President's Message by Solon M. Phillips

Greetings! It is my honor to serve as the President of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association ("Straker") for the 2009-2010 bar year. This year's theme "Building on the Straker Tradition" serves as a reminder of the rich legacy that Straker has amassed over the last 19 years. This bar year, it is my goal to constantly highlight our rich history by advancing Straker's core mission to increase minority representation in the legal profession, promote legal practice opportunities for minorities and women, and to facilitate equal justice for all citizens in Oakland County and surrounding areas.

Our membership includes a racially diverse coalition of lawyers, judges, and legal professionals. We firmly believe that one of our greatest strengths is the diversity of our membership. We will seek to engage our membership by providing useful resources and valuable networking opportunities.

My administration will seek to strengthen Straker's core programming, expand its membership base, and upgrade Straker's technological capabilities. Straker will also forge strategic relationships with other special purpose bar organizations and corporate citizens who have interests that are consistent with Straker's core mission.

We move forward with an enthusiasm that we hope will become contagious. If you are a continuing supporter, we sincerely appreciate your support. If you have not previously supported Straker or attended a Straker event or program, we invite you to join us.

I look forward to a very successful bar year.

Sincerely Yours,

/s/ Solon M. Phillips, President

D. Augustus Straker Bar Association