President’s Message – December 2025

As I write my final President’s Message, I am struck by how quickly this year has passed. It has truly been one of the great privileges of my career to serve as President of the Marin County Bar Association. This year gave me the opportunity to meet more of our wonderful members, to deepen my appreciation for our legal community, and to be reminded, again and again, of the vital role we play as lawyers in upholding the rule of law.

When I began my term, I hoped to strengthen the sense of community within MCBA and to update our website. What I did not anticipate was just how deeply this year would underscore the importance of staying connected as a profession, especially at a time when the legal system, the judiciary, and even the practice of law itself have come under increased pressure. We saw growing misinformation about the courts, hostility directed at lawyers for simply doing their jobs, and public challenges to judicial independence. In response, our programs and conversations continually returned to a core principle: when our courts are questioned, when our colleagues are attacked, when the rule of law is threatened, we must use our voices. I'm so proud that MCBA leaned into these important conversations this year with openness and thoughtfulness.

One of my most joyful parts of the year was launching Thirsty Thursdays. From Mill Valley to Novato, members gathered at restaurants along the 101 corridor not just to network but to unwind, talk, laugh, and reconnect. Each month I met attorneys attending their first MCBA event or returning after time away. Those evenings were filled with genuine conversation and reminded me of the heart of our organization: the people who give their time, insight, and goodwill to lift each other up. In addition to Thirsty Thursdays, we came together for Earth Day, Coastal Clean-Up, our annual picnic, the Book Passage Book Talk, and more in-person monthly meetings.

This year we also had some fun with MCBA swag—t-shirts, sweatshirts, quarter-zips, you name it! And we now have our very own bright orange pop-up tent that makes us impossible to miss at events. It's been a hit!

Behind the scenes, we also made tremendous progress. With the Board’s support, we welcomed a part-time intern who modernized our operations by organizing and moving our administrative files into the cloud. This project was long overdue, and the result is a more secure, accessible, and sustainable foundation for future Boards. That same intern also expanded our presence on social media, ensuring our work is visible on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook (follow us @marincountybar). Our membership grew significantly as well—we welcomed 90 new members, many of whom learned about MCBA through increased outreach and law school engagement.

We also expanded the future of our Bar by voting to increase the amount of our MCBA Legal Education Scholarships. strengthening our commitment to supporting future generations of lawyers. If you know any law students, please encourage them to apply.

While we made progress on our goal of updating the website, we also learned that the current infrastructure is more outdated than we had previously understood. Rather than rushing a patchwork update, we are focused on planning for a modern, functional website that will serve our members well into the future. This will include the updated directory initiated by our Immediate Past President, Scott Buell, whose leadership continues to shape the improvements we are making. Check out the new home page photo!

As this year comes to a close, my gratitude for everyone on our Board of Directors is immeasurable. They are thoughtful, hardworking, and deeply committed to our members. Each person stepped forward in meaningful ways, bringing ideas, energy, and an unwavering dedication to our mission.

This brings me to one of the most important parts of this message: expressing my gratitude to our extraordinary staff. Julie Cervetto, our Executive Director, is the steady, calm, brilliant force who keeps MCBA operating seamlessly. Her dedication supports not only the Board but every member of this association. Julie is the person who ensures that our plans become reality and that our organization remains strong, responsive, and forward-looking. Denise Belli, our Membership & Events Manager, brings exceptional attention to detail to everything she touches. Julie and Denise are the backbone of MCBA, and I am profoundly grateful to both for helping me during this past year.

To all our members, thank you for showing up, for supporting one another, for engaging in conversations, for volunteering your time, and for demonstrating every day why the rule of law matters. I encourage each of you to become more involved in MCBA: attend a new event, join a MCBA committee, become more active in your section, or join the MCBA board. If you have an idea for MCBA, reach out to any member of the Board of Directors.

I am confident that MCBA will continue to thrive under the leadership of Tom McInerney, who brings wisdom, integrity, and a vision for the year ahead. It has been an honor to serve as your President, and I look forward to continuing to support this extraordinary community in the months and years to come.

Wishing you a warm and peaceful holiday season,

Kris Cirby
2025 MCBA President