By Sid Bahl, Chair of the Value Discovery Committee
sbahl@hselaw.com

When my wife and I moved to Rochester in 2016 after we graduated from law school, I didn’t know anyone in the area. To meet other attorneys, I joined the bar association (with no intention of it being more than a tool by which to network). Fast forward eight years, and my bar service has become (and remains) an integral part of my professional life. I’ve previously served on the Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee, the Foundation’s Board of Directors, the Young Lawyers Section Executive Board, the Finance Committee, and the Academy of Law. I currently serve as the chair of both the Fee Arbitration Committee and the newly formed “Value Discovery Committee.”

What is the Value Discovery Committee, you ask? With the support of current Board of Trustees Chair, Cassie Rich, MCBA Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Ryan, and MCBA Chief Operating Officer, Liz Novak Henderson, the Value Discovery Committee was formed with the stated purpose of helping “modernize” the MCBA and the services it provides to its members. The Value Discovery Committee’s objectives are to assess our members’ needs, analyze what other bar associations are doing, and develop concrete actions items and ideas for the consideration of the Board of Trustees.

After I finished my second (and, per the MCBA’s bylaws, my final) term on the Board of Trustees, I approached Cassie about how I can still contribute to the MCBA and its future. After a few meetings with great, thoughtful discussion, we decided that a steering committee focused solely on the MCBA’s future made good sense. We obtained the Board of Trustees’ approval and reached out to diverse, experienced, and accomplished attorneys in the area to invite them to the committee. I am proud and honored to work with the following folks doing this incredibly important work:

• Hon. Maija Dixon, Rochester City Court
• Jessica Clemente, Harter Secrest and Emery LLP
• Stephanie Fedorka, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC
• Bridget Kehm, Law Offices of Pullano & Farrow PLLC
• Danielle Wild, Danielle C. Wild, Attorney at Law
• Curtis Jones, Product Integration & Mfg.

Thus far, the Value Discovery Committee has conducted preliminary analysis of similarly situated bar associations and has informally surveyed current and former bar association members (if a committee member reaches out to you, please engage!).

The MCBA has done so much for me and my professional development. I want the MCBA to flourish, grow, and develop so it’s around for the next generation of lawyers, and the generation after that, and so on. My Value Discovery Committee members and I are working hard to ensure that happens.

If you have concerns or ideas to share with the Value Discovery Committee, I invite you to reach out to me directly (sbahl@hselaw.com or 585.231.1484). Enjoy the weekend and I hope to connect with you soon!

The Foundation of the Monroe County Bar: Strengthening Our Legal Community’s Connection with our Greater Community



It is an honor to serve as the president of the Foundation of the Monroe County Bar for the upcoming year. The Foundation is not just the charitable arm of our county bar; it represents the generosity and commitment of our legal community. Today, I want to shed light on why the Foundation’s existence is paramount, as it underscores our dedication to the community we call home. When we hear the words “the Foundation of the Monroe County Bar,” our first thought is often, “… they are seeking a donation.” While that is one aspect, it is crucial to understand that there is more to the story, and I invite all of you to join me in broadening our perspective. The Foundation serves as a collective means for our legal profession to support and uplift our greater Monroe County community.

Let us take a moment to reflect on the mission statements of a few recent Foundation grant recipients, as it will guide us in expanding our initial thoughts when we hear the phrase “the Foundation of the Monroe County Bar.”

Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors

One of the Foundations grant recipients is Willow, an organization that seeks to prevent domestic violence and provide survivors with access to vital services and support on their journey to safety and empowerment. As individuals, when we support the Foundation, we as a legal community, endorse a vision of a community free from domestic violence, where healthy relationships thrive. By contributing to Willow, we are not just giving monetary aid; we are saying to our larger community that we care, and we stand beside them.

Restorative Justice for Teens

Another worthy recipient is the Center for Youth, which strives to provide teenagers who have made missteps with an opportunity for restorative justice. This process involves community service, letters of apology, and skill building workshops. Successfully completing these steps often leads to a favorable case disposition by the referring agency. As we support the Foundation, we, as a legal community, promote the cause of justice and rehabilitation for our youth.

