One of the most important and energizing experiences for ABA leaders is connecting with a local legal community, and getting new perspective on important issues of the day.

This latest edition of the President’s Journal details how the ABA is reaching out to hear from its members, address thorny legal problems like truancy and foster care, and advance women lawyers in America’s corporate boardrooms.

Hearing from Members
Dozens of lawyers and judges met and shared their perspective with me during a special reception organized by the Memphis Bar Association and past ABA President Shepherd Tate. I learned a great deal from my time with these legal leaders, and was able to talk with some of the ABA's best and brightest volunteers who live in Memphis. Thanks to Bar President David Cook and Executive Director Ann Fritz for their efforts to begin the visit with such a positive, informative event.

Foster Care: Unique TN Program Involves ABA in Preparing Teens for Adulthood
The American Bar Association has asked all of its Tennessee members to mentor teenagers who will soon transition out of foster care into independent, adult living.

It's part of a new partnership between the ABA and the Tennessee Governor's "children's cabinet." The ABA announced the partnership in a joint appearance with Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, who had high praise for the ABA's leadership on the issue.

The importance of the partnership was underscored by a former foster care youth who testified to the importance of mentoring during the difficult "18 and out" period. While at the announcement site, I also learned firsthand from foster care youth about the key issues they face, and about the highly successful Youth Villages model which is helping them resolve their problems.

Other lawyers groups in the state, including the Tennessee Bar Association, also have agreed to put out the call for volunteers. If you are a Tennessean and would like to become involved, click here to learn more.

Truancy: Best Practices for Keeping Kids in School
Memphis is an excellent laboratory for examining the root causes of school truancy, and identifying creative solutions that other communities can adopt.

The Memphis City Schools record tens of thousands of missed school days each year, but their Student Attendance Review Board has made great strides in reducing the cases, getting children back in school, and helping children who are falling behind catch up and reconnect with their education. Their progress has led the center to be cited as a statewide model for other school districts.

This center is an inspiring and informative resource for anyone concerned with kids and education. I shared what I learned in an opinion-editorial that ran in the Memphis Commercial Appeal on February 19.

Dialogue on Key Legal Issues: Speech to the Memphis Rotary Club
In a room filled with hundreds of the city's top achievers, it was quickly evident from a show of hands how many Memphis leaders are lawyers, and ABA members.

Following a gracious introduction by former ABA President Shepard Tate, I spent an hour with these lawyer-leaders discussing a range of national legal issues.

I also paid tribute to Shepherd's many years of service to the ABA.

Women Lawyers: Breaking Down Barriers to the Boardroom
Another incredibly rewarding moment in my visit came from the extended dialogue I enjoyed with Memphis' women leaders. With a diverse mix of women ranging from corporate CEOs, law firm partners, and general counsels to judges and possible congressional contenders, I discussed raising women's participation in the highest levels of corporate America.

And click here to learn more about the Direct Women Initiative.

Additionally, the ABA very actively promotes and studies the issues of women in the legal profession via its Commission on Women in the Profession. Learn more about their work.

The Community Comes Together on Youth at Risk
The Memphis visit closed with standing-room only crowd of youth advocates gathering for a two hour discussion of the local issues surrounding truancy, foster care, and gang activity. Now, Memphis leaders are organizing follow up roundtable meetings so that experts in each field can continue to meet and address these problems together.