Overview
The Washington Lawyer quoted Brigida Benitez and Paul Lee in an article titled "Leading the Bar in Pursuit of Service." The article, published in the July/August issue, features comments from current, outgoing, and former DC Bar leaders about their experiences serving with the Bar.
Benitez, a past Bar president, says leading well means rolling up your sleeves, understanding the mission, and listening to those who are doing the work to help guide the organization. "When I was president, I chaired a terrific board of leaders in their own right and we tackled significant issues, including making the decision to purchase a building that would become the Bar's permanent headquarters. In leading this process, for example, it was not only about having a vision and fulfilling the Bar's mission, but also it was [about] listening, encouraging dialogue, and building consensus to get to a decision that would be in the best interests of the Bar and its members."
Lee, who was elected to serve as secretary of the DC Bar board of governors as well as a board member of the Pro Bono Center, says Bar members who volunteer to lead simply make it work. "You find that people take on more than they should; they go beyond the call of duty. But they see the value in it and find the time."
The full article can be read at the Washington Lawyer.