Advocating for Workers Justice

The Foundation also aligns with the pursuit of justice for those denied their civil rights, especially agricultural and low-wage workers. Through legal representation, community empowerment, and advocacy for institutional change, we champion the cause of those who often go unheard. Our support as individuals to the Foundation echoes loudly, sending a message that we are committed to protecting civil rights in our community.

The Foundation serves as a conduit for our legal profession to communicate with our larger community. It allows us to say, “we see you and you matter.” By contributing to the Foundation, we contribute to our collective well-being and progress as a community.

Over this next year, when we encounter the phrase, “the Foundation of the Monroe County Bar,” I challenge each of us to pause and reflect on the reason for the request to support the Foundation. Let us consider how we can actively assist our legal community in expressing its support for the larger community we serve.

I am eager to collaborate with the dedicated Foundation board members, Foundation committee members, Cassandra Rich as President of the MCBA, Kevin Ryan, Executive Director of both the Foundation and the MCBA, and the MCBA staff to continue the Foundation’s success. Together, we will uphold our legal community’s commitment to making a positive impact on the greater community. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all of you for your dedication and I'm looking forward to a fantastic year! 

And, if you are interested in making a donation to your Foundation, you may do so here.

Maggie R. Robb
President, Foundation of the Monroe County Bar
mrobb@empirejustice.org

Dear Members:

Welcome to July and our new bar year! Kevin is in Europe visiting family and taking a well-deserved vacation, so I’m going solo on the messages for this week and next week. It’s a perfect opportunity for me to share my plans for these messages in the coming year.

My main goal this year is to share all the many roles that the MCBA fills. The bar association plays an important role in all aspects of our profession: integrity (supporting committees on ethics, fee arbitration, grievances/professional performance, the unauthorized practice of law, and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts), social (networking, celebrations, health & well-being), educational (CLE programs, substantive committees, roundtable discussions, health & well-being), support (confidential counseling through the Tree of Hope, public statements in defense of or explanation of difficult cases), and our obligations to the public (lawyer referral service, public statements, fee arbitration, grievances). 

There are so many MCBA programs and benefits that fall under these broad categories, and we will spend this next year sharing more about each of them in all our communications. Today, I’m taking the opportunity to highlight our role as a forum for timely education and DEI discussions. In the past, we have held programs on current topics in our nation,  like a woman’s right to choose in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. We are currently working on a program in the coming weeks that will bring together constitutional scholars and practicing attorneys to discuss some of the Supreme Court’s latest rulings on Students for Fair Admissions, Inc and 303 Creative LLC et al. Stay tuned for more details as we work on finalizing the program.

In addition, the Lawyers’ Coalition for Racial and Social Justice is presenting “Racial Disparities in Low Level Traffic Stops: What Law And Research Tell Us And What We Can Do,” on July 18. Featuring Katherine (Katie) Blum, Esq., Empire Justice Center, Jill Paperno, Esq., Empire Justice Center; and Dr. Rashid Muhammad, JustCause, this program will focus on the law relating to pretext stops, what the research reveals, the harms caused by such stops, and what communities and governments across the country are doing to address them. You may submit questions in advance to: rsjcoalition@gmail.com. The program will be hosted in person at JustCause but will also be streamed live. It’s open to the community at no charge. To register for the program, please click here.

I plan to attend the July 18th program in person and would love to see people there.  I hope you will join me at these programs. I look forward to learning more from our esteemed panelists on these topics.

I will be in touch again next week. In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend and please renew your MCBA membership if you haven’t done so already! If there are topics you would like featured in these messages, please feel free to reach out to me.

Cassandra C. Rich
2023-24 President
crich@barclaydamon.com

By Natalie Grigg, Esq., Health & Well-Being Committee Member

Aristotle once said, "It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." 

