President’s Column

To start, I am honored to assume the role of President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. However, it is a decidedly weird time to begin my term as President. We are wading through a years-long collective experience of public health measures and adjustments to legal practice. Federal practice that had remained largely unchanged for many years has undergone rapid shifts. For many bar associations – so dependent on in-person interaction and social events – the adjustment has been just as pronounced. I’m not aware of any association that has more capably navigated the transition to virtual events and panels than the Federal Bar Association, and our own Massachusetts Chapter. Much of this credit goes to my predecessor, Erika Reis, for her excellent leadership in developing virtual programming for our members and federal practitioners. Several virtual events in the past year were among the highest attended discussions our chapter has ever held.

There is still cause for concern and the necessity for precaution.  But our chapter is carefully working to reestablish the in-person element to transition most events to “hybrid” in-person and virtual events, with safety protocols in place. Through these hybrid programs, we aim to combine the benefits of the personal nature of our events with the capacity for virtual attendance and participation. We are working to develop a balance of programs that reflect and build upon the challenging questions facing our legal system today, along with providing the substantive information our members need to succeed and thrive in their careers.

I am excited to help continue to move our wonderful chapter forward and build on all the good work that came before. I welcome new ideas and approaches and look forward to working with all of you.

Sincerely,

Steve Hansen