LBA's Annual Meeting Launches New Era

Outgoing President, Paul Klehm, addresses the LBA members at the organization's annual meeting.

The Lawrence Bar Association celebrated its 110th anniversary at Tuesday's Annual Meeting by installing new officers, electing new members of the Executive Committee, approving a new member, and making the first major change to its charter.

Going forward, the organization will officially be reorganized as the Greater Lawrence Bar Association, as recognition of the fact that many of its lawyers now serve in the surrounding communities of Andover, North Andover, and Methuen. The organization also updated its bylaws to allow local law students to join the Association as non-voting members. 

Outgoing President Paul Klehm receives the presidential plaque from the LBA's new president, Mark Machera.

Outgoing President Paul Klehm reflected on the many accomplishments of the Association over the past year and some of the members of the Association who gave considerable time and effort to the group and the community. Those included successful events, law student scholarships, and a new website.

Newly-installed President, Mark Machera, noted that while just about everyone in Lawrence is a character, "those characters are so generous with their time, and very willing to help out a younger lawyer. [The LBA] provides opportunities to raise standards of practice and come together in an informal way ... and it benefits all of us." One of the goals of the Association this year will be community service. 

In addition to President Mark Machera, the LBA welcomed new officers for the year: President-Elect, Matt Ginsburg; Vice President Cynthia Grover Hastings; Treasurer Samer Obeid; and Secretary Hayne Barnwell.

The Executive Committee for 2015 includes immediate past-Presidents, Paul Klehm, James Krasnoo, and Deborah A. Anthony, as well as at-large members Socrates de la Cruz, Carol Cahill, John Fraser, Kavita Goyal, David Haynes, Janine Lepore, Michael Raabe, Jesse Redlener, Joanna Rodriguez, Joel Rosen, Daniel Ryan, Ellen Shimer-Brenes, and Salim Tabit. 

See more photos of the event in the photo gallery on the left.