In this month's LACHES, among other things, we spotlight a strong group of candidates for vacant and incumbent positions on the OCBA board of directors. Each of these individuals possesses strong credentials and has already provided great service to the OCBA through direct involvement in the organization and by elevating the practice of law in our county. Win or lose, I am grateful to each for committing their personal and professional time, energy, and thoughts to our organization.
If you are reading this article, you are likely already an active member in the OCBA or you have an interest in becoming more involved in the OCBA. For those considering a greater involvement in the OCBA, several paths exist, not the least of which include attending events, joining committees, leading committees, or participating in any of our several programs.
While the OCBA is a fantastic organization, we need more people - like our slate of candidates, who hail from different backgrounds and offer different experiences - to join, participate, and lead, because, with your help, we can do more.
Nearly 90 years ago, a group of young attorneys formed the OCBA for the purpose of serving the public and promoting collegiality among the attorneys of Oakland County. Today, the OCBA consists of approximately 2,400 members. These individuals come from a wide range of professional backgrounds: They are attorneys, administrative assistants, paralegals, law students, and our vendor affiliates. We are the largest voluntary bar association in the state of Michigan and are the only voluntary bar association in Michigan with our own lobbyist. We have a fantastic and dynamic executive director and a hardworking and friendly staff. The OCBA has a strong balance sheet and is a trusted steward of our members' financial investments in our organization.
But, with your help, we can do more.
Under the leadership of Past President Jim Parks in 2019, the OCBA made the concept of diversity and inclusion more than words on a page - we made it a priority. Jim assembled a large group of state and local stakeholders and leaders to work with diversity experts to discuss the lack of diversity in the practice of law. But, as Jim said at the conclusion of the meeting, its purpose was not just to discuss a well-known fact, but to understand the reasons behind a lack of diversity in the practice of law and to take actions to help effectuate change. In the last two years, in the wake of heinous public examples of discrimination and hatred, the OCBA has broadened its perspectives on diversity to include "equity and inclusion"; has engaged experts and presented seminars and other opportunities for discussion and learning; and has woven diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of our strategic planning.
But, with your help, we can do more.
Over my tenure as a member of the board of directors, I have seen the makeup of our board transform from being practically all white men to the current board, which is two-thirds women and more racially diverse. While we have not had a female president in a decade, our president-elect, vice president, and secretary are women.
But, with your help, we can do more.
The OCBA has nearly 30 committees that address nearly every substantive and procedural area of the law. The committees not only meet to discuss the law, but they frequently implement programs and events that elevate our collective knowledge of the law and foster collegiality among our membership. With the assistance of Vice President Sarah Kuchon, we recently formed our newest committee, the Lawyers Well-Being Committee, which we feel will provide a vitally important service to our membership.
But, with your help, we can do more.
Working with the Oakland County bench and the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO), the OCBA has engaged its membership in adapting to the impact of technology (hastened by the COVID-19 pandemic) in the practice of law. Members of the OCBA have participated in several roundtable discussions among attorneys, district and circuit court judges, and SCAO to provide our membership with an opportunity to be a part of the Oakland County Circuit Court's process of implementing the norms of the practice of virtual law. In addition, the board of directors has spent significant time evaluating and incorporating the impact of technology in our strategic planning, particularly with respect to the training of new lawyers.
But, with your help, we can do more.
As a member of the OCBA, by becoming involved in any way, you can have a significant influence on our organization and the practice of law. It starts with the simple yet significant act of voting for your board of directors. Please take just a few minutes to consider the candidates and cast your votes. Thank you.
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Kaveh Kashef is the 89th president of the Oakland County Bar Association.
