Washington Lawyer - July 2017 - 6

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

WITH BATON
IN HAND,

OFF AND
RUNNING
Connect
with Patrick:
pmcglone@dcbar.org

When Annamaria Steward began her year as D.C. Bar president 12 months ago, she forecast
"unprecedented change" during her term. That prediction proved true, and I am proud to say
that our era of change will continue throughout my tenure as well. I view this prospect of
continuing growth and change with great enthusiasm.
Bob Spagnoletti is off and running as our new CEO and is filling several high-ranking positions
on the Bar's staff (see Q&A on page 46). As a former Bar president, a senior government leader,
and a widely respected lawyer and exceptional manager, I am confident that Bob will capably
preserve what works well at the Bar while implementing improvements that will enhance
members' experiences.

"I am proud
to say that our
era of change
will continue
throughout my
tenure...."
PATRICK McGLONE

My term will see the completion of our new 100,000-square-foot building at 901 4th Street
NW. Construction remains on schedule and within budget, so we expect to move in shortly
after the New Year. I am excited by all the amenities our new space at the Mount Vernon
Triangle neighborhood will offer, and I am particularly enthusiastic about the fabulous new
facilities that will benefit our members: a sophisticated conference and classroom center, a
production studio for the creation of more online content, temporary workspaces for visiting
members, a rooftop terrace for social functions, and a number of nooks and other private
spaces for conversational gatherings.
We will be introducing many technological upgrades to improve member experience, too,
including vastly superior communications tools that will foster connections among members
with common interests. The Bar also will begin the transformation of our 20 former Sections
into Communities, with a new pricing model offering multiple Communities memberships;
two free on-demand CLE programs; and admission to many Communities events for one low
price, giving members a substantially improved value bundle. Because of the Bar's reputation
for innovation in serving its members, I expect that our new Communities structure will
become a model for bar associations around the country.
Lest you think that changes in personnel, building construction, and organizational reform
have slowed down the excellent work of the Bar's volunteers and staff, rest assured that such
efforts continue apace. The Global Legal Practice Task Force has proposed innovative changes
to the D.C. Court of Appeals' rules on admission to ease the entry of foreign-barred lawyers
into our Bar. Our CLE Program continues to expand its number of on-demand, webaccessible course offerings. The top-notch Practice Management Advisory Service and
Lawyer Assistance Program provide members with invaluable services to boost their
professional competency and manage their personal challenges. And the D.C. Bar Pro Bono
Center has already and ably served a record number of clients and others who use our
services in 2017.
These and other fundamental functions of the Bar have never been stronger, and the
upcoming improvements will elevate the Bar to a new level of service to members and the
public. In my future columns, I look forward to sharing with you my own goals and priorities
for the busy year ahead.

Photo: Patrice Gilbert Photography

WASHINGTON LAWYER

* JULY 2017 *

http://www.dcbar.org/about-the-bar/new-home/ http://www.dcbar.org/about-the-bar/new-home/ https://www.dcbar.org/communities/index.cfm http://www.dcbar.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Washington Lawyer - July 2017