exhausting.
But events like our Annual Dinner remind us that we are members
of a very special profession, and we should celebrate that fact. So
let's commit to not taking ourselves so seriously, at least every
once in a while. As my great friend and mentor the late Peter Muse
always said to me: "You can't be serious all the time. Enjoy
life!" Pete, thanks for the advice. I'll see you all at next
year's prom!