Communication Section Honors Ginger Banks, Arlene Abady
Ginger Banks, retired director of the State Bar Texas Public Services Division, was honored at the NABE Midyear Meeting Membership Luncheon with the presentation of the Communications Section E.A. "Wally" Richter Communications Leadership Award. Arlene Abady, managing editor of The Colorado Lawyer at the Colorado Bar Association (CBA) was presented with the first Anne Charles Award for Distinguished Service to the NABE Communications Section. (click here for photo)
Banks, long active in the NABE Communications Section and an exemplary bar communicator, was recognized for her creativity and leadership in advancing the art and science of public relations. Throughout her 25 year tenure with the State Bar of Texas, Banks was a reliable and insightful source of advice and inspiration to her colleagues. They also admire and benefit from her story telling skills and sense of humor that is as dry as Texas tumbleweed.
Banks' service to the section included serving on its executive council as both a member and as secretary. She headed the section’s Communications Audit Service Committee and chaired the NABE Public Service Activities Committee. A frequent contributor to NABE and section programs as a panelist, presenter and moderator, Banks always brought new understanding to her subject matter.The Richter Award is recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of communications, for extraordinary service to colleagues in the National Association of Bar Executives. It is named for Wally Richter, retired director of communications at the Missouri State Bar and the preeminent bar communicator.
Abady was recognized for her distinguished and significant volunteer activities on behalf of the section throughout her more than 20-year tenure with the CBA. She has chaired the annual communications workshop program, served on the executive council and has served on nearly every section committee in every available capacity from chair to worker bee. She proposed and developed the section’s Luminary Awards program that recognizes distinguished work in public relations, electronic communications and publication. Abady’s enthusiastic and energetic support for the section and her colleagues is legendary.
The Anne Charles Award was created to honor the memory of Anne Charles, director of communications at the State Bar of California, who served the section by chairing committees, serving on the executive council, mentoring new members, and representing the section’s interests with the NABE Board of Directors.