Message from the President, September 2025

Why Are We Here?

As we begin another exciting year with the Greensboro Bar Association, the President’s message might include a warm welcome, a few words about me, and an overview of the events and projects we’re planning. While there’s nothing wrong with that, I’d like to start with a more fundamental question:  Why?

Why do we have a Greensboro Bar Association? Why do we choose to join, show up, and participate?

As we approach our centennial celebration, I feel deeply honored to be part of an organization with such strong roots and enduring impact. I am awed and grateful to follow in the footsteps of so many outstanding past presidents, but we can’t rely on legacy alone.  We must continuously re-consider the purposes of the organization for the present needs of our profession.  Our “why” should guide everything we do. It helps us measure whether our activities are aligned with our purpose, and whether we’re still meeting the needs of the legal community we serve.

So, why do we gather? Why do we keep this association alive? There is no single answer, but here are a few reasons that stand out to me:

Learning Together

GBA provides numerous CLE opportunities through lunch-and-learn events, our annual CLE fundraiser, and speakers at monthly meetings. We also learn informally, by sitting around tables, exchanging ideas, and hearing about each other’s work and passions. Whether it’s discovering a practice area you’ve never explored or picking up a more efficient workflow tip, we grow through shared knowledge.

Building Community

Our members come from large firms, small firms, solo practices, government, corporate counsel, and beyond. Some attorneys, especially in solo or small firm settings, crave camaraderie that’s hard to find in daily practice. Even those in larger environments benefit from connecting beyond their usual circles. GBA events like mixers, the holiday party, and baseball games offer times when we can build relationships and simply enjoy each other’s company.

Mutual Support

The legal profession can be emotionally and mentally taxing, with long hours, tough cases, and challenging clients. Programs like BarCARES offer essential support, but so does simply being with others who understand the demands of this work. When we connect, we remind each other that we’re not alone. A shared story, a sympathetic ear, or even a bit of laughter can go a long way.

Serving Our Community

As former Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson often said, “Service is the rent we pay for being on this earth.” We as attorneys often possess skills, resources, and influence to make a difference for those in need around us. Our advantages come with an ethical responsibility to share back to our community. GBA supports Legal Aid with fundraising events, offers scholarships, and provides grants through the Foundation. We also have a history of getting together in service projects such as Ask a Lawyer, Habitat houses, or our Elementary School project. By doing these together in the association, we multiply the impact that any of us might have separately.

Representing the Profession

Let’s face it: lawyers don’t always get the best reputation. We know the essential role we play in upholding the rule of law and helping communities function. Through our collective work, GBA members embody the best of our profession; we are committed, ethical, and service-minded. Together, we help shape the public’s understanding of what it really means to be a lawyer.

These are just a few reasons I believe in GBA. I’m sure you have your own.  What’s important is this: we are stronger together. Our impact is greater, our experience is richer, and our profession is better when we support each other and grow as a community.

As we begin this new year, let’s keep this conversation going.  I invite you to share your own “why.”  Feel free to share with me, our Board members, or just amongst yourselves why the GBA is important to you. If you have friends who are not a part of GBA, maybe share with them some of the reasons the organization is worthwhile and invite them to join us!  Together, we can shape what the GBA means today and for the next 100 years.

Hon. Bill Davis
President, Greensboro Bar Association
and the 24th Judicial District Bar