Message from the President, May 2024

Hello GBA Members!

As some of you know, I am the father of two small children and, as such, spend a lot of time reading children’s books. Most recently, my two-year-old son has repeatedly asked me to read The Little Engine That Could. You may recall that it is a story about perseverance and optimism as a small engine overcomes doubts to successfully deliver toys to children on the other side of a mountain. Like that little engine, I entered my term as GBA President with some doubt that I could deliver on all the lofty goals I wanted to achieve in one year – goals I felt would allow me to make a meaningful impact on a well-established association and hopefully leave it better than I found it. I told myself, “I think I can,” and I proceeded to take steps to make it happen. 

In my first “Message from the President” in September 2023, I stated my intentions as follows: 

[A] new Business/Corporate Law Section of the GBA is being created to better engage and service at least a quarter of our members who are either in-house counsel or practicing business/corporate law. There will be an increased commitment to providing a place and space for all GBA members regardless of practice area, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, etc. through leadership roles, CLE offerings (including, a return to CLE Lunch & Learns), and association programs/activities/events (including, diversifying where and how we hold monthly member meetings). Further, expect to see greater (i) engagement in Guilford County, (ii) efforts to assist and mentor aspiring and young lawyers, and (iii) focus on elevating the GBA brand.

As we now enter May 2024, I am very pleased to share that the following have been accomplished: 

• Created a Business/Corporate Law Section that resulted in new or increased engagement by attorneys practicing in these areas;
• Held three very successful and free CLE lunch and learns, as well as offered an all-time high of six hours of CLE credit through the annual CLE seminar;
• Created a new award to recognize an outstanding young lawyer while also strengthening the overall relationship between the Young Lawyers Section and the GBA;
• Offered opportunities for several seasoned lawyers to deliver sage advice to the GBA membership at every member meeting;
• Celebrated Martin L. King, Jr. Day by offering free legal advice to the community;
• Diversified our member meetings by holding one at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum during Black History Month and another virtually during Women’s History Month that allowed us to patronize a local woman-owned business; 
• Increased the GBA’s presence on social media and in print media;
• Finalized plans to hold social events for all summer legal interns working in the Triad as the kick-off to a new GBA Fellows Program; and 
• Organized a trip occurring this Fall to the United States Supreme Court for a swearing-in ceremony for interested GBA members.

As I mentioned during our April Member Meeting, serving as GBA President is the first time I have led an organization where I have been able to drive initiatives touching on so many important aspects of my life – being a Black man with a 20-year legal career as an in-house counsel who is passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, my community, and mentoring law students and new lawyers. Therefore, I will always treasure my time in this role.

Finally, mountains are rarely overcome alone; even the little engine had encouragement from the toys it was carrying. I am extremely thankful to the GBA officers, directors, committee chairpersons, and GBA Administrator, Diane Lowe, who not only encouraged me throughout this last year but made substantial efforts to ensure the goals established were met. With all of them and the steadfast participation of the GBA members, “I thought WE could” have an amazing year . . . and WE did! 

All the best,

Gerald L. Walden, Jr.

GBA President, 2023-2024