2012-13 Co-Chair	2012-13 Co-Chair
Mr. Mark R. Bernstein	Mr. Ray S. Farris
704/335-9005	704/998-2223
markbernstein@parkerpoe.com	rfarris@jahlaw.com

2011-12 Report

The Bar History Committee spent the past several years working on the publication of An Independent Profession: A Centennial History of the Mecklenburg County Bar written by Marion A. Ellis and Howard E. Covington Jr. and edited by E. Osborne Asycue Jr.

The authors were aided in their efforts by papers and archival materials by members of the Bar, interviews with past Bar Presidents, other lawyers, other persons throughout North Carolina, and their own independent research.  The publication of this book was made possible initially through a generous underwriting by the Mecklenburg County Bar and the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, contributions from many lawyers and law firms, and the hard work of the members of the Bar History Committee who were supported by our exceptional Bar staff. 

We are especially grateful to the lawyers and law firms who made financial contributions to this project.  As a final result, the Bar History Committee has reimbursed the Bar and the Bar Foundation in full and raised sufficient funds to provide this book to you at no cost.On behalf of our committee, we hope that you will read this book, take pride in the role lawyers have played in shaping our community and recognize the legacy handed down to present and future lawyers as the keepers of the rule of law in society.

Thank you to the long-standing commitment of the Bar History Committee members: E. Osborne Ayscue Jr., Hon. Robert P. Johnston, Luther T. Moore, Deborah A. Nance, E. Fitzgerald Parnell III, Claire J. Rauscher and Chase B. Saunders.

Centennial Celebration Subcommittee

The Centennial Celebration Subcommittee, chaired by Hon. Shirley L. Fulton and Mark W. Merritt of the Bar History Committee worked tirelessly for a year and a half before kicking-off the Bar's Centennial in January 2012 with the opening of "Picturing the Past, A Centennial History of the MCB" at the Levine Museum of the New South. 

In February, the Bar came together for the Centennial Gala, black-tie event with Walter E. Dellinger providing the keynote address. In March, the work of the Bar History Committee, An Independent Profession was debuted through a book-signing event and panel discussion.  In April, the Bar spearheaded a Celebration of Community Service by mobilizing volunteers throughout the community. A monthly Centennial CLE Lecture was presented during the first half of the year featuring Bar members and groups that have helped shape the Bar. 

In December 2012, you will receive a special Centennial edition of the Mecklenburg Bar News featuring a recap of all the Centennial activities from 2012.