Section of State and Local Government







State & Local News
Vol. 21, No. 2, Winter 1998

Chair's Message
Why the Section Exists

By Frederick W. Leonhardt

Most contemporary organizations have adopted a mission statement and goals. The State and Local Government Law Section is no exception. The Section's mission statement is as follows: "The Section serves as a collegial forum for its members the profession and the public to provide leadership and educational resources in state and local government law and policy."

The Section's goals are as follows:

  1. To provide a forum which attracts and serves attorneys dealing with public law issues.

  2. To promote awareness of the scope and depth of public law problems, to provide interdisciplinary leadership and educational resources, and to formulate solutions and devise strategies to address these problems.

  3. To identify the challenging problems of conflicts of interest and ethics that arise in public law practice, and to provide education and guidance to address these challenges.

  4. To insure diversity in our membership, committees, CLE programs, and Section leadership.

  5. To increase participation of public sector attorneys and academicians in our membership, committees, and Section leadership.

  6. To develop relationships with organizations whose areas of interest compliment those of the Section.

  7. To develop strong Section leadership.

  8. To participate effectively in formulation and execution of (American Bar) Association policies and programs.

  9. To have fun.
During a recent discussion among our Section's leadership, I am proud to say that we concluded that we are what we say we are-a collegial forum of professionals working together and accomplishing these goals.

Ultimately, you, the members of the Section, are the judge and jury as to how well we are accomplishing our mission and these goals-and how relevant they are to you. Your "ballot" is the Section's membership dues box on your American Bar Association membership renewal form. We hope you will continue to mark your ballot in a favorable way, and to provide input to our Section. If you believe we are not what we say we are, please let me hear from you. We also are interested in hearing your suggestions for changing our mission statement and goals. Call me in Orlando at 407/244B5655 or send an e-mail message at fleonhar@ghrlaw.com.

Thank you.

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