News & Events

PAT KELLY named 98th President of Mecklenburg County Bar

JAH Partner, PAT KELLY, was sworn in May 21, 2009 as the 98th President of the Mecklenburg County Bar. The mission of the Bar, established in 1912, is to serve not only its members, but the public as well in improving, preserving and promoting the administration of justice.

"A lawyer, as a member of the legal profession, is a representative of clients, an officer of the legal system, and a public citizen having a special responsibility for the quality of justice... as a public citizen, a lawyer should seek the improvement of the law, access to the legal system... and the quality of services rendered by the legal profession."

With the challenges facing lawyers today, Pat called on his fellow Bar members to look to the oath they took as young lawyers and urged them to get involved with the Bar and work to promote the highest standards of professionalism, competence and ethical behavior.

"A lawyer should be mindful…of the fact that the poor, and sometimes persons who are not poor, cannot afford adequate legal assistance…and should therefore devote professional time and resources, and use civic influence, to ensure equal access to justice..."

Pat will lead the Bar's approximately 4,200 members for the next year.

• Back to news