Thinking about what this means raises the issue of being resilient.  By definition, being resilient entails having the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties.  It is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress.  These sources of stress include, but are not limited to, family/relationship problems, serious health problems, workplace stressors, and financial stressors.  Being resilient means having, or developing, the ability to overcome challenges of all kinds – and be able to "bounce back" stronger, wiser, and more personally powerful.  It involves profound personal growth, helps provide balance in an overstimulating world, and involves behaviors, thoughts and actions anyone can learn and develop.

Being or becoming resilient is like building a muscle – takes time and intentionality.

So how do you become resilient?

1. Handling the daily hurdles:

• Keep things in perspective
• Accept Change
• Learn from the past

2. Start a Gratitude Practice/Journal – Science has proven that a regular gratitude practice actually develops new neurons in the brain and improves mindset.  Start small and build and try go beyond the obvious (i.e. home, family vs. internet is working, flavored coffee)
    
3. Start a Mindfulness Practice – staying present in the moment keeps us from rethinking past events or worrying about future events.  It also keeps us from spiraling in our thoughts. 
    
4. Avoid "thinking traps" such as assuming everything is black and white, expecting the worst outcome, or trying to predict the future
    
5. Create a coping mantra – a mantra is a phrase or saying that you can repeat when you feel overwhelmed, down, or frustrated.  Examples: "I am doing the best I can," "I am healthy," or "Everything is going to work out just as it is supposed to."
    
6. Build Connections:

• Prioritize relationships
• Connect with empathetic and understanding people
• Join a group – faith based; civic, like-minded people

7. Physical Activity
    
8. Proper nutrition
    
9. Technology Breaks
    
10. Setting Boundaries
     
11. Perform acts of kindness such as volunteering or mentoring
     
12. Avoid negative outlets
     
13. Learning a new skill
     
14. Sleep – consistent sleep cycle, create a wind down routine
     
15. Find your purpose – finding meaning in one's environment is an important part of resilience

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is not just about having a diagnosis, it is about your overall well-being. Whether it be a stressful workday, a family issue, or just feeling exhausted, we need to take stock in our mental wellness and make sure that we are taking proper care of ourselves. Some ways that we can work on improving our mental wellness are:

1. Address your stress. Work on letting go of negative thoughts and emotional clutter. Thoughts are not facts, and letting go will help lessen stress and allow you to focus on what is        important to you. And try to forgive; even that person who cut you off on the way to the office! Practicing deep breathing can help reduce momentary anxiety. For example, simply inhale for four seconds, hold the breath for four seconds, and exhale for four seconds.

2. Exercise. Cardio and strength training have a significant impact on positive mental health. Prioritize movement, even in small amounts. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise each day, but even walking just 10 to 15 minutes a day or beginning your morning with simple stretches can benefit both physical and emotional health. Whatever you enjoy that gets your heart pumping will help your mental well-being.

3. Eat Healthy. Limit added sugars and processed foods, while eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Drastic changes in blood sugar can make you feel more anxious, so if you struggle with anxiety try eating several small meals/snacks throughout the day rather than a couple of large meals. Also, make sure that you are getting enough water and drinking alcohol in moderation.

4. Healthy sleep habits. Proper rest can have a positive effect on overall health. It can help boost the immune system, strengthen the heart, lower your cravings for added sugar and junk foods, and even improve memory. Some healthy sleep habits include: establishing a regular sleep schedule (i.e. waking up at the same time every day and  avoiding the temptation to make up for lost sleep on the weekends by sleeping in late and taking long naps); establishing a bedtime routine that signals to your body that it is time for bed (i.e. reading a book or taking a bath); use proper lighting to help synchronize our circadian rhythm (low light and avoiding tv/phone/computer screens 1 to 2 hours before bedtime); and give your food plenty of time to digest (1-2 hours) before you go to bed. 

5. Get some sunlight. Vitamin-D deficiency is linked to depression, and getting proper sunlight can help. Getting sunlight also helps with your sleep, especially when you get sunlight first in the morning. Try to get outside when you can, whether it’s to take a walk, work in the yard, or simply read a book. While getting frequent doses of sunlight is good for your health, be sure to follow safe practices so that you do not end up burned and/or increasing your risk of skin cancer (i.e. wear sunscreen, do not stay in direct sun long enough for your skin to burn, and have regular skin cancer checks with your doctor). 

