If I'm elected bar president . . .

Zamora

By NANCY ZAMORA
District 7 Representative

If I'm elected president of the State Bar, I will work with my fellow governors to get the job done for our membership and the public we serve.

As president, I will devote my energies to sustaining and strengthening the bar's core functions. Budgeting, personnel, admissions and discipline, inter-governmental relations, access to justice and professional development are all central to the bar's mission and viability. These functions will remain a top priority during my term.

My tenure as a board member for the last three years, plus my hands-on experience as the president of two major voluntary bar associations, provides me with the focus and perspective to deliver on this commitment.

Perhaps, most importantly, I know I can bring together board colleagues, section and committee members, and bar staff to forge ahead with this common purpose. I've done it before and I pledge to make this a central feature of my presidency.

So what else? I think we need to focus on member benefits. The bar's membership is one of the largest in the union.

There is no reason that we can't leverage all this purchasing power to secure more and better benefits for our members. This became abundantly clear to me as I became involved with the State Bar-sponsored insurance programs.

There is much to do here, especially given the malpractice insurance crisis that has afflicted our state. As president, I will not relent in seeking a solution to this problem for our membership.

There are other ways to make a difference for our members. We should strengthen the Lawyer Assistance Program. We have to improve our web site services. We should provide more discounts for goods and services. And, we should look into the development of a one-stop service center for our members. I will not stop until we've made progress on these fronts. Our membership deserves no less from us on the board.

Serving as president of the State Bar is a big job. I know that. After all, I think this is the greatest bar association in the country. But I wouldn't have tossed my hat into the ring if I didn't think I could meet the demands of this important position.

I've served with integrity as a board member. I've worked with diligence on bar projects large and small.

But I also bring a lifetime of experience to my candidacy. I've stuffed envelopes, walked precincts, served on non-profit boards, raised money and attended countless meetings in the service of causes I believe in.

Rest assured, the State Bar's mission is a cause I believe in. Rest assured, as president, our members will get only my best.