Page 9 - November 2019 BarJournal

FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COLUMN

THE KEY

INGREDIENTS

Rebecca Ruppert McMahon

ell, here we are again, landing page CleMetroBar.org/Justice which send me an email — or a note or simply use the
on the cusp of another will give you easy access to lots of news and phone — so you can share one key ingredient
holiday season. Are you updates on the Justice Center project? We’ve that you believe makes our current system of
ready to dive headfirst been doing our best to create opportunities justice work. What have we gotten right that
W into the cornucopias, for meaningful dialogue through which our we need to ensure will be carried forward?
turkeys, snow, silver bells, dreidels, holiday members’ viewpoints and the interest of your Have you seen a standout moment of brilliance
parties, New Year cherubs, and more? Of clients can be heard. or grace or expediency or humanity or other
course, the festive parts of the year’s end can Amidst discussions about justice in greater component that has been mixed into our legal
get overshadowed by “stuff” on the opposite Cleveland, I realized recently that the vast, system to produce fair and just outcomes?
end of the spectrum like year-end deals, client vast majority of our conversations have If you have thoughts about one or more
collections, family dramas, goals set but never focused on what needs to be changed or fixed key ingredients, please share them. I’ll take as
reached ... This time of year can truly be a mixed within our system. We have not, however, many as I can collect. I will pool all responses
bag but ready or not, here it comes. devoted much time to the positive attributes received so we can in turn can share the list
Beyond the upcoming holiday festivities, that exist within our system. Ingredients that with both our members and the Justice Center
I’ve been reflecting a lot (clearly a sign of we want to see replicated in our future state of decision-makers. We must be sure that while
my rapidly advancing age) about the past justice. While our legal system is not perfect, we throw out the problems the good doesn’t
year within the CMBA. In particular, I have a whole lot of good nevertheless occurs get left behind.
been thinking through the proliferation within our existing system.
rd
of conversations, articles, programs and We need only look to our 73 Annual
initiatives that surfaced in the past year Public Servants Luncheon held in September Rebecca Ruppert McMahon is the CEO of the
related to our justice system. It’s hard to to see real-life examples of people who have CMBA. She has been a CMBA member since
believe that it has been nearly a year since helped make our system strong. (Did you see 1995. She can be reached at (216) 696-3525
U.S. Marshal Peter Elliot issued his report the recap video from the Luncheon? Check or rmcmahon@clemetrobar.org.
about the state of the County Jail following out our YouTube Channel if you missed it.)
the deaths of several inmates. Soon after the There are literally thousands of attorneys, Public Servants Honoree Linda D.
report landed, the CMBA issued a statement judges, bailiffs, clerks and other professions Brooks and Administrative
calling for swift change within the jail and who give their best to the administration of Judge Kristin Sweeney
pledging our commitment to help build a justice in greater Cleveland each and every
better system of justice. day. Our system enables those who bring their
From our Boardroom to our Sections, grievances to court to find just resolutions.
Committees and beyond, we have used the Those who are summonsed to account for
past 12 months to make good on that pledge, their actions are held accountable. Victims and
including several just in the past month. Did their families who seek protection and justice,
you see Ian Friedman’s October 29 letter secure both. The most vulnerable within our
published on Cleveland.com? Did you attend community gain access to justice and better
either our October or November Hot Talks opportunities for the days ahead.
focused on bail and pretrial reforms in the So while we plan for a new and improved
municipal and common pleas courts? Did you system of justice, I wanted to use this month’s
read the October Bar Journal which focused column to ask for your help in identifying the
exclusively on the subject of our Future State good parts of our existing system. I challenge
of Justice? And have you checked our new everyone who is still reading this article to
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