Fifty-nine incoming leaders of the State Bar of Michigan's committees and sections received a half-day orientation at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing during the State Bar's Fourth Annual Bar Leadership Institute (BLI) held on August 3.

State Bar Interim Executive Director Danial J. Kim, who was among the presenters at this year's BLI, gave a Power Point presentation, which informed incoming chairs of the services available to them through the State Bar. Bar President Alfred M. Butzbaugh discussed the "state of the Bar" and President-elect Thomas J. Ryan was on hand to discuss the Bar's priorities in the new millennium.

Section and committee chairpersons were briefed on the function and activities of various Bar Departments as well as the leadership opportunities available to committees and sections through the State Bar.

The BLI provides the new leadership with an overview of current Bar projects, as well as the mechanics of setting up meetings, managing the committee/section finances and the role that committees and sections can play on public policy issues. The overall purpose of the BLI is to build a strong foundation for a productive relationship between the State Bar, committees, and sections.