After 37 years of serving as the Birmingham Bar Association’s Executive Director, I wish to embark on a new endeavor – that of retirement.

Several weeks ago I informed BBA President, Greg Hawley, and President-Elect, Jim Lloyd, of my decision to retire.  They asked, and I agreed, to continue working until such time as a replacement could be found.  I also agreed to work to assure a smooth transition.

I want each of you to know that I have treasured each moment of my tenure with the Birmingham Bar and that I will carry with me the friendships of the many lawyers I have worked with during my stay with you.

I wish for each and every one of you much happiness and success and continued prosperity for the Birmingham Bar Association.

Beth Carmichael

Below please see message from BBA President Gregory Hawley:

Dear Fellow Lawyer:

After serving thirty-seven years as Executive Director of the Birmingham Bar Association, Beth Carmichael has decided to retire later this year.

There is no one who loves the Birmingham Bar Association more than Beth Carmichael.  In a real sense, she cannot be "replaced" simply because of the magnitude of her contributions over her tenure.  In many ways, she is the institutional memory of the Birmingham Bar Association.  We have a great bar association because of the good natured congeniality of our members -- but also because of Beth’s hard work, dedication and the continuity that thirty-seven years of service provides.  We will miss her deeply.

In all decisions, Beth focuses first on what it is good for the Bar Association, and second, on whether members will be pleased with the manner in which their dues have been spent.  We are indebted to her single-minded devotion and are fortunate that she has agreed to continue serving until a successor is chosen.  She will leave our bar association stronger, better run and more unified than any bar association in the country.

One individual who comes close to Beth in his commitment to the Bar Association is Bruce Rogers.  For that reason, I have asked Bruce to chair a Transition Committee, composed of a broadly representative group of Bar Association leaders.  This Committee will have several functions: first, it will reach out to all constituencies of the Bar Association to assess the current and future administrative needs of the Association; second, based on that assessment, it will draft a new job description for the position of Executive Director; third, it will conduct a national search for the position of Executive Director; fourth, it will make a hiring recommendation to the Executive Committee; and finally, it will work with President-Elect Jim Lloyd and the Executive Committee to organize a transition and orientation for the new Executive Director.

The work of the Transition Committee will take place over the summer and, hopefully, will result in the selection of a new Executive Director well before bar elections in December.  Please be assured that the Transition Committee, the Executive Committee and I will continue to communicate with you about the process.

Bruce and I are particularly pleased to tell you that Dana Thomas, Beth’s administrative assistant, has agreed to serve on this Transition Committee.  Dana’s assistance will be invaluable.  Dana’s institutional knowledge is vast, and her insights will ensure that this major transition will be a seamless process.  To add to the continuity, I hope that Dana will be willing to serve the Bar Association for many years to come.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Bruce Rogers or me.

Very truly yours,

BIRMINGHAM BAR ASSOCIATION

Gregory H. Hawley, President