Ron Harrison Continued from Page 32 These are all voluminous undertakings mat Ron has witnessed the birth of and intends to push on. "Ie is difficult to have leadership that revolves yearly. It's one of the greatest enemies of completing initiatives that span several years," Ron says. "1 see the value in these initiatives. 1 respect the leaders who put them in place. And I will see to it they [the projects] continue to move forward." Ron's initial plan was to focus solely on growing these projects. The lawyer assistance program is one of those projects in which Ron has been very closely involved. However, mere was one issue he couldn't turn his back on. He felt compel1ed to take a good hard look at me ugly monster we call "lack of diversity". Ron says, "Why do we not have a greater diversity in our membership? That is a question I intend to answer and a problem I will work to resolve." When me lightning bolt of the diversity issue struck Ron, he began his research. He has worked for the past year investigating what we can do to rum our grim statistics around. I will leave the details of Ron's plan for him to reveal, bur I can tell you this: he plans to combat the issue by assembling a commission to first pin point the exact nature of me problem and men look at how to take action and resolve it. As I noted earlier, many of the initiatives already in process will take years to complete - some are even ongoing and will never realize a defmite end. Ron believes the issue of diversity can be different. "Our organization is the right size to get together and make a change in one year," he says. "This isn't about tokenism. This is about making people feel welcome. If we remain focused on that truth, we will be successful." A tall order? Perhaps. Bur like I said, it is going to take dedication from all of us to make a difference in this association according to Ron's agenda. Lets back up a little bit and take a brief look at one of Ron's ongoing projectS - the lawyer assistance program. At the time this article was written, the proposed lawyer assistance program, a joint project of the Pulaski County Bar Association and the Arkansas Bar Association, was still under consideration by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Hopefully, even as yOli read this, the program has been approved and is beginning to rake a tangible form.
The idea of assisting lawyers, judges and
law students with drug, alcohol, emotional and psychological problems is something Ron takes very seriously. From what I discovered in chatting with Ron, he intends to demonstrate his intense devotion to this issue throughout his presidency. "1 see toO much alcohol-related conditioning in the lawyer culture," he says. "I also see how much damage can be done to a life and how much good can come from turning that life around." Ron's plan is ro lead by example and focus attention on the problem by the conspicuous absence of alcohol at bar functions he and Rebecca host. Earlier in the day, prior to our discussion regarding the lawyer assistance program, I made a commem to him while we were touring the Fort Smith Historical Site (see breakout box on page 33) mat in retrospect was kind of a humorous, foot-inmouth statement. Ron said it would be great to have the first Board of Governors meeting in the newly renovated Fort Smith National Historical Site facility - to which I replied,
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"You know, they [me National Park Service] may nOt allow alcohol on the premises, and I don't know how that wilJ go over." His response: "We'll just have to see how that goes over, won't we." Even though r feel about twO inches tall having made my comment in the first place, Ron's point was duly noted. Ron makes it very dear that the intensity he demonstrates for the lawyer assistance program is not a manifestation of personal experience. "This is not a personal crusade. I am not some SOrt of a prude or ami-alcohol. I simply believe a greater impact for the new program can be made by taking this approach." Well, Ron certainly has a full plate as have many presidents before him. Hopefully, we can all support Ron and work with him to make positive changes and enhance the quality of membership across the board. All in all, it is going to be an interesting year in a hard-working fun-sortof-way. I look forward to the ride, Ron!.;.
• 21 ;prospectifN! clien comes. to!:)lO
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WIth _?fairly sticky international family law situation. Her husband, a French national, has returned to France with their children. He isfilingfor divorce, asking for custody and support, and refusing to relinquish marital assets now being held in a London bank.
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at can you:-ao? It's a grea client willi a tough case. Find out how to handle it at the Fall Legal Institute - International Law 2000 coming to Northwest Arkansas on November 3rd.
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So.l/Sommer 2000
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