Wow! It has been a busy and wonderful year for CABA. CABA has:

• Played an active role to support legislation giving Mississippi’s judiciary more independence and additional pay
• Offered 3 CLE-approved lunch meetings … plus Curtis Wilkie … plus Rick Cleveland
• Took the CABA Newsletter electronic and increased our other electronic communication media
• Donated the hundreds of toys gathered at the Christmas Social to Toys for Tots
• Raised thousands of dollars for the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project through the Barrister’s Battle Tennis Tournament and the CABA Golf Tournament
• Held an essay contest in the capital area middle schools
• Supported first responders in 3 counties through the Wills for Heroes program
• Organized a Legal Fair to help area residents dealing with legal issues affecting women and children
• Raised thousands of dollars for the CABA / Reuben Anderson Scholarship Fund at our law schools through a CLE and concert
• Supported the winner of The Mississippi Bar’s High School Mock Trial competition when they advanced to Nationals
• Had a great time doing it!

There are so many people to thank for this great year. The CABA Board members and Pat Evans have served with enthusiasm and dedication and have given a multitude of hours to the many efforts of this organization. The Committee chairs have done superb work in advancing the missions of their committees. And last, but certainly not least, the CABA members have volunteered their time and energy to continue to improve the capital area and their profession.

We have one more big event before David Maron begins his term as President. I hope you have made plans to join us on May 15th at the Country Club of Jackson for the Evening Honoring the Judiciary. In addition to giving out awards, we will enjoy a presentation by our keynote speaker, Michael McCann, Director of the Sports Law Institute and Professor of Law at Vermont Law School and a nationally recognized expert in the fields of sports law, antitrust, and law and economics. Mr. McCann is the Legal Analyst for Sports Illustrated and NBA TV and the “Sports Law” columnist on SI.com. Mr. McCann contributes to the Sports Law Blog and The Situationist, both award-winning internet blogs. Additionally, Mr. McCann is a legal correspondent for the nationally syndicated Dan Patrick Show and has been frequently interviewed on television, including on HBO’s Bob Costas Now; CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, American Morning, Headline News, and Glenn Beck Show; Fox News’ Fox Live Desk and CNBC’s Morning Call and Power Lunch. Mr. McCann has also been interviewed on radio, including NPR, BBC, CBC, CBS Radio, ESPN Radio, the Lou Dobbs Radio Show, and the Jim Rome Show, and in print by the New York Times, Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Business Week. Come join us for a great evening!

In closing, thank you for a wonderful and rewarding experience. I am grateful for all the friends and colleagues who have supported me this year. CABA has good things to look forward to this next year during David Maron’s term and in the years to come. Thank you.