Brian L. Buniva 2021-05-22 07:01:42
Accountability – Bar Year 2020-2021
AS MY TERM AS PRESIDENT comes to an end on June 18, 2021, it seems appropriate to discuss the concept of “Servant Leadership and Accountability.” This year we have all faced significant challenges caused by the turbulence of the global pandemic and its negative impacts on our families, our clients, our practices, our economy, and society in general. Even in difficult times, however, we as lawyers and community leaders remain accountable to the people we serve.
The concepts of servant leadership and accountability with respect to the Bar mean we must place service to the principles of the Bar and its members above all else. We must hold ourselves accountable and be willing to be held accountable by others for what we do and what we do not do. We must accept responsibility for our actions and inactions and be willing to stand tall for our convictions. In the words of the iconic civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., “Not everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service.” On June 30, 2020, in the magnificent courtroom of the Supreme Court of Virginia, Justice William C. Mims was kind enough to administer the oath of office to me as the 82nd president of the Virginia State Bar. Present were 14 people, including my wonderful wife, Barbara Cochrane, my son and daughter-in-law, two of my closest friends, my successor, several past presidents, and senior staff of the Bar.
In my brief remarks, I shared my belief that the pandemic was not the time for lawyers to be shy, but rather it was the time for lawyers to stand tall and redouble their efforts to provide legal services to the expanding populace in need of pro bono and “low bono” legal assistance. During my term I have attempted to sound the alarm about the need to help our fellow citizens by, among other things, volunteering with the legal aid societies throughout our Commonwealth. During this year of challenge, it was extremely difficult to harness the power and energy of the 50,000 plus members of the Bar to have more impact on the overwhelming need to provide access to justice for all. I do, however, take comfort in the goodness of heart of my colleagues and recognize that this is not a one-year effort. I simply pray that my successors will keep up the fight and continue to advance the righteous cause of providing access to justice for all.
We were able to conduct Executive Committee and Council Meetings throughout the year as scheduled, albeit some of them virtual. Kudos to Bar staff for making this possible. Indeed, a special meeting was held in April to consider amendments to the Rules of Court recognizing “elimination of bias” as an appropriate topic for MCLE ethics and professionalism credit. Kudos to the Diversity Conference, notably Chidi James and Sheila Costin. Council also recommended the adoption of amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct. Notable among the changes is a prohibition against a lawyer having sexual relations with a client. Kudos to the Standing Committee on Legal Ethics, notably Dennis Quinn.
One initiative that I hope will have a lasting impact, especially on VSB members who are solo or small-firm practitioners, is the Task Force on Practice Management chaired by David Neumeyer. An interim report was presented at the April meetings of the Executive Committee and Council with the final report and recommendations to be presented for consideration at the June 18 Council meeting in Virginia Beach. The task force has consulted with other mandatory and voluntary bars throughout the country to learn how a permanent VSB staff person, if authorized, could assist typically small practitioners with their law practice management issues.
As I reflect on servant leadership and accountability, I want to recognize Providence Napoleon, a young lawyer of 34, former chair of the Diversity Conference, and valued member of our Executive Committee, who passed away this April. She will be missed for her service, but most importantly for her wit, her smile, and her commitment to service and justice. We would do well to emulate her in our daily lives.
In closing, I want to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to be of service. I have done my best, and if I have any legacy let it be the furtherance of the concept of “servant leadership” and “accountability” of VSB leaders and staff.
Thank you and God bless all of you, our clients, and preservation of the Rule of Law.
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