Dear Arlington Bar Association Members:

This is my last message to you as President of the Arlington Bar Association. It has been a pleasure to serve in this capacity for such a wonderful group of dedicated lawyers. We have been through some changes in the past year and I am so proud of how we not only survived the fluctuations, but prospered. We are better off financially than in years past and are forging new relationships with our vendors and other businesses in the community that support our profession. I am especially proud of the Arlington Young Lawyers Association for their tireless work and energy for their bar association as well as ours. I am very sad that Daniel Mathis has left Arlington to move to Houston. He shall be sorely missed as a dynamic leader of AYLA and I know I speak for all of us when I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

I would also like to thank my board who have been the backbone of this group and have had the courage to make tough leadership decisions to ensure that the Arlington bar Association can be as great as it is. Rocky Walton has worked extremely hard on both the Referral Service and bringing CLE to the Arlington Bar Association on a regular basis and I commend all of his efforts.

If the Board is the backbone of this organization, then I must say that the heart of this group for many years has been our Executive Secretary, Deanne Schmidt. It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Deanne has resigned and shall no longer be the steady heartbeat of the Arlington Bar Association. I am glad that she was there to help me in my year as President because I can assure you I could not have kept this organization together without her. Deanne has dedicated herself to the efficient and smooth management of every single activity that the Arlington Bar Association has been engaged in for many years. She is without doubt the most competent and organized executive staff member that we have ever had during the fifteen years that I have been a member of the Arlington Bar Association.  Please make sure and reserve a seat at the Installation Dinner this month to welcome our incoming board of directors as
well as to say good-bye to Deanne and thank her for her service to the Bar.

Therefore, it is with mixed feelings that I end my term as president of the Arlington Bar Association. I am excited to turn over the gavel to Lauren Duffer who is an exceptional young lawyer and possesses great leadership skills. You shall be in excellent hands. I am sad that my year is over as I so enjoyed the privilege of serving as your President.

Best Regards,

Donna J. Smiedt

President,
Arlington Bar Association