The Fba
Report from FBA 5th Circuit Vice-President
As one of two FBA Vice-Presidents for the 5th Circuit, I want to thank you for the support of the San Antonio Chapter and the entire FBA organization. Many opportunities are offered by the FBA to enhance your professional career, to foster relationships between practitioners and the judiciary, and to offer service back to the community. In this first column, I take the opportunity to update you on several outstanding matters of concern to the FBA, as well as inform you of a few of the areas in which the FBA can serve you.
This spring, the FBA expressed its concern about judicial security after members of Judge Joan Lefkow's family were murdered in Chicago. FBA President Tom Shuck wrote President Bush, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Deputy Attorney General Richard Hertling and representative leaders of both the House and Senate expressing the FBA's concern that funding be provided for the increase in judicial security. To read the letters log onto the FBA website at www.fedbar.org, click on Hot Topics and view the letters.
On a more internal note, during the April Mid-Year meeting held in Washington, D.C., Robert Clark, chair of the FBA Governance Committee, presented a proposal for restructuring our current governing body. The proposal was vigorously debated during the Mid-Year Meeting. Mr. Clark made note of delegates suggested changes to the proposal. A revised proposal is currently in the works and will be presented to the delegates in the read ahead materials before the September Annual Convention and Meeting. If you would like to review the governance proposal please log onto the FBA website at www.fedbar.org, click on Hot Topics and go to Resources, which provides a link to the Governance Review Slide Presentation from the 2005 Mid-Year Meeting.
The FBA also has a voice on Capitol Hill. Bruce Moyer, a government relations attorney, provides counsel to the FBA. Mr. Moyer's representation of the FBA has been significant over the years in making the voice of practitioners and judiciary known on Capitol Hill. For instance several years ago the FBA, with Mr. Moyer's help, was instrumental in obtaining an increase in judicial pay.
The Federal Lawyer Magazine is a publication sent 10 times per year, free of charge to all members. The Federal Lawyer Magazine is edited by the San Antonio Chapter's own Craig Gargotta to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for taking responsibility to produce such an excellent publication containing articles concerning the latest and hottest topics in federal law.
The FBA provides 20 substantive law sections and 5 career divisions which you can join as a member. Each of these sections and divisions provide newsletters and many provide additional CLE opportunities. Sections and divisions require a small membership charge to cover administrative costs. The potential nationwide networking opportunities among section and career members is invaluable. I invite you to visit the local chapter website www.fedbarsa.org and the national Federal Bar website at www.fedbar.org.
I remind you that the Annual Convention and Meeting will be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida September 22-24. All members are welcome and specific information about the Annual Convention and Meeting can be found on the national FBA website.
It is a pleasure and an honor to represent the chapters in the 5th Circuit. My appointment provides that I assist you in any matters related to federal bar activities. Please contact me if I can be of help to you.
Beth Smith
The Davis Law Firm, P.C.
6655 First Park Ten, Suite 116
San Antonio, Texas 78213
P: 210-731-9177 F: 210-731-9130
E-mail: bsmith@davislawpc.com
© 2005-2008 Federal Bar Association San Antonio Chapter