Kevin P. Durkin, partner at Clifford Law Offices, was sworn in as the 130th President of the Chicago Bar Association (CBA) on June 22. Here are some of the highlights slated for his 2006-07 term:

•  Conference of World Bar Leaders – This year Chicago will host the Fourth Conference of World City Bar Leaders, Sept. 14-16. Nearly 75 bar leaders from the world’s largest cities—London, Paris, Seoul, New York, Los Angeles, Milan, Tokyo, Mexico City, Rome, Madrid, Brussels, to name a few—will be meeting to discuss a number of important topics. Speakers will be covering areas such as international arbitration, international trade, human rights, global transport and aviation treaties.

•  The establishment of a Mentoring Program for young lawyers, a new initiative for the CBA. The Young Lawyers’ Section together with the CBA Mentoring Committee will join efforts to teach younger members the craft and skills necessary to be successful and ethical lawyers. The future of our profession depends upon such efforts. As I was mentored by my partner, Bob Clifford, so, too, the CBA must promote those with experience, making better lawyers of a new generation.

•  Given the new mandate of the Illinois Supreme Court requiring lawyers to report their pro bono hours, the CBA wants to stand for volunteerism and pro bono services. A committee already is working on carrying on the second Pro Bono Week in October featuring a volunteer sign-up fair. The CBA intends to create a greater awareness of all the good that lawyers do through their pro bono work.

•  A new Public Affairs Committee has been formed that will help educate the public through developing a greater trust and understanding of lawyers and the profession. This will be accomplished through the media as well as through educating the children in our schools.

•  The CBA intends to be at the forefront of helping lawyers manage their mandatory continuing legal education requirements. For just $125 per year, members can attend more than 150 CLE seminars, some featuring top lawyers in the profession.

•  Through the Abraham Lincoln Marovitz Lend-A-Hand Program, the CBA intends to try to improve literacy rates in Chicago’s schools, particularly in the Englewood community. Please stay tuned for how you can help to make a difference in the lives of many of these schoolchildren through mentoring.

•  Already 400 new members from governmental agencies have signed on as new members, and I will continue to encourage more lawyers to join this fine organization.