Section of State and Local Government







State & Local News
Vol. 21, No. 1, Fall 1997

Chair's Message

By Frederick W. Leonhardt

Frederick W. Leonhardt is Chair of the Section and practices law with the firm of Gray Harris & Robinson, PA, in Orlando, Florida.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as Chair of this Section. I have been an ABA member and a Section member since 1974. This is an exciting time in state and local government law and, with your help, we will have another good year.

The Section has benefited from the leadership of Past Chair Janice Griffith, dean of the Georgia State University Law School. Our dedicated volunteers and staff have created many exciting programs, legal education opportunities, and publications.

Let me share with you my top ten reasons for being a member of the ABA and this Section:

  1. As a private practicing lawyer, it is professionally stimulating to meet and work with outstanding lawyers in my field from all over the country.

  2. The CLE offered by the ABA generally and our Section in particular is some of the best available anywhere. I now get most of my Florida Bar required CLE credits from attending ABA meetings.

  3. The Urban Lawyer, the Section's quarterly law review, provides an excellent resource guide of stimulating articles and book reviews.

  4. The Section's newsletter provides news, short articles, and timely information on a quarterly basis. This is often helpful in my daily practice.

  5. The Section's books are very helpful in my daily practice.

  6. Our Section combines private practicing attorneys with attorneys for public agencies and representatives from the academic community into a collegial group that works together for a common purpose.

  7. The Section meets periodically in interesting places where I probably would not go if it were not for the Section's activities.

  8. Section lawyers monitor emerging legal and policy issues in my field, and I am almost always "ahead of the curve" on information as new things start to happen.

  9. Section committee service provides excellent networking opportunities.

  10. The legal profession needs a national organization to represent its interests. Please get involved! You may find many of the same benefits. All you need to do is call our Section Administrator, Jackie Baker, at 312/988-5652 or call me at 407/244-5655. My e-mail address is fleonhar@ghrlaw.com.

    I will look forward to working with you throughout this year.