6. Care for your “whole self.” Mental health is not just about our mind, it involves our complete selves. Life affirming experiences, such as tending a garden, playing with your child, or performing a labor of love for someone you care about, have a positive effect on our overall wellbeing. A sense of connectedness is linked to higher life satisfaction, so find time to do whatever it is that nourishes your soul, whether it’s signing up for a volunteer activity, spending time connecting with nature, or simply spending time with a friend.

7. Make time to experience moments of joy. Think about doing something small that makes you feel good and include it in your day. Sing in the shower. Dance to your favorite music while you are making dinner. Take a hula hoop break, or simply watch a funny movie (make a list of some of your favorites so that you aren’t stumped when you want to put one on). Make a list of some things that make you feel joyful that you can reach for when you feel down or hurt. This physical reminder can help when you are in a mental place where it is hard to think about joy, so keep the list some place that you can easily access it when you need to (i.e. on your phone).

8. Unplug and be present. At least limit your time on social media. With everything that distracts us daily, it can be difficult to slow down and enjoy the “here and now.” Try starting with one day per week, such as observing “Mindful Mondays.” On these days, take a break from social media to spend some time being present in the moment, observing nature, or just focusing on breathing.

9.  Practice Gratitude. It is easier to focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do have. But we have a lot more than we realize whether it is tangible or intangible. Gratitude is an appreciation for the goodness that we have (or have had) in our lives. Consciously practicing gratitude can help lower stress, depression, and anxiety. This works especially well if you write it down. Take a moment to write down three things that you are grateful for each day. They can be small things, like a happy memory or feeling the sunshine on your face. This simple practice can have a positive effect on overall well-being.

10. It’s ok to not be ok. Give yourself permission to feel your emotions so that you can properly release them. Mental health is serious and not something to shy away from talking about. Do not be afraid to ask for help if you are feeling depressed, anxious, or stressed. Seek the help of a trustworthy friend, mentor, or counselor.

Reach out to crisis resources. It’s important to know where you can go for help when you need it. Below is the contact information for some resources that you can reach out to in times of need:

• The Tree of Hope (TOH) Confidential Counseling Helpline: Call 585-353-1541. This helpline is dedicated to lawyers and judges struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns. Plus, the first four sessions are FREE of charge thanks to grants from our Foundation and the U.S. District Court. More information on this, and other supportive services offered by the MCBA, can be found here: https://mcba.org/?pg=ConfidentialAssistancePrograms 
• Crisis Text Line: Text MHA to 741741, and you’ll be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line provides free, text-based support 24/7.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255 to reach a trained crisis worker. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in emotional distress.
• Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) provides crisis counseling and support for anyone in the U.S. experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster, including public health emergencies like COVID-19.

Take advantage of the MCBA’s Health & Well-being programs. There are a variety of programs offered through the MCBA’s Health &Well-Being Programming Committee that fit into many of the tips above. Whether it’s meeting for coffee at the Rochester Public Market, participating in Office Yoga with Natalie Grigg, joining in on one of our wellness walks, or enjoying the Rochester scenery while kayaking. We have something for everyone. And on Saturday, May 20 (right after our Public Market Meetup), we have put together a team for NAMI’s Mental Health Walk for Rochester. Come join us! For these activities and more, visit the MCBA’s online calendar here: https://mcba.org/?pg=events.

-Your friends on the Health & Well-Being Programming Committee

Dear Fellow MCBA Members,

On behalf of the Board of the Foundation of the Monroe County Bar, I am requesting your support of the 2022 Raise the Bar Annual Appeal. We are making a final push for donations as the fundraising deadline ends on December 31.

What is the Foundation?

As many of you already know, the Foundation is the charitable arm of the Bar. Its mission and purpose is to advance and improve the administration of justice by supporting the charitable, educational, civic and humane purposes of the MCBA and the legal community. The Foundation is dedicated to ensuring access to justice for all, educating the community about our legal system and assisting members of the MCBA in need.

