President’s Message

Stay well and

OPTIMISTIC

Michelle Bernardo-Rudy, Esquire President Chester County Bar Association

It is hard to believe that I am wrapping up the first six months of my tenure as CCBA President. It is unbelievable how fast the time is going. Looking back on the activities of the bar association, it has been a very busy three months. The Bar Foundation had a very successful Key Gala, raising a record $87,000+ for the Foundation. We kicked off the Diversity Intern Program in the beginning of June. The Board also held a strategic planning retreat. We met over an afternoon and shared ideas of where we would like to see the bar association in the next few years. I want to thank the board for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend and brainstorm with everyone. We sailed away to Baltimore for our annual bar sail. It was a great time and I, for one, enjoyed seeing everyone happy and relaxed on the dock and out at dinner. We held another Women in the Law CLE and decided that we will hold two more Women’s forums before the end of the year. I will admit that I am pushing up against a deadline with this article, but I have to say, I am glad I procrastinated on this one. Over the Fourth of July weekend, I visited Charleston, South Carolina. It’s a place we visit often as my husband has family there. It is a beautiful city, rich in history, and has an amazing food scene. On the morning of the Fourth of July, we walked down to witness the reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Old Exchange Building. It was an experience I will not soon forget. Listening to the words written 246 years ago, you realize what the signers of the Declaration of Independence were putting on the line. Had they lost, they surely would have been tried for treason. Listening to the words of the document, it is a true indictment against the crown and against tyranny. It was also a good reminder about how many parts of the Declaration of Independence laid the foundation for the Constitution. The founders of this country had incredible foresight. Or, maybe things were not so different then as they are now. They were divided then, maybe just as much as we are today. There were many loyalists who had much to lose by breaking ties with England. But the colonists were undeterred. I am grateful to those brave men and women who, so long ago, fought for the freedom of this land. Along those lines, when the Constitution was drafted and the framework for our government was created, the separation of powers was paramount to that vision. This is just as important today as it was then. As we have seen in the last couple of weeks, the Supreme Court has released some controversial opinions. The opinion overturning Roe v. Wade and the leak of the draft has brought to my mind the Constitution and the separation

of powers. While I have not read the full opinion, and will therefore refrain from commenting on it directly, I want to address the breach of confidence that occurred when information about the draft of the decision was leaked. I have mentioned before the importance of an independent judiciary. The impact the leak had on the community and resulting pressure put on the judges through threats cannot be ignored. Our system of government was set up to ensure checks and balances. While it is not always perfect, the remarkable foresight the drafters of the Constitution had cannot be diminished. While I cannot say, personally, that I am happy about the end result of the decision, I can say that we must allow the Courts to continue to operate independently. Independent from popular opinion. Independent from outside influences. Independent to make decisions based on the law and the Constitution. I believe it is part of our duty as lawyers to educate people as to how important it is that the judiciary retain that independence. Looking forward, the summer will be a bit more subdued for events. We will have the Intern Happy Hour on July 14th and the Chester County Bar Foundation Phillies Game, which is August 27th. Moving through the remaining six months, we are planning to hold CLEs on self-defense, financial fitness, and hopefully a yoga session or two! By the time you read this we will have launched our registration for the Fall Bench Bar, as well. I am very excited about this year’s Bench Bar, which is in Alexandria, Virginia – another beautiful, historic city – from September 29-October 1 at The Alexandrian. It is a beautiful hotel just a few blocks from the scenic Potomac River. There are many shops, bars, and restaurants to explore in your free time. We are planning to have a DJ, a CCBA-sponsored bus trip to Mt. Vernon, and countless other activities to do and see in and around Alexandria. Washington, D.C. is also just a short drive away. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer. As always, I want to thank Matt and the Bar Association staff for pulling off the many successful events these past couple of months! We have more to come and more to offer. I hope to see everyone around town. Stay well and optimistic. I will see you on the flip side of summer! 610-429-4020 | christinephennigan.com

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