Leader in a Hurry
New Bar President Geoff Trachtenberg
BY TIM EIGO
PHOTO BY JOHN HALL
Those who observe decision-making bodies learn
quickly why they are described as deliberative.
The matters are often weighty, the stakes are
high, the opinions diverse. Caution is
baked into the system. For many leaders,
a ponderous pace ensures wisdom in
the face of challenging issues.
But new State Bar President Geoff
Trachtenberg is in a hurry. It’s early
in his term, but at least one of the
monthly meetings he’s led crossed
the finish line at about two hours—
a lightning bolt in the world of
legal pondering. Speakers are
urged to be brief—or silent.
Friendly amendments, welcome
perhaps in the House of Lords,
are greeted with the President’s
wrinkled brow or reddened
face. The tempo is quickened,
musing is minimized, votes
rapid-fire.