Each spring, the Foundation awards grants to deserving community agencies providing services supporting the Foundation’s mission. Past grant recipients include the Worker Justice Center of New York which provides legal assistance to individuals and groups in matters affecting the rights of agricultural and other low-wage workers, the Willow Domestic Violence Center’s court advocacy program, which assists domestic violence survivors in seeking orders of protection and providing related support, and the Center for Youth’s Rochester Teen Court sentencing program for non-violent offenders who have accepted responsibility for their actions in a traditional court room setting.

The Foundation has also awarded grants to the MCBA sponsored programs including the DEAFund which is committed to promoting equal access to local attorneys for the Greater Rochester Area's 50,000 deaf and hard of hearing citizens and the Hon. Roy W. King Diversity Clerkship Program (also sponsored by the RBBA and GRAWA), which aims to increase diversity in the legal profession in the Rochester area by attracting qualified first-year law students from under-represented groups within the legal profession to work in paid positions with Rochester area law firms and other legal employers.

If you know of an organization deserving of a Foundation grant, please let us know, and we will reach out with grant application information.

2022 Fundraising Efforts

The Foundation’s ability to support these deserving organizations and programs is directly affected by its ability to raise funds. That’s where you come in. The Foundation’s deadline to raise funds for next year’s grant recipients ends on December 31. As you contemplate your end-of-year donations, please consider making a contribution to the Foundation through our Raise the Bar campaign.

By donating, you are helping ensure the continuation of the Foundation’s mission and the work of its deserving grant recipients, for the benefit of our community. We welcome the consideration of new donors to the Foundation. If you’ve donated in the past, please let us count on you again to match or increase your prior commitments.

How to Donate

You can make your immediate impact by donating instantly by clicking on our December fundraising website. For more information about the Foundation itself, please visit our website. If you prefer to write a check, please make it payable to the Foundation of the Monroe County Bar and send it to the MCBA’s offices at 255 East Ave., Suite 305, Rochester, New York 14604.

Thank you for your consideration and happy holidays!

Rob Yawman

Foundation Development Committee

Pro Bono Attorneys Are Needed Now More than Ever Post-Pandemic
by Tina Monshipour Foster, Esq. (she/her), JustCause Executive Director, tfoster@justcauseny.org

In the 7th Judicial District, we have over 350,000 people living in poverty.  Without access to resources to hire an attorney, these community members face serious legal problems affecting their health, safety, and economic stability.  Monroe County Bar Association members have a long history of stepping up to help our community members in need.  The pandemic was no exception, but the needs of the local community continue to increase.  Now, more than ever, we need your help!

Just as we were beginning to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, the fall of Afghanistan brought us a humanitarian crisis.  Nearly 2,000 Afghans resettled primarily in upstate New York.  Only a few months later, Ukraine plummeted into turmoil. With immigration filing deadlines pending, local agencies including JustCause, The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, and Catholic Charities worked together to develop a streamlined process to maximize local resources.  Pro bono attorneys played a pivotal role.  

Eagerly and with the assistance of JustCause’s immigration team and translators, attorneys including Scott Forsyth, Linda Kostin, Mary Magee, David Mayer, Connor O’Brien, and Jill Paperno, participated in clinics helping clients begin the path to a legal status that would provide safety and benefits.  Harter Secrest attorneys in their Rochester and Buffalo offices accepted multiple families to assist, with their own internal immigration mentor Glenn Schieck.

During the pandemic, staff attorneys Mosunmola Ojo and Kristin Johnson represented over 700 clients facing eviction at the Special Covid Intervention Part (SCIP).  Pro Bono attorneys Shani Curry, Adrien Neil, and other members of the Rochester Black Bar Association stepped up, appearing in person at the SCIP – even during the height of pandemic. 

The SCIP court program has now ended, leaving tenants in town and village courts to fend for themselves. Fortunately, volunteers from the Appellate Division 4th Department will resume their award-winning pro bono program this month, providing tenant representation in Irondequoit Town Court this month.  Alan Ross and Mary Ann Krisa will lead the pro bono team.

