WHY NOT MISSISSIPPI?
July 14, 2011 § 7 Comments
As I write this, around 500 Mississippi lawyers and judges, many with their families, are in Destin, Florida, for this year’s bar association meeting. That is around 1,000 Mississippians who are spending Mississippi dollars in Florida hotels, on Florida golf courses, in Florida restaurants and bars, in Florida shops, on Florida souvenirs, on Florida fishing charters and equipment, and at Florida gas stations and convenience stores.
Why is Mississippi not worthy of this largesse?
Admittedly, when the Mississippi Bar made its move away from Mississippi back in the 80’s, the coast was a tired place in serious need of updating, but that was before the casinos. Now, even after Katrina, the coast is well able to accommodate the brigade of lawyers and their retinue. There are hotels, casinos, restaurants and shops, there are fishing charters, excursions and every conceivable amenity.
Money spent by the bar members here in Mississippi would pay Mississippi jobs, put money in the pockets of Mississippi vendors, and directly benefit the coast … and any other area with a fitting venue, like, for instance, Desoto County, Jackson, Vicksburg or Natchez. Even if the bar were to meet in Mississippi every other year, that would be a positive.
And it would be a plus in the eyes of Mississippians for a profession that continues to be cynically judged from the Scruggs fallout.
Why not Mississippi?
The Better Chancery Practice Blog 
Judge one of the hottest debates when I was a bar commissioner was this topic. I took the position it should be rotated around the state where we would perform community service projects and keep $ in this state.
The majority felt that this was their one summer vacation with their families.
The bar paid for my first visit to Destin, since I was a 2-hour presenter. I admit I enjoyed it. But I stand by my earlier post. Mississippi can use the economic boost. Florida simply does not need it.
I have always wondered if the practice of holding the annual Mississippi bar meeting in Florida was not some sort of unspoken comment on a division in the Bar between the “building lawyers” and the unwashed rank and file who may not have the money or the time (or the money necessary to overcome the time problem by flying instead of driving). Where Bar membership is mandated it doesn’t seem to be too unreasonable to expect that the annual bar meeting be held in Mississippi; perhaps rotated from the coast to Jackson to Tupelo/Oxford to Tunica.
We don’t have a pretty beach?
Two words: Brown water. Mississippi’s beaches and water cannot hold a candle to Destin’s. What’s more, there’s nothing for families on the coast. If casinos are your choice for entertainment and your 12 year-old has a false moustache and a really good fake ID, then by all means, do it on the coast. Aside from that, what are the kids going to do after they get tired of the beach?
Swim in the pool? Play golf or tennis? Go fishing? How bout a trip to Horn island? Lots to do, just takes a little imagination.
i agree completely! Makes no sense at all.