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Russian judges, officials learn about benefits of bar association
The Daily Record of Rochester (Rochester, NY)
Posted on March 23, 2004
By Nora A. Jones
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| Russian Visitors - A group of Russian judges and lawyers, along with interpreters, assembled at the Monroe Country Bar Association on March 18 to learn about the benefits of the bar association. | Last week, lawyers and judges from Novgorod, Russia, were in Rochester to learn more about our judicial system and American life. The eight delegates were sponsored by the Open World Program, a bipartisan initiative that brings Russian leaders to the United States for the opportunity to learn about democracy.
Monroe County Court Judge Patricia Marks hosted some of the courthouse segments of the visit, and other members of the bench and bar participated in numerous other events.
On Thursday, March 18, the Russian visitors assembled at the Monroe County Bar Association to hear from MCBA President-elect Michael Wolford and MCBA Law Academy Dean-elect Monroe County Family Court Judge Gail Donofrio.
"In Russia, attorneys and judges don't mix," explained one of the Russian visitors. "We have continuing legal education programs for judges. But there is no forum where attorneys and judges come together to learn or socialize."
Wolford talked briefly about the history of the local bar association and the benefits of membership. The attentive visitors commented that "they were jealous " of the camaraderie they observed between bench and bar.
Wolford, who will assume the position of the 110th MCBA president in July, discussed the activities of various committees and sections and Judge Donofrio gave her perspective of the MCBA Academy of Law.
"Members of the bar have the opportunity to review judicial candidates," explained Wolford, noting that there are two county court seats and two supreme court seats up for election this November. "As a service to the public, members of the bar are polled, rating the judicial candidates as highly qualified, qualified or not qualified."
Wolford also spoke of programs where attorneys help other attorneys, participate in various social events, organize charitable efforts and come together for social gatherings.
"The bar association is a great way for judges to interact with attorneys they may not otherwise deal with on a day-to-day basis," added Judge Donofrio. "And, as chair of the CLE Program Committee, I have the opportunity to oversee the development and implementation of new training programs."
Noting that local attorneys and judges are "very generous in sharing their knowledge," Judge Donofrio mentioned that over 250 attorneys serve as presenters in a wide variety of training programs.
One logical question from the foreign visitors was "Where do the bar association's finances come from?" Membership dues are a key component of the bar's financial well-being, along with fees for continuing legal education programs.
"Who can become a member?" someone else asked, prompting a review of different levels of membership depending upon status as a student, paralegal or licensed attorney.
One of the Russian lawyers asked if he would be permitted to join the MCBA, and Executive Director Mary Corbitt promptly supplied an application form.
"We'll figure out how to convert rubles to dollars later," she joked.
For those who don't know, one of the MCBA staff members, Gail Nazarenko, who handles membership and other administrative functions, is a native of Russia. She recently passed her citizenship test and was sworn in as a U.S. citizen. On Thursday, she wrote a welcome message on the MCBA white board - in Russian - in anticipation of the visitors.
Several local attorneys sharing their time with the Russian visitors have traveled to Russia in a similar exchange program, including Hiscock & Barclay attorney Jason Waters, who speaks Russian.
Copyright 2004 Dolan Media Newswires
[Reprinted with Permission]
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