One of the greatest privileges of being ABA president is the chance to see firsthand the extraordinarily diverse, creative and robust programs being developed to improve the delivery of justice — across the country and around the world.

In April, I spent three very exciting days in Seattle, witnessing several examples of the legal community at its best.

It was an honor to meet with a group of two dozen young, dedicated lawyers providing pro bono services to immigrants seeking asylum and other forms of relief. They work under the auspices of Volunteer Advocates for Immigrant Justice, a joint initiative of the ABA Commission on Immigration and the Microsoft Corp.

The next morning, some 1,500 lawyers and others gathered for the King County Bar Foundation's annual Breakfast of Champions. The event raised an amazing $300,000 for the foundation’s diversity scholarship fund.

Attendees were treated to the extraordinary story of Lena Madden, who – at the age of 15 – was an unwed mother and the victim of an abusive relationship. Inspired by lawyers and judges she met during this challenging period of her life, Lena began to dream of entering the law herself.

While working as a paralegal for one of those lawyers, Lena resumed her education. Today, helped by a scholarship from the state bar foundation, she expects to graduate with honors from Seattle University Law School, and assist other young women as she was helped.

Examining emerging issues that concern our youth and the law that surrounds them, is truly an important mission. During the visit, the Washington State Bar’s new Juvenile Law Section held a Youth at Risk Summit at Seattle University, which featured an incredible passionate gathering of lawyers dedicated to helping young people. The summit also provided an opportunity to outline the ABA’s rapidly progressing Youth at Risk Initiative.

The trip offered a chance to discuss other ABA projects as well. Earlier that day, two different and equally compelling programs occurred. At a breakfast for women bar leaders, we discussed the DirectWomen Initiative, which trains women lawyers to serve on corporate boards. At a subsequent session, we discussed the Second Season of Service initiative, which is helping aging baby boomer lawyers transition out of the full-time practice of law into other service opportunities.

Many individuals worked tirelessly to help make the Seattle trip a success, among them Washington State Bar President Ellen Dial and ABA Board of Governors member Kathleen Hopkins, to name just two. Connecting with Washington State and King County bar leaders and association members was extremely gratifying. Many thanks to all for your hard work and dedication.