The Best Decision of My Professional Life
By Steve Modica

Like many baby boomers in 1986, I joined the Monroe County Bar Association because that is what local lawyers did.  Although I did not join the MCBA for the most compelling of reasons, my decision to remain a member—and engage with our colleagues and the community—has been the very best decision of my professional life.

By virtue of my membership in the MCBA, I can say with utmost confidence that:

• I am a better lawyer.  This is because of the MCBA’s excellent and practical CLE programs.
   
• My mental health has improved thanks to the MCBA’s Confidential Assistance programs.
   
• My physical health has improved thanks to the MCBA’s Wellness programs.
   
• I have more clients and my firm is more profitable.  I attribute this to the MCBA’s member benefits such as the Lawyer Referral Service and discounted law firm management consulting services.
   
• I am a stronger leader.  Serving on the MCBA Board and as your president challenged me to lead our colleagues to reach consensus on difficult issues.
   
• I have wonderful colleagues and friends for life.  Some of my closest colleagues and friends have come from my engagement with the MCBA.
   
• I am humbler.  The MCBA recommended my appointment to the 7th Judicial District Attorney Grievance Committee; working with lawyers in trouble is humbling.
   
• I am better able to help people I care about.  I refer them to competent MCBA members who do work outside my practice areas with confidence they will be served well.
   
• I have more confidence in our judiciary. Working closely through the MCBA with our federal, state, county, city, and administrative law judges has given me the utmost confidence in our judiciary and judicial system.
   
• I am a better mediator and arbitrator.  I have developed skills as a neutral by appearing before distinguished mediators, arbitrators, and judges in our community, most of whom are MCBA members who share their expertise willingly and have mentored me.
   
• I have mentored others better and more often.  I was blessed to learn from MCBA members who mentored me; now I am paying it forward.
   
• I have done more pro bono work.  MCBA, the courts, and our civil legal service providers have made it easier for me to do more pro bono work.  For example, they have offered free training on how to handle civil rights cases in federal court and provide legal malpractice insurance coverage for such cases.   
   
• I am more aware of social issues, particularly those that impact our legal system.  MCBA has been a leader in advocating for equal justice for all; I am proud to be part of an organization that “walks the walk” and “talks the talk.”
   
• I revere our brothers and sisters who came before us and served so honorably.  The annual MCBA Memorial Service moves me to tears every year; our legal community has been blessed with many giants who have made lawyering in Rochester truly special, including my legal hero the Honorable Michael A. Telesca.
   
• Finally, I am a proud father of a MCBA member and leader.  Anne Modica Eich, my only child, is a MCBA member and Chair of the MCBA Solo & Small Firm Committee.  I am very fortunate to practice law with her.

As you can see, the MCBA has enriched my professional and personal lives in numerous ways.  If you are not a member, please join.  If you are a member, please stay and get more involved.  We need each other.