President's Message – December/January 2023

Happy holidays!

Each of us at the Polk County Bar Association hopes this finds you and yours in good health and good spirits this season.

As we reflect on the year, there is much we, as the Polk County Bar Association, have to be thankful for and celebrate. Here are five examples:
 

• The Historic Polk County Courthouse. That the renovation project at the Polk County Courthouse is complete has been cause for celebration. The renovation not only highlights the building’s original grandeur, it also allows for safe and efficient justice in Polk County. The ribbon cutting ceremony in June allowed us to recognize those who contributed to the project—including the former Chief District Court Judge for Polk County Arthur Gamble, who worked for many years to see this important project to fruition, and the countless others who sacrificed for the project. It reflects the utmost respect we in Polk County hold for the law and justice.
   
• The Investitures in Polk County. The investitures of District Associate Judge Jesse Ramirez and District Judge Brent Pattison allowed us to honor their ascension from the bar to the bench. Both ceremonies were remarkable. The pride their family, friends, and the legal community shared was evident throughout the courtroom. Those who spoke on behalf of the newly invested judges spoke of the commitment to the legal community each have made and continue to make as Iowa jurists, including exceptional remarks from Chief Justice Susan Christensen. Both newly invested judges’ remarks were uniquely his own, while also being humble, thoughtful, and heartfelt. It was good to be able to be back together in person again for investitures, as Judge Pattison was appointed in May 2020.
   
• The Reception Honoring the Judiciary. In September, the Bench Bar Committee organized an evening honoring the judiciary. This is traditionally an annual event, however, it had been three years since we were able to be together for this special event. We thank Justice Edward Mansfield for graciously providing meaningful remarks in honor of the occasion. We are extremely appreciative of the work of the Bench Bar co-chairs Judge Jeffrey Farrell and Drew Gentsch.
   
• Our fall CLE. Attendance at the fall CLE was over 350 people between virtual and in-person attendance. The former being significantly greater than the latter. The interest was no doubt a function of talented jurists, practitioners, and speakers. We are specifically thankful for the jurists who gave their time to further legal education for our membership, including Justice Thomas Waterman, Justice Brent Appel (Ret.), Judge Gina Badding, Judge Samantha Gronewald, Judge Sarah Crane, Judge Celene Gogerty, Judge Christopher Kemp, Judge Helen Adams, and Judge Mark Bennett (Ret.). We are also thankful for the work of the CLE committee co-chairs former Justice Michael Streit and Sean Corpstein.
   
• Our Membership & the Volunteer Lawyers Project. Finally, we are thankful for our members, as it is through them that we are able to pursue the Polk County Bar Association missions. If you have not renewed your membership, you may do so here: https://www.pcbaonline.org/about-us/join-us/. You may also make your tax-deductible contribution to the Volunteer Lawyers Project (“VLP”) at the same time or separately here: https://www.pcbaonline.org/volunteer-lawyers-project/. The VLP provided access to legal services at no cost to hundreds of Polk County residents this year.

As we look forward to the new year, we will look forward to a new website, which will launch in early January, and a full slate of activities. Our committees are working hard to organize Law Day, CLE opportunities, and our golf fundraiser, among other things.

On behalf of all of us at the Polk County Bar Association, have a wonderful holiday season. We look forward to seeing you in 2023!