Facilitating Personal and Professional Connections: a Strength of the Monroe County Bar Association | MCBA President’s Message

One repeating theme I have heard from members throughout my years of involvement with the MCBA is that the association’s social gatherings and networking events are key to making the MCBA a vibrant and relevant association as we look ahead to the future. I couldn’t agree more.

Rochester is one of the most collegial and collaborative legal communities around, and so it makes sense, that our local bar association follows suit, or perhaps it is the reverse: our legal community is collegial and collaborative because of the relationships fostered by MCBA. We care about each other and connect with one another through various legal and community events, bar association meetings, and educational programs. We are able to engage in civil discourse on topics that we may not always agree on. We also have developed long-lasting friendships that go beyond our work life.

When asked about being a member of the MCBA, Solo & Small Practice Committee Chair Katie Markert said: “I joined the MCBA in 2022 and became an active participant with the Solo & Small Practice Committee. I am the proud co-founder of a woman-owned law firm focusing on protection of soft intellectual property (trademark and copyright). We have a global practice with clients located all over the world. My MCBA membership allows me to engage in my local community, interact with local practitioners, and reconnect with old colleagues. I am excited to be the chair of the Solo & Small Practice Committee; please join me when our meetings resume in the fall!”

In addition to MCBA committee and section meetings starting back up in the fall, we have events being planned that will take place throughout the year, all with the intent of bringing people together. These events range from smaller, more familiar gatherings to larger networking and social events, we have something for everyone. We also will continue to collaborate with our friends at GRAWA, RBBA, the Bar Association of Erie County, and other associations around the state.

Here are the upcoming events and gatherings we have planned for August:

• This Friday, August 11, the Health & Well-Being Committee is hosting a Wellness Walk at 5:30 p.m. at Corbett’s Glen Nature Park (on the side of Glen Road before the bridge/tunnel). There will be a post-walk social after the walk at Nine Maidens Brewing Company. To RSVP, send an email to Susan Hearn at [email protected].
• On Saturday, August 19, starting at 7:30 a.m., we have our monthly Public Market Meetup at The Best Coffee at the Market. This is the perfect opportunity to meet other attorneys over casual conversation at The Best Coffee at the Market, followed by a walk around the market. All are welcome! Just show up!
• On Wednesday, August 23, 12:15 p.m., we are hosting a CLE webinar called “The Supreme Court’s 303 Creative and Students for Fair Admissions Decisions: Implications for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.” And while this program is being hosted on Zoom, we can still connect with each other virtually and discuss with each other after the program, especially when it comes to our collective concern regarding recent Supreme Court decisions and their implications. Moderated by Langston McFadden and featuring Professor Lucinda Finley from the University at Buffalo School of Law, this program will include a review of recent decisions and an exploration of what they mean for the future of Constitutional law as it relates to public accommodations law, affirmative action, and other efforts at fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Go to mcba.org to register or contact Alex Akin at [email protected].
• On Tuesday, August 29, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Genesee Brew House, we are hosting an End of Summer Celebration Happy Hour. Thanks to our generous friends at Kammholz Rossi PLLC, there will be complimentary drinks and appetizers at the event. Be sure to RSVP in advance as space is limited. Register at no charge by contacting Susan Hearn at [email protected]. Can’t make this happy hour? Stay tuned for another member happy hour coming in the fall!

We have even more coming in September so be sure to go the mcba.org website and go to “Upcoming Programs & Events” (https://mcba.org/?pg=events) on the homepage. And if you’re not receiving our Tuesday message with all the upcoming events and CLE programs, but would like to, please reach out to [email protected].

I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event, program, or meeting! If you have an idea for an educational program or social event, please feel free to reach out to me directly.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Cassandra C. Rich is the 2023-24 President of the Monroe County Bar Association and is Special Counsel at Barclay Damon LLP. She can be reached at [email protected].