Hear From the HSBA Executive Director

Aloha,

This marks my inaugural ED column and I'm thrilled to be able to share more about my time thus far at the HSBA. First, I want to thank all our members for their patience as we transitioned to a new management system for our critical member data. As with any transition, it requires significant change management and this shift to a new system, after 11 years, was no different. Our HSBA team worked tirelessly to respond to questions, concerns, and assisted our more than 8,000 members with their renewal process. They have a vested interest in our members' success and I have been lucky to see that from a "close up" perspective.

Prior to joining the HSBA, most of my career had been spent in public service. For those who don't know much about me, I started out my career working with sexual assault and domestic violence survivors and doing public education on healthy relationships. It was working with survivors that propelled me to law school and 2026 marks my 20th graduation anniversary from the William S. Richardson School of Law. Having spent so much of my government career "on the outside looking in" at the HSBA, I did not know where my dues went. I was quick to judge from afar, without recognizing the amazing human capital we have here at the HSBA. They are the heart of the mission, and although I am the only attorney on staff, they invest so much of their thoughtfulness, energy, and insight on ensuring attorneys' success.

Our dues also enable our awesome CLE team to bring relevant, timely, and necessary content to our members. This month, as part of the HSBA's strategic plan, we launch our Disaster Legal Response CLE series, aimed at providing critical information to our members so that we are all prepared to assist when the time arises. We will be focusing on what triggers an emergency and emergency proclamations, federal v. state response, FEMA 101, accessing vital documents and other civil legal needs, including accessing necessary state benefits. I'm hopeful my background in setting up emergency state programs like Disaster SNAP, short term TANF funding for families, and navigating state benefits will serve useful to our broader legal community. I hope that you'll join us.

In service,
Cathy