Next year marks a century and 30 years since Alonzo Wheeler, Esq. and Abram Demarest, Esq. met at the St. George Hotel on Burd Street in Nyack and founded the Rockland County Bar Association. The building still stands and we are looking forward to meeting there next year in celebration of our 130th anniversary.
It is a privilege and honor to serve as Bar President after having practiced for decades in the County loved by so many of my fellow practitioners. We have a competent judiciary committed to equal justice under the law. Our members have a wide array of experience in a variety of practice areas. Collectively, we are here to serve the needs of my fellow attorneys and those of the citizens of Rockland County. Our Lawyer Referral Service directs Rocklanders to a competent practitioner in an area that matches one’s needs. Our website can direct you to an array of agencies and not-for-profits which provide guidance, valuable information and, if necessary, needed assistance.
I envision reaching out to “centers of influence” in the County and building bridges between the legal community and other public service organizations. I will soon be reaching out to not-for-profit organizations to learn how our Association can have greater relevance, whether by convening public interest forums in areas affecting our residents, or by simply establishing an ongoing dialogue to address areas of mutual concern that might be amenable to legal insight and direction.
I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues in providing quality continuing legal education to our members. I welcome greater diversity, equality and inclusion for the bench and bar alike. The richness of the various communities in our County can only be a source of strength and must unite rather than divide us. I especially want to reach out to younger attorneys and make sure they know that our more seasoned members are here to mentor and assist them. We want to continue to inspire high school students through our mock trial competition anticipating that some may consider a future in the law, whether it be as an attorney in private practice, government service or law enforcement. We want to continue expanding a dialogue among our members with periodic Practitioner’s Chats providing an opportunity to express our ideas, opinions and concerns. I want our members to know that in these trying times that there is always assistance available at our Association if one is struggling with mental health, alcohol or any other substance abuse issue. Recognizing the need for help is a source of strength and our Association will always be here for you every step of the way.
Our staff is here to assist the public. So if you encounter a legal issue, or have a question or inquiry that you, whether a member of our Association or not, believe is important, feel free to pick up the phone and call the Association at 845-634-2149 or send us an email at office@rocklandbar.org
I welcome the opportunity of leading the Rockland County Bar Association forward to our 130th anniversary celebration. We want to be relevant, involved and proactive with a mantra of service above self because the greatest gift in being a member of the Bar is the opportunity to give back to our community. This is a reward far greater than any fee.
I look forward to an exciting and dynamic year of service in collaboration with my brother and sister attorneys, our extraordinary judiciary, our esteemed Executive Director, the RCBA staff and the public at large.
All the best for a successful and exciting year.
Sincerely,
Robert (Rob) L. Fellows