Charlie J. Harris, Jr.
Seyferth, Blumenthal & Harris, L.L.C.
Kansas City

It was John Donne (1572-1631) who wrote that “no man is an island.” That is certainly true for anyone serving as president of The Missouri Bar.

As president of The Missouri Bar, I have traveled extensively throughout this great country, and I can assure you that The Missouri Bar’s legacy of accomplishments, and the services it provides to both its members and the public, are the envy of other bar associations throughout the nation. As my term nears its end, this is an appropriate time to thank those who displayed their faith in me and supported me throughout the past year as I tried to uphold that great tradition of achievement.

First, it is important to recognize the Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar, who three years ago elected me vice-president of the organization, thus paving my path to the presidency. Their friendship, camaraderie, and hard work on behalf of the issues the organization tackled this year made my job infinitely easier. All are true professionals who, though they often bring differing perspectives to the task, are committed to the betterment of the legal profession and the success of this organization.

Likewise, I would be remiss in not recognizing the lawyers of this state for their support and encouragement. I am mindful and proud of the fact that I am the first person of color to hold this prestigious position. It is important and significant. However, equally as important is the fact that during my presidency the lawyers of this state rightfully focused on the issues that The Missouri Bar addressed this year – particularly defense of the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan, increased diversity within the bar, and loan repayment assistance to public service lawyers – and not the color of my skin. In my estimation, this shows the character of the lawyers of this state. I am forever indebted to you and proud to call you my colleagues. Your friendship and warmth has not only made this the best year of my professional life, but one of the best years in my life period.

In a similar vein, I am indebted to the many bar organizations that reached out to me and gave me the chance to meet and address their memberships. These included, but are not limited to, the Mound City Bar Association, the Missouri Asian-American Bar Association, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the Jackson County Bar Association, the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the Ninth Judicial Circuit Bar Association. In providing me with a forum by which I could explain the various initiatives of The Missouri Bar, these organizations played a crucial role in rallying support for those endeavors. I am humbled and honored by their many courtesies.

As I referenced earlier, the past year saw an unprecedented number of attacks – in the legislature and elsewhere – waged on the Non-Partisan Court Plan. These efforts to politicize our groundbreaking system of judicial merit selection and retention were eventually turned back, but not without the efforts of many hardworking and dedicated people. I have used this space to praise them before, but I don’t think I can thank them enough for all that they did. Judges, lawyers, bar organizations, business and civic leaders, and private citizens all joined together in forming an extraordinary coalition of groups with a common goal: the preservation of a judicial system that is not beholden to partisan political interests. Of particular note was the unwavering resolve shown by Kansas City lawyer C. Patrick McLarney, who spent countless hours rallying support and walking the halls of the State Capitol in an effort to educate legislators as to the devastating impact of anti-court measures.

Missouri Bar Executive Director Keith Birkes and his outstanding staff in Jefferson City are another group of people deserving of my gratitude. Whatever the need, whatever the demand, whatever the time frame, these dedicated individuals pull together to make sure that the job gets done – and done well. They are the glue that holds The Missouri Bar together, and I know all too well – as my predecessors will readily acknowledge – that they are essential to the overall success of any president.

While I may have held the title of president of The Missouri Bar during the past year, the bottom line is that I am also a practicing lawyer. I could not have met the obligations of either role without the support and confidence of those with whom I practice. Accordingly, I want to express my appreciation to everyone at my former firm of Berkowitz, Oliver, Williams, Shaw & Eisenbrandt, LLP and my current firm of Seyferth, Blumenthal & Harris, LLC. Your support, confidence and words of encouragement have been instrumental in all successes that have come my way, and are more meaningful than you can possibly imagine. The same must be said of the clients I service. Thank you for your unprecedented loyalty, understanding and patience.

Finally – and most importantly – I want to thank my family for putting up with me during the past year. There have been many times when I have missed a family event or come home very late at night because of my responsibilities as Missouri Bar President. Their kindness, compassion, patience and understanding have made many a long day more bearable. Indeed, their sacrifices have allowed me to approach my job as president with confidence, and it is a debt that I can never re-pay – but I will certainly try!

It has been my honor and privilege to serve as president of The Missouri Bar during the past year. I ask only that you give my successor, Tom Burke, the same support that you so graciously and selflessly provided to me. As the last year has proven, when we all work together, much can be achieved. That is a lesson that I have taken to heart, and I hope you will remember it as we address new challenges and create new opportunities for the betterment of our profession, our clients, and the people of Missouri.