Someone recently commented that MSBA Sections are the “heart and soul” of the Bar Association, which led me to think, not about lyrics, but about playing the tune. How many of you have considered yourself a pianist after plopping yourself down on a piano bench with a friend and banging out the chords or the melody to Heart and Soul? Seems like almost a rite of passage.

Hard to tell if the MSBA Sections are more of the chord players – steady, regular – or the melody players – adding the variety, above and beyond, noteworthy projects. When I asked my co-workers what the various Sections are up to these days, I was amazed, not just with the number but with the breadth of activities. I then decided to write a blog post about what I learned. The challenge – not sounding like an infomercial. Tall order. One way would be to pick just one or a few activities, then provide a link to all the rest. But that wouldn’t really get my point across. I am not trying to sell anything, rather I want to amaze.

So, hang on to your hats, and I will blog you through an entire rendition of Heart and Soul. If necessary, click on the link in the first paragraph, to provide ambience as you read. Ready, begin.

Playing Chords

On the one hand, most of the 34 MSBA sections offer a chance to network and a chance to learn. Most sections meet monthly. Over the next several weeks Sections will host several free or low-cost CLEs on a variety of topics:

• The U.S. Senate recount trial (Civil Litigation Section)
• Children & Human Trafficking (Children and Law Section)
• International Criminal Law (Criminal Law Section)
• Clinical Trials (Food & Drug Section)
• Mental Health Parity (Health Law Section)
• NLRB Casehandling (Labor & Employment Law Section)

In addition, MSBA Sections keep members informed on their practice area through e-newsletters, blogs, list-servs and other publications. Check out the Labor and Employment Section’s Winter/Spring Newsletter. Some MSBA sections give members an opportunity to volunteer their time and expertise. For example, this Spring both the Labor & Employment and the Environmental Law sections will launch Speakers Bureaus.

Section involvement is a way to network with peers – old, new, and soon-to-be; metro and outstate:

• Both Labor & Employment and the New Lawyers section are hosting receptions this spring for new lawyers.
• Some sections, such as Family Law, host satellite meetings and CLEs to enable participation by outstate members.

Playing the Melody

On the other hand, some Sections are engaging in activities above and beyond their regular offerings. Upcoming:

• The Civil Litigation Section is finalizing the Judicial Questionnaire project. The results will inform lawyers about the specific courtroom and proceeding requirements of individual state district court judges. The results will be posted on the Section’s website.
• The Elder Law Section will celebrate and support National Healthcare Decisions Day around the state with a number of clinics and presentations
• The ADR Section is co-sponsoring an all day training event featuring Ken Cloke.

Working at the MSBA offices, I see members come and go throughout the day. Some want to play, others, to listen. Fortunately, there is room at the piano for all.