History of the Organization

Lawyer Pilot's Bar Association

History of the Organization

THE HISTORY, PURPOSES AND ORGANIZATION OF THE ASSOCIATION

THE FORMATION

Our natal day was the incorporation of the Legal Eagles Association on August 4, 1959, under the New Jersey Non-profit Corporation Act. Alfred Rathblott, our Association's first president, had the creative impulse to organize an association of flying lawyers.

The coterie of nine lawyer-pilots who signed Articles of Incorporation were Merrill Armour, William G. Freemen, Howard G. Law. Jr., Alfred R. Pierce, David C. Quinn, Albert Rathblott, Frank Kingston Smith, Stuart M. Speiser, and Alfred L. Wolf. They were men of known ability as lawyers and aviators who perceived the need for an association wherein lawyer pilots might find the expressions of their aspirations in an atmosphere of aviation fellowship.

Frank Kingston Smith gave a "hell yes"when asked by Al whether or not he would be interested in the formation of a cadre of flying lawyers. In Frank's words: "A few days later another phone call. You got a minute' were Al's first words after I picked up the hand set. I said I did. Well' he said with that gravelly voice of his. 'I'm double parked on Chestnut Street right out in front of your building. C'mon down and sign the Articles before I get a ticket.' I rushed down and signed the papers on top of Al's car."

General Alfred L. Wolf received a similar recruiting call from Al. Like Frank, Abby was a Philadelphia lawyer, but he had partners to contend with. They, not knowing the difference between an aileron and an airworthiness directive, disapproved of the name "Legal Eagles." It so lacked dignity that Abby's partners instructed him to decline. Abby signed on only after the name was changed by appropriate resolution amending the Certificate of Incorporation to Lawyer Pilots Association. "Legal Eagles" was retained as a nickname and memorialized in the name of our Association's publication which for many years was called "Legal Eagle News."

In later years we assumed more of the dignity Abby's partners were looking for. In 1965, by amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, we became a bar association, the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association, and later the "News" became the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association Journal.

THE ASSOCIATION'S GEOGRAPHIC REACH

In the formative years there was much to be done by the Board of Directors at their special meetings held in cities coast to coast. Early on the need to divide the country into LPBA regions was recognized. Originally there were four regions, Northeast, Southeast, Central and Western. Now there are nine corresponding to the geographic regions formed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Each region is headed by a Regional Vice President. The Association is now international, with an elected International Vice Presidents and members in Canada, England, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Cyprus, and Guatemala.

OPENING THE MEMBERSHIP TO NON-PILOTS AND NON-LAWYERS

An item in Al Rathblott's first Bulletin to members, sent out to members only one month after incorporation, indicated the enthusiastic reception the formation of the Lawyer-Pilots Association received: "Attorneys from 20 states totaling seventy-six in number, have initiated a desire to belong to this Association. Two months after being incorporated, twenty-one flying lawyers attended the first meeting of the corporation at Monticello, New York, October 25, 1959.

From time to time the suggestion was whispered to open a non-voting class of membership for non-pilot lawyers who were aviation oriented and had much to offer LPBA. This extreme departure from the traditional was considered to be heresy when proposed by resolution to be voted on at the 1967 summer meeting at Mackinac Island. The resolution was defeated unanimously in 1967, but times do change. Clearly there were non-pilot lawyers and others who shared our common interest and purpose and who were willing and able to make a significant contribution to the improvement of LPBA.

A hearty "welcoming aboard" is now given to the non-voting members classified as: lawyers who are not pilots but who have an interest in aviation safety or aviation law; students currently attending law school who have an airman's certificate; any person who has an interest in aviation safety or aviation law; and Patrons -- contributors of $300 per year to our Association's efforts to enhance aviation safety.

OUR REASONS FOR EXISTENCE

In 1965, when the name of our Association was changed a second time, the purposes of the cooperation were rewritten as follows: (a) to encourage the knowledge and understanding of aviation law; to promote spirit of fellowship within those of legal profession who have the interest of both lawyer and a pilot in the science or administration of aviation law; (b) to promote cooperation with governmental and other organizations so as to enhance general aviation safety and to offer to both governmental and civil agencies, the special knowledge and skill of its members so as to assist such agencies in the performance of their functions in the development of aviation law.

There are three more, unwritten but equally important purposes of the Association. They are: the continuing legal education of our lawyer members; the pursuit of good times, and the fellowship we have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy together.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

To achieve the Association's educational purposes, semi-annual national meetings are held, winter and summer, at which well known men and women come to speak on subjects that are topical at the moment. The speakers come from diversified backgrounds: the bench and bar; industry; education; state and federal administrative bodies; and our own talented membership. The professional programs are prepared to gain CLE credit in non-aviation as well as aviation fields of law. The national conventions have produced a host of speakers who have given stirring and informative talks at the annual luncheon and banquet.

