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Bar Association board approves bylaw change limiting political activity by governors and officers
Summary
The Bar Association's board of governors approved changes to its bylaws that address political activity by governors and officers after a third reading; the motion passed on a roll-call vote and the board took a brief recess.
The Bar Association's board of governors approved changes to the organization's bylaws that address political activity by governors and officers during a third reading at its meeting.
President Adewale introduced the item and asked Governor Kevin Fay to present the revised language. Fay said the draft is an additional reading that incorporates suggestions made at the prior meeting and is intended to clarify limits on political activity by governors and officers.
Tom Ahern, asked to speak by the president, said he supported the change "as a strong believer in the First Amendment" but warned it removes a practical option he had as a governor to avoid contributing to certain judicial or attorney-general candidates. Ahern said that had been a benefit of his service; "you can avoid [conflicts] by saying I'm forbidden from donating to your campaign, and you've taken that away from me," he said.
Kevin Fay responded that he was "truly sorry" about the effect Ahern described but said the committee would not revise the draft and moved the item toward a formal vote.
A motion to approve the governance committee's proposed changes was made by the presiding officer and sent to a roll-call vote. The clerk called the roll; multiple governors were recorded as voting in the affirmative and the motion "passes with 1 not present," according to the clerk's announcement.
After the vote, President Adewale called for a 10-minute break. The board did not take further action on the item at that time beyond approving the bylaw changes.
