Hello everyone,When I joined the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) and the American Bar Association (ABA) early in my career, I did so because I thought it would help me professionally. And, of course, it has. I’ve learned much and made solid business connections over the years. But I have received so much more from my membership and participation in both organizations than I ever could have imagined. And it has made me a better lawyer. Recently, at the 2022 ABA Solo, Small Firm & General Practice Division Fall Meeting, with a few other colleagues, I was honored to receive the Difference Maker Award for Service to the Profession given to an attorney, living or deceased, who has made a significant lifetime contribution to the legal profession through service to the profession.Don’t worry; I will not bore you with why the association bestowed this award on me. Suffice it to say it recognized my contributions as I spearheaded committees, divisions, and task forces over the years, plus my tenure as OSBA president last year and past service as Chair of the ABA Solo, Small Firm & General Practice Division (GPSolo). All as a volunteer. But here is the secret that many volunteers will share, regardless of the organization to which they donate their time. You may not receive financial compensation for your time and hard work, but what you receive is infinitely more valuable than any payment could ever be—lifelong friendships, opportunities, the satisfaction of helping others, and so much more. So, while I am pleased to have received this award, I feel like I owe the ABA GPSolo Division and the OSBA a huge thank you for allowing me to contribute and learn.In closing, as I reflect on this award, along with my recently concluded OSBA presidency, I am humbled when I think about my life and what I’ve been able to accomplish. My grandparents, of blessed memory, were Jewish immigrants who came to the U.S. and Ohio to make life better for themselves and their descendants. Some may not know that there was a time when Jewish people could not even become lawyers! How proud they would be to know I became one of the first Jewish attorneys to hold the presidency of the OSBA!I am blessed with a wonderful family, a fulfilling career, and clients who allow me to help them care for their families. So it’s all good. I hope you enjoy the upcoming holidays.Onward and Upward!
Thank you to the ABA GPSolo Division and the OSBA for allowing me to contribute and learn.