The State Bar of Michigan has appointed John T. Berry of Florida as its new Executive Director. Berry, who has more than 23 years of legal practice and management experience in the legal field, will officially assume his new position on November 13, 2000.

Berry brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience and I believe that he will serve the Bar well," said State Bar Immediate Past President Alfred M. Butzbaugh. "The Board had the difficult task of selecting from well-qualified candidates."

Prior to being employed by the State Bar, Berry was Director of the Center of Professionalism at the University of Florida's Levin College of Law. He has held previous positions as Assistant Executive Director of the State Bar of Arizona (1998-2000), and as staff counsel and Legal Division Director of the Florida Bar (1983-1998). While at the Florida Bar, Berry also served as Director of Lawyer Regulation (1983-1984). He has also served as Florida Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Fraud Division (1976-1983).

Berry is trained and approved by the Florida Supreme Court as an instructor for judicial education. He is a frequent lecturer throughout the state and nation on ethics and professionalism and is responsible for establishment of the Florida Bar's and the State Bar of Arizona's Professional Enhancement Program (ethics school) as well as being a main lecturer. He is also a member of over 15 consulting teams to other states evaluating their ethics and professionalism efforts.

Berry is a member of the ABA House of Delegates, the ABA Consultation Team on Office Efficiency and Resource Analysis, and serves as liaison for the State Bar of Arizona to the ABA Ethics 2000 Commission. He is an Officer of the National Organization of Bar Counsel and served as the organization's president in 1990. Berry received his B.A., magna cum laude, in political science from the University of Florida in 1973 and his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law in 1976.