The ECBA's annual meeting, held at the Andover Country Club, was well-attended, including the largest contingent of judges in recent memory. Every court was represented, as more than 40 judges joined ECBA members and friends for dinner and music, care of the Toni Lynn Washington Band. Those who lingered after dinner were treated to some of the finest jazz and blues to   be heard anywhere.  Massachusetts Speaker of the House, Sal DiMasi, was the evening's featured speaker, and he emphasized the need for more  involvement and communication with the Legislature, which annually faces tough budgetary and policy choices.  Our thanks to the Speaker for joining us and to Board member, Tom Drechsler, for assisting in the arrangements.

For the first time in many years, the golf outing was held as a separate event, rather than as part of the annual dinner meeting.  In July more than 50 golfers teed off at Ferncroft Country Club.  By all accounts the golf outing was a great success, with the net proceeds being available for charitable donations through the Essex County Bar Foundation.  Thanks to all our sponsors and to the golfers who      participated.  Thanks, too, to Board member, Jack Altshuler, for his efforts in organizing the golf outing.

Under the leadership of Superior Court Chief Justice Barbara Rouse and Associate Justice Richard Welch, the Newburyport Superior Court will celebrate its 200th anniversary this September 16 at noon.  The Newburyport Superior Courthouse is the oldest operating Superior Court in the United States.  While there are a few older courthouse buildings in the United States, our courthouse has the            distinction of being a true working courthouse, handling cases year-round.  As your President, I have attended a number of planning meetings for the celebration, and the ECBA is providing a new rug for the court room.  In conjunction with the anniversary celebration, Judge Welch has prepared a history of the courthouse, which will be available not only at the celebration but also thereafter as a reminder of the rich tradition of this marvelous courthouse. 

Your officers and directors also have been working on the initial planning for the 200th anniversary of the ECBA, the oldest county bar association in the United States.  Later this year you will be receiving notice of the date for this anniversary celebration, to take place in 2006, and I hope you all will plan to join the officers, directors and your   fellow ECBA members at this milestone event.

As I am sure you are aware, pay increases finally were approved for Bar Advocates.  As your President, I testified earlier this year before the Special Commission dealing with this matter, conveying the ECBA's strong support for the long overdue pay increases for court appointed criminal defense attorneys.  Larry McGuire of the ECBA and CPCS joined me in testifying.  I am pleased that the ECBA was able to contribute to the effort to increase the pay for Bar Advocates, thereby           supporting ultimately the Constitutional right of all persons, regardless of ability to pay, to have defense counsel in criminal proceedings.

The ECBA has been reviewing the various programs with which the ECBA has been involved in the    Superior, District, and Probate and Family Courts.  By all accounts, the conciliation programs in the Essex Superior Court and Lynn District Court continue to be successful in the pre-trial review of civil cases, frequently resulting in conciliated settlements or reference to some form of alternative dispute resolution, most notably, mediation and arbitration.  It appears that the civil dockets are moving rather smoothly, in part because of the assistance provided by the lawyers of the ECBA who volunteer many hours to assist in these conciliation programs.  Similarly, the lawyer of the day program in the Probate and Family Court continues to be successful, again largely due to the volunteer efforts of ECBA lawyers.  My thanks to all the lawyers who have committed their time and effort to these fine programs.

Your officers and directors will continue to review these programs, including an evaluation of the resources required to operate the programs.  In this regard, the ECBA has been working with the various judges involved in these programs, in order to ensure that our efforts are consistent with the needs and objectives of the courts. 

Starting this fall, the ECBA will be sponsoring some continuing legal education programs we hope will be of use and interest to the members.  Watch for specific announcements.

Often overlooked in the rush of events is the fine work done by our ECBA staff, who keep the wheels of the "ECBA bus" rolling.   My continuing thanks to Pam Surette, Executive Director; Kathleen Feener,    Conciliation Coordinator; and Junia Kennedy, LRS Coordinator; for their efforts in carrying out the work of the ECBA for our members and the public we serve.

The ECBA maintains good relations, some more formal than others, with other bar associations.  For example, the President of the ECBA is, under the workings of the Massachusetts Bar  Association, a delegate in the MBA's House of Delegates.  As your President, I have attended a number of House of Delegates meetings, in order to represent the interests of the ECBA.  Most recently, I had the pleasure of attending a meeting of the North Shore Women Lawyers, at which meeting our own Vice-President, Anne Gugino Carrigan, was honored as Lawyer of the Year.  Lynn District Court Judge, Joseph Dever, delivered an eloquent tribute to Anne, a most deserving honoree, especially given her long-term tireless efforts in behalf of our profession.  Congratulations to Anne.

While the ECBA Board of Directors has been on a summer  hiatus, the officers have continued to meet to carry on the work of the ECBA.  Directors meetings will resume in September.  If you have an item for consideration by the Board, please let me know.  You may call me at my office (direct line:  978-762-5802) or contact Pam Surette at the ECBA office ( 978-741-7888). Thanks for your support of the ECBA.
                                                                                 Bob Holloway