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CHAIR’s Message
By Patricia E. Salkin
Patricia E. Salkin is Chair of the Section and the director of the Government Law Center at Albany Law School in Albany, New York.
Although it might seem difficult to top an extraordinary Fall Section Meeting in Albany, New York, in October 2003—a meeting that witnessed a capacity crowd, one of our largest ever—the 2004 Spring Meeting in New Orleans is shaping up as a major contender. Thanks to the dedicated contributions of our Committee Coordinator Justina Cintrón and the hardworking committee chairs and program chairs, the March 25–28 New Orleans meeting has something for everyone! Please read through the program information on pages 6-7 of this issue and consider joining us for CLE, networking and a great time in the Big Easy!
The Section is pleased to lend its co-sponsorship to the February 27–28 program on affordable housing sponsored by the ABA Forum on Affordable Housing. For Section members interested in housing issues, this Miami Beach, Florida conference offers critical cutting-edge workshops and opportunities to meet attorneys whose practices focus on many aspects within housing law.
Our Section publications program is now under the superb leadership of Donna Pugh from Chicago, Illinois. The Publications Oversight Committee has modernized our book program and we are inviting Section member input. Take the time to send us an e-mail or a note to let us know what topics you would like to see addressed by a book. Even better, consider becoming one of our Section authors—if you are interested, but have never published before, we’ll help you! Special kudos to Professor Tom Roberts (Wake Forest School of Law), chair of The Urban Lawyer Advisory Board, and Professors Julie Cheslik and Robert Verchik (UMKC School of Law), co-editors of The Urban Lawyer. This nationally recognized law review continues to attract a perfect mix of articles from academics and practitioners, making it the most cited legal publication on government law and policy. If book writing sounds too daunting, consider submitting a piece to The Urban Lawyer. Professor Dale Rubin (Appalachian School of Law) welcomes submissions for our wonderful Section newsletter from all Section members. These are all ways in which you can contribute to the Section without leaving home or the office.
This year I have had the pleasure of hearing from many Section members who want to get more involved. The best way to de-mystify the ABA and our Section of State and Local Government is to attend a meeting. Our Membership Committee, under the leadership of Karen Mathis, is always on the lookout for "first timers" at our meetings. Simply by being a member of the Section, you are each welcome at all of our meetings and events—and I guarantee the value of the business cards and contacts you will receive by attending will far outweigh the cost of ABA and Section membership. In all of my years as an active Section member, I cannot recall a member showing up to a meeting only once and not coming back again because the meeting didn’t meet expectations. Warning: Once you show up in person, it will be hard to leave without receiving an opportunity to continue to contribute your time and talents to the Section.
Special thanks, as always, to our outstanding Section staff—Jackie Baker and Alice Bare—who make everything that the Section leadership touches look good! Linda Castilla and Lori Nicoll, meeting staff at the New York State Bar Association, deserve our admiration and thanks for a wonderful joint Fall Meeting with the Municipal Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. Thanks also to the NYS Bar’s Committee on Attorneys in Public Service who hosted an outstanding reception for us at the Governor’s Mansion.
As always, the volunteer leadership of the State and Local Government Law Section remains committed to keeping our Section relevant and to providing value to all of our members. Your ideas, suggestions, and advice are always welcome.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!