We appreciate the Hon. Gerald Whalen, Presiding Justice, along with Irondequoit Town Court Justices Hon. Patrick Russi, Hon. Joseph Valentino, and Hon. Jennifer Whitman DeVoe for their role in ensuring tenants in Monroe County have access to legal services.  While the program will serve Irondequoit tenants, there are more than 20 other town and village courts in Monroe County where no volunteers are available.  We need your help to expand our services so that everyone in our community has a fair chance when facing potential homelessness.

It’s not only litigators, but transactional attorneys, who contribute vital pro bono assistance in our community.  In celebration of Pro Bono Week, JustCause coordinated internal presentations with Sharmaine Heng and Emery Lewis of Nixon Peabody, and Christina Shifton of Troutman Pepper to place clients interested in establishing an LLC or 501(c)(3).  Another business law clinic was held with the Ibero-American Action League (IBERO) and pro bono attorneys Brandon Ball, Aleksandar Nikolic, and Amy Varel. In one evening, volunteers assisted 13 micro-entrepreneurs from underserved communities with legal issues affecting their businesses.  On hand for translations were JustCause’s Edwin Ortiz and volunteer Adrian Chiavelli Hernandez.

Not to be outdone, the Attorney Emeritus Program attorneys immediately re-emerged as the pandemic eased.  These 55+ year old attorneys commit to providing 60 pro bono hours of civil legal assistance during their biennial registration period.  From a shift at the Hall of Justice Help Center to name changes, these attorneys together spent nearly 500 hours assisting over 130 clients last year.  Do you qualify to join the panel?  Let us know!

According to the most recent Legal Service Corporation survey, less than 92% of low income individuals have access to legal help when facing serious civil legal problems.  Pro bono attorneys are vital to helping close this “justice gap”.  If you have been thinking about volunteering, but haven’t reached out yet, now is the perfect time.  Look forward to hearing from many of you soon!
 

Dear Members:

It is with great pleasure and honor that I write this as the newly installed President of the Foundation of the Monroe County Bar – the charitable arm of our county bar. It is humbling to follow in the footsteps of those who held this position before me. 

What does it mean that the Foundation is the charitable arm of the MCBA? In short, it’s a way for us, as attorneys, to give back to the community. One aspect of the various bar associations in Rochester – MCBA, GRAWA, RBBA – that I have always appreciated is that it brings our legal community together. Rochester is a small legal community in and of itself, but even within that, I may not cross paths with attorneys who work in different areas of the law than I do. So, the bar associations bring us together and create an environment that fosters camaraderie.

The Foundation then provides an avenue for us to focus that camaraderie to provide to the community. Most, if not all, of you have received some communication in the past from the Foundation asking for donations. Since the Foundation’s inception, those donations have gone toward funding programs or organizations that aid some aspect of legal services in the community. Over the years, those services have included Willow, the Center for Youth, the DEAFund, Hon. Roy King Diversity Clerkship program, Rochester Teen Court, the Empire Justice Center, The Legal Aid Society of Rochester. This past year, the Foundation received 13 grant applications, requesting more than $100,000 in total. The Foundation, though, only had about $45,000 that it could put toward grants. We were able to give grants to 11 of those who made requests, and we are proud to see that money go toward legal services to the less fortunate and programs that encourage diversity in our legal community and broader community as a whole. But we can always do more.

That’s where you come in.  In case you haven’t heard, our annual Raise the Bar campaign has kicked off for the 2022-2023 year. Donating is easy. You can go online at www.mcba.org/foundation or send in a check.

As always, the Foundation will offer more opportunities through the year for you to come together, donate, and contribute. We’ve implemented some “new” programs over the last couple of years – like a restaurant raffle – as a fun way to give.  Also, of course, Jazz for Justice is returning! Plans are already in place. We will have the same format, but one exciting piece of news is that we are changing the venue. Keep an eye out for your invitation to Jazz for Justice at The Commissary in the Sibley Building at the end of October. It will be a fun night to gather with colleagues, relax, hear great music, eat great food, and again – give back to the community!

