It has been my honor to serve as 2016 MCBA President. Thank you for your trust and support. The opportunity to observe our legal community from this vantage point has been an eye-opening. Marin's Bar holds a special place in the County. Our history is deep and our mission remains vital. Membership in MCBA is a privilege—working to enhance the community should be embraced.

The key to MCBA's continued success depends on the participation of its members. I ask as you renew your membership for 2017 that you take a second to assess where you might participate. There is vitality to each of the MCBA practice sections. Participating in the meetings and/or finding an interesting speaker makes each of greater value to your peers. Working on one of the many MCBA committees adds to our greater strength. Participating as a volunteer in Lawyers in the Library, Modest Means Mediation, Settlement Conferences or Fee Dispute Resolution presents opportunities to give back to our profession.

I understand the pressures each of us have on our time. Yet, I ask that each of you try to carve out a bit of time to participate. Commit to taking one additional step in 2017—just make a bit of a stretch. My guess is you will feel better about yourself, the practice of law, and the community in which you spend so much time. If we all do just a little more, imagine how much more we can accomplish.

The MCBA Board and Executive Committee have been a pleasure to work with. I thank them for their great ideas and hard work. I also extend my personal thanks to each of our Section Chairs and Committee Chairs for their tireless efforts on MCBA’s behalf.

MCBA is fortunate to have a highly motivated, amazingly energized, and talented staff. Executive Director Mee Mee Wong has helped me every step of the way and I thank her for her patience and dedication to our organization. She needs special recognition for putting up with yours truly and I remain forever thankful for her guidance. Things that went well this year were of her making; those that less well done, they are all mine. Membership Manager Kathie Gaines has been a wonderful support person in every project. Mee Mee and Kathie have a strong working relationship and have accomplished more that you would think possible with only two staff people. Exhibit A is MCBA's great new website.

Thank you again for the opportunity you have given me. I look forward to continuing participating in MCBA for years to come.