An Irishman Walked into a Bar
And Became Its President…
By: Marilynn Bowler
    
                          
It always lends an incredible opportunity for a "lawyer joke" when the speaker at our Rotary Club is an attorney but when the person introducing the speaker is also a lawyer, the amused tension in the room is palatable. Being preceded at the MIC by Mark Turner in full Boy Scout uniform didn't quell our appetite for chuckles at the expense of two lawyers, at all. But they fooled us!
 
Tony Lathrop began his introduction of his long-time friend - our speaker, Patrick Kelly - with a recap of how Army Captain Pat Kelly stared down a North Korean DMZ soldier armed with a threatening rifle pointed in his direction. Tony went on to relate how Pat, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, is a four-time decorated hero, a UNC Law School graduate, a trial attorney, a partner at Johnston Allison & Hord in Charlotte, and, finally, the current President of the Mecklenburg County Bar. Not much to chuckle about there but certainly much to respect and admire. He had our attention!
 
Representing the 26th Judicial District, Pat presented a concise outline of the history of the Mecklenburg County Bar, taking us back to its official founding in 1912 but citing intriguing references to written archives dating back as far as 1869 when the infamous Zebulon Vance - himself a military leader during the Civil War, a Senator and a two-time Governor of North Carolina - represented accused murderer, Tom Dula, thus setting the tone for the song, "Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley."
 
He defined the MCB as "an association of lawyers who live and practice in Mecklenburg County" and said that this is a "mandatory bar" meaning that all attorneys who practice law here must belong to the Bar Association. Its mission, Pat told us, is "to serve the public and the Bar members in improving and preserving the administration of justice and to assist the NC State Bar as described by statutory requirements." He enumerated the goals of the MCB which include, among others, promoting the highest standards of professionalism, competence, and ethical behavior, and administration of justice. They also include the promotion of public education in the community on legal issues, the Bar and the legal system.
 
He told us of the emphasis on Pro Bono work for charities such as the Council For Children's Rights, International House, and similar pertinent groups. Pat also spoke of the Bar Association's Foundation and the dispersal of grants.
 
With a photo of the beautiful mansion at 438 Queens Road that currently houses the offices of the MCB, Pat snuck in a real estate plea. "We're in need of - and looking for - a larger facility for our offices," he said. "We need 15,000 sq. ft. and 150 parking spaces. (The ears of our Realtor members perked right up at this point!)
 
During Q&A Pat tackled the sensitive issues of the method of choosing a District Attorney, the election of judges, the oversight on the conduct of attorneys and judges, the dynamics in our county relative to changes in attorneys' specialties, and the burgeoning need for immigration attorneys, lawyers who handle white collar crimes, and employment law attorneys.
 
When asked if-and-how his military training had given him an advantage in his career as an attorney, Pat said that he had learned from his years in the Army that "hard work and discipline pay off."
 
What paid off for Pat today is our Rotary Club's respect, admiration and affirmation that he is an excellent leader who well represents the Mecklenburg County Bar and all 4,335 of its members.
   
 
Head Table: Mike Hawley, Jessica Dupree, John Snyder, Tony Lathrop, Nancy Roberson, Chase Saunders;
Invocation: Alan Simonini;
Visitors & Guests: Kemp Dunaway; Song: Paul Wyche; Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

• Haitian relief checks payable to The Rotary Foundation DAF and mailed to the Rotary office.
   
• Medical updates: Floyd Davis is feeling good since the hip surgery; Richard Bailey says he is feeling better and stronger each day and returns to the Doctor on Monday; John Johnson is taking daily radiation treatments in an effort to shrink the tumor so he can breathe better. He is also taking chemo once a week. In John's words…."the wounded warrior has not given up yet!"
  
• Gail Norman has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer for the Mid-Atlantic Region Arthritis Foundation; Floyd Davis was selected for Business Leader Media's Top 50 Entrepreneurs of 2010.
 
• Be on the lookout for Matt Joyner and his three children in the CPCC production of "Bye Bye Birdie," opening this Friday night at CPCC's Halton Theater. Matt will pop up in several roles as bartender, proprietor of the roadside retreat, chorus, traveler, Shriner and father. Matt said Betsy has assumed the role of manager for the vonJoyner Family.
 
• Thanks to Mark Turner for his overview of the Boy Scouts of America as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary this week.
     
• ROTARY DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2010 will be held in Wilmington April 23-25. All Rotarians and their families are invited to attend. Reservations can be booked at the Hilton Riverside, 910-763-5900. Prior to March 22, the rate will be $169 per night. Conference registration rates for Rotarians: $175 (by 2/23), $195 (by 3/22) or $225 (by 4/16). Guest registration: $155 (by 2/23), $175 (by 3/22), $195 (by 4/16). The registration covers 4 meals: Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast & dinner, and Sunday breakfast. Registration can be handled on the District database (www.dacdb.com) 

John Tabor recognized several club members for their support of The Rotary Foundation. John also challenged the membership to do their part to help Charlotte Rotary achieve 100% participation in TRF. Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) is so easy. The premise of EREY is for every Rotarian to contribute $100 every year to TRF. A pledge of $25 per quarter is all that's needed to help push the club toward the 100% mark. Your donation can also be set up to bill $100 annually. If you are not yet supporting YOUR Foundation, please consider doing so. Contact the Rotary office to get started.