I greatly look forward to working with Langston and the MCBA and all of you. It’s going to be a great year.

Pamela Reynolds
2022-23 Foundation President
preynolds@littler.com

For about a year now, the MCBA’s Wellness Programming Committee has been offering regular activities such as yoga and walking. Maybe the benefits are not intuitive to you. We’re lawyers, we’re tough and no nonsense, and tough. We don’t cry. We make other people cry.  

Until our own well runs dry. We’re not immune from the effects of stress and strains and age either.  

1)   Yoga, breath work, and meditation have a 5,000 year history in Ayruvedic medicine, and are now backed by modern, Western science for benefits that include stress reduction. Yoga is so good, there have even been a number of successful prison programs incorporating yoga.  But let’s not go there.

More and more lawyers are turning to yoga for its health benefits, stress reduction and for enhanced focus and effectiveness in their law practice. And it is not about flexibility.  You do what you can, and maybe more than you thought you could.  Building strength is included.

A quick internet (“google”) search should bear that out.  And if you can’t find the information, contact me.

2)  Walking?  “Come on,” you may be thinking.  However, the science is that walking is one of the best all-around activities we can do for our health. You don’t even have to pay for a gym membership or worry about being near others during a time of Covid-19.

Walking and exercise help keep you mentally sharp and emotionally balanced.  They stave off depression, mental dullness, weight gain, and dementia.   Walking helps your circulation, stamina and endurance.  This may translate to staying up later and longer, getting that contract done, better trial preparation, and being sharper during trial.  Yes, simple walking.

"’Exercising also helps your mood,’ says Dr. Takahashi. ‘People who exercise briefly each day — maybe get some sunlight — certainly have better moods.’ During the day, you'll be more awake, more alert and quicker on the mental draw. And chances are if you're exercising regularly, you'll sleep better, too.”

Even if you don’t walk with the MCBA, do walk on your own or with a friend or family member, even when that family member is your dog.  For at least 30 or more minutes, and at least at  a moderate pace, not a slow shuffle.  If your work takes you into the federal building, you may have seen the signs in the elevators telling you to take the stairs - for your health.

“Exercising with a friend makes time fly, and you're more likely to stick to your routine if you make a date to do it with someone else.”

Come on a MCBA walk this season. Get exercise, and meet people. And try a few sessions of the yoga (Mondays are conveniently on-line while you are at your desk). These help us to be and stay a better lawyer.

Wishing you vibrant health.

~ Jere Fletcher
member, MCBA Health & Wellness Programming Committee

Bar Association Issues Statement on Buffalo Shooting
Condemns senseless violence and racial animus at the center of suspect’s actions
 

For media inquiries, please contact:
Liz Novak Henderson
enovak@mcba.org
585-645-2249 (cell)

Rochester, NY—The Monroe County Bar Association has issued the following statement about the shooting in Buffalo that took the lives of ten New Yorkers:

Once again, a community is forced to mourn the loss of life as a result of senseless violence. This time that community is our community as this senseless violence occurred in our sister city of Buffalo, New York. While there is still much that is unknown about the motivations and intended results of the suspect, who is now in custody, it does appear that racial animus and hatred were at the center of his actions.

The Monroe County Bar Association condemns not only this senseless act of violence but also the ignorance and intolerance from which those actions were born. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this cowardly act and we stand in support of the city of Buffalo and its residents as they now try to deal with, and heal from, this tragic incident.

For the latest MCBA news and updates, visit here: https://mcba.org/?pg=MCBAandLegalCommunityNews

About the Monroe County Bar Association
The Monroe County Bar Association, originally formed as the Rochester Bar Association, was organized in 1892. What started with just 25 members has grown to 1500 plus law professionals, committed to improving the quality and accessibility of justice; promoting respect and understanding of the law; enhancing professional growth, fulfillment, excellence, collegiality and diversity among its members; and serving as a voice for the law profession. For more information about the MCBA, please visit www.mcba.org.