PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Joseph Kanefield

A Century of Service

I am honored to serve as President of the must be recognized for the work they have State Bar of during the year in which Arizona celebrates its done to help our state grow and prosper. Centennial. I have made it a point to take the opportunity to celebrate These lawyers assembled many of the land 100 years of lawyers serving Arizona. and business deals that helped fuel our Although the State Bar of Arizona was not formally incorporated economy over the past century. until 1933, there has been an organized Bar dating back to statehood. Arizona lawyers also have served as Arizona lawyers have helped shape the debate of some of the most elected officials at the federal, state and important decisions in our state history. local levels, helping shape the policy of the The Arizona Bar federal and state governments. In fact, Association was first incor - seven attorneys have been elected porated in 1906 and elect - Governor of Arizona: John C. Phillips, Arizona lawyers have ed its officers in 1912. The Rawghlie C. Stanford, Ernest W. first president was H. B. McFarland, Samuel P. Goddard, Raúl Wilkinson from Phoenix. Castro, and Janet helped shape the debate The Bar printed a short Napolitano. historical pamphlet that Ernest McFarland deserves special of some of the most year to celebrate Arizona’s mention. He is the only Arizonan to serve statehood. We will contin - in the highest office in all three branches important decisions in ue the tradition of cele - of Arizona government—two at the state brating Arizona’s state - level and one at the federal level. He hood as established by our served as Arizona’s Governor (1954-58), our state history. The founding fathers this sum - Pinal County Attorney (1925-1930), mer at the State Bar’s Pinal County Superior Court Judge theme of the State Bar’s annual convention. (1934-40), U.S. Senator (1940 until We’ve certainly come a 1952, when he was defeated by Barry 2012 Convention next long way since the estab - Goldwater), and finished his career as an lishment of statehood. In Justice (1965- the early years of state - 1971), where he served as Chief Justice in June will celebrate hood, the admission fee to 1968. As a U.S. Senator, he is considered the Supreme Court was one of the “Fathers of the G.I. Bill.” those lawyers. $10, and the minimum I would be remiss if I didn’t also qualifications for becom - acknowledge Arizona attorney and U.S. ing licensed included being Senator for his impressive career in of “full age,” of good public service. He is retiring this year from moral character, a U.S. citizen, and an Arizona resident. The the U.S. Senate after serving in Congress State Bar’s formal role in disciplining attorneys was not solid - and the Senate for the past 24 years. ified until the early 1930s. The theme of the State Bar’s 2012 The first examination administered by the Bar had 100 Convention next June will celebrate the questions, took two days, and proved very difficult to pass. lawyers who have helped shape our great By one account, the first passage rate was around 40 per - state. I encourage all members of the State cent. Bar to share their thoughts and memories It’s only fitting that a new uniform examination will be of events and cases in which lawyers con - rolled out to the July 2012 test takers during the year of our tributed to transform Arizona into a Centennial. This exam will be administered in several states. vibrant and modern community. Those passing the exam in another state will need to take a Please mark your calendars to join us at course on Arizona law to be admitted here. Let’s hope that the Convention from June 20 to 22, at the these examinees fare better than their inaugural brethren. Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. Help us cel - The impact of lawyers in Arizona goes far beyond the ebrate 100 years of lawyers serving the

AZ courtroom. Arizona’s business and transactional attorneys State of Arizona. AT

6 ARIZONA ATTORNEY FEBRUARY 2012 www.azbar.org/AZAttorney