Patrick A. Guida
President, Rhode Island Bar Association
A Year Focused on Education and Professional Development
We continue to live in challenging times. The fundamental principles upon which our democracy was built—rule of law, equal access to justice, due process, and civil discourse—remain under pressure. Over the past year, I have been guided by a simple but deeply held belief: that the strength of these principles depends not only on our institutions, but on an informed and engaged citizenry. And there is no better place to begin fostering that understanding than with the youth of our state.
For that reason, a central focus of my presidency has been the expansion and promotion of law-related education (LRE) programs. I have been proud to support and advance our longstanding initiatives such as Constitution Day, Law Day, Lawyers in the Classroom, and the Speakers Bureau, while also helping to launch two new and exciting programs: Storytime with Lawyers and the Shadow a Lawyer Program. Encouragingly, participation from educators, attorneys, and members of the Judiciary in these programs has increased substantially, reflecting a growing, shared commitment to civics education across our state.
Each of these efforts shares a common purpose: introducing students to the law, demystifying the role of lawyers, and inspiring future careers in the profession. They often provide a student’s first meaningful exposure to the legal system and the possibility that they, too, can be part of it. One of the highlights of this year was organizing a press event at the State House to promote these LRE initiatives. I was honored to be joined by Justice Long, Secretary of State Gregg Amore, and Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Angélica Infante-Green. Their participation underscored the importance of this work and reflected a shared commitment across all branches of government to strengthening civics education in Rhode Island.
I am also grateful to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), which stepped forward as a strong partner in these efforts, helping to generate increased interest in our programs and to elevate the importance of civics education statewide. This collaboration is critical. We are fortunate that Rhode Island now has a law mandating civics education for students, a development that represents a significant and necessary investment in the future of our democracy. This requirement creates meaningful opportunities for attorneys to support and help shape the educational experiences of our students.
Civics education is not an abstract concept; it is the foundation upon which informed citizenship is built. By engaging with students early, we not only promote understanding of our system of government, but we also model the values of professionalism, reasoned debate, and respect for the rule of law. Just as importantly, we open doors. We show students, many for the first time, that a career in law is both attainable and impactful.
This commitment to education extended beyond our outreach to students. It also shaped a parallel effort to enhance the professional development of our Bar members. Over the past year, I asked our committees to consider developing practical, skills-based CLE programs within their respective practice areas. I am deeply grateful to the committees that stepped up to meet this call.
These programs are essential. Across the profession, among practitioners and judges alike, there is growing concern about the readiness of newer attorneys, particularly in trial and courtroom skills, professionalism, courtroom preparedness, and substantive legal knowledge. These concerns are not anecdotal and are being felt both locally and nationally.
In response, we believe it is important to revisit the concept of a practical skills course requirement for new lawyers, and we have begun discussions with the Supreme Court to consider proposing changes to MCLE requirements.
This is not a new concept to me. Earlier in my career, I participated in a practical skills program where we worked through real-world scenarios and emphasized learning by doing. That experience reinforced my belief that we have an obligation to share our expertise with the next generation of lawyers. Practical skills training is not simply about competence; it is about confidence. When attorneys feel prepared, they are better advocates for their clients, more effective officers of the court, and more engaged members of our profession. It is incumbent upon all of us to help foster that readiness.
As my term comes to a close, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the members of this Bar for the opportunity to serve. It has been an honor. I am especially thankful to those who supported and participated in these education-related initiatives. Your time, effort, and commitment have made a meaningful difference.
Although my presidency is ending, my commitment to these efforts is not. I intend to continue supporting and advancing both LRE programs and practical skills training in the years ahead. I encourage each of you to consider getting involved, whether by participating in an LRE program, speaking on a CLE panel or Annual Meeting workshop, or helping to develop a practical skills course.
Finally, I must commend our Bar Association staff. Their contributions to making our Association run effectively, and their overall impact, are immeasurable. Staff performance has consistently far exceeded my expectations of their role. They deserve our most sincere expression of appreciation.
Our profession is at its best when we invest in others: when we educate, mentor, and lead by example. Together, we can strengthen not only the Bar, but the very foundations of the society we are sworn to serve.
Thank you.
