Welcome to another pivotal year in the history of the Judicial Council of the National Bar Association. As we begin this year, our hearts and minds are anchored in a powerful dual mandate: 

 

“Celebrating Our Legacy While Preparing for the Future”

 

This is more than a theme. It is our collective charge, our strategic vision, and the standard by which we measure our progress.

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We must take a moment to express our deepest appreciation for the wisdom, knowledge, and sacrifice of our trailblazing members. We have been given a great foundation. We stand firmly on the shoulders of giants. Our pioneers did not simply occupy space on the bench; they transformed the very landscape of American jurisprudence.

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When our founders established this Council, they urged jurists to serve as the conscience of the judiciary, ensuring the legal system works as democratically for the “have-nots” as it does for the “haves.” They famously reimagined Lady Justice—not as a blindfolded figure, but as one lifting her blindfold to look clearly at systemic inequality.

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Crucially, we celebrate the fact that the history we honor is not just found in textbooks—it is walking among us today. We are profoundly blessed to still have so many trailblazers sitting in our meetings and guiding our committees. Your living wisdom is our blueprint. Your ongoing sacrifice is our armor. We thank you, we revere you, and we pledge to safeguard the judicial integrity you fought so bravely to establish.

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Even as we celebrate our history, the shifting tide of the legal world demands our immediate focus. True reverence for the past requires fierce investment in the future. The challenges of tomorrow—from civil rights protection and protecting the rule of law to safeguarding the independence of the judiciary, algorithmic bias, and artificial intelligence—require this Council to remain forward-thinking, fearless, and proactive.

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We cannot leave the cultivation of the next generation of jurists to chance. Following the example of the living legends among us, we must intentionally pull them forward. Mentorship is not just an option; it is our duty to the future. We must share our sacred institutional knowledge, transmit our rich traditions, and actively mentor them into leadership. We need their fresh vision, digital fluency, and relentless energy to propel this Council through tomorrow’s challenges.

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To fully realize this potential, we must also expand our circle. I personally invite and challenge each of you to reach out to our colleagues across the country and invite them to join the Council. Our voice is amplified, our impact is deepened, and our defense of justice is strengthened when every jurist is at the table. Let us actively bring new members into this fellowship so they, too, can contribute to our sacred mission.

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Let us begin this year with a renewed commitment to each other and to our communities. Let us fiercely protect the legacy behind us while boldly engineering the leadership ahead of us.

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Thank you for your tireless dedication, your excellence on the bench, and your unwavering commitment to equity and justice. It remains my greatest honor to serve as your Chair.

Let’s do this together,

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Judge David J. Hobdy, Jr.
Chair, Judicial Council

National Bar Association