The well-written, informative articles published quarterly in the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association Journal provide members with topical developments in aviation and the law.

Taken from an article published in the LPBA Journal in 1991
originally written by George I. Whitehead, Jr., President 1988-1990

Discovered in the November 1969 issue of The AOPA PILOT magazine, members of the then 10 year old Lawyer Pilots Bar Association help conduct a legal seminar at the September 1969 AOPA convention in Atlantic City, NJ. The late Virginia Hash was President of LPBA from 1966-1970, John Yodice served as President from 1984-1986, and the late Lloyd B. Ericsson served as President from 1978-1980

In Memory of Sid Berlin

1993-1994 LPBA President Sid Berlin passed away on June 26, 2005 at his home in Napa, California.

Resolution of the Members of the
Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association

Whereas, Sidney L. Berlin was a member of the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association for almost 40 years.

Whereas, Sid Berlin served as President of the LPBA from July 1, 1993, through June 30, 1994, after having served as Treasurer, Secretary, and President-Elect, and thereafter remained an active member of the LPBA Board of Directors.

Whereas, Sid Berlin and his wife Peggy graciously hosted an elegant dinner in the vineyard of their Calistoga home during the 1998 Summer LPBA meeting, which has been a treasured memory for many LPBA members.

Whereas, Sid Berlin always acted with distinction and generosity as a Member, Officer, and Director with the LPBA and with his friends and colleagues in LPBA.

Whereas, in the minds and hearts of the LBPA members who had the pleasure and privilege to know him, Sid Berlin was a leader, mentor, friend, and gentleman in all respects.

Whereas, Sid Berlin was a large part of the success of the LBPA and the mission that it serves for the benefit of all LPBA members.

Whereas, Sid Berlin passed away peacefully on June 26, 2005, after a prolonged illness and a courageous battle.

Whereas, the members of the LPBA wish to express their sympathies to the family of Sid Berlin and to express their sincere gratitude for all that was given to the LBPA by Sid Berlin during his lifetime.

The members of the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association, at its 2005 Summer meeting in Mackinac Island, Michigan, hereby resolve:

To extend its deepest sympathy to Peggy Berlin, his beloved wife, and to the Berlin family;

To recognize Sid Berlin's many contributions and achievements as a Member, Officer, and Director in LPBA;

To acknowledge the valued friendship that Sid Berlin had with so many members of the LPBA; and

To present a framed print of this resolution to Peggy Berlin at a Memorial Service for Sidney L. Berlin to be held on July 17, 2005 in Napa Valley, California.

BERLIN, Sidney Laufer -- died peacefully at his home in Calistoga on Sunday, June 26, 2005. A man of many accomplishments and interests, he lived life fully and passionately until the very end. He was born in Detroit, MI, on April 6, 1927, the son of Aaron Louis Berlin and Anna Gutfruend Berlin. He was raised in Detroit, moving to Los Angeles with his family in 1944. He enlisted in the Navy at 17, upon graduation from high school.

After the war, Mr. Berlin continued his education and graduated with high honors from Fresno State College. He graduated from Santa Clara University Law School in 1952 and began his law practice on the Peninsula. Practicing civil, criminal and family law, he considered a series of desegregation cases he handled, especially Tinsley v. Palo Alto, the most important of his long and varied career. Tinsley v. Palo Alto, which established that every child had the right to a quality education regardless of where they resided.

Perhaps Mr. Berlin's greatest mark was as a community volunteer. For many years he was active in Rotary International, serving as president of the Redwood City club 1981-82 and as Governor for Northern California District 513 in 1986-87. He took great pride in raising funds for Rotary International in their quest to stamp out polio worldwide. He was particularly proud of organizing an ophthalmic mission to Nigeria, where through his efforts, 200 people blinded by cataracts were able to see again. In his work through Rotary he was instrumental in many humanitarian missions. Most recently, with his Calistoga Rotary Club he oversaw the opening of a school for street children in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Mr. Berlin was an Officer or Board member of many service oriented and civic organizations including B'nai B'rith, Salvation Army, Santa Clara Law Alumni Society, San Mateo County Service League and the Redwood City Planning Commission.

Mr. Berlin enjoyed many interests. He had a wonderful tenor voice, training and serving as professional and volunteer Cantor in various Synagogues in the Bay Area. He loved to fly and most enjoyed piloting his favorite super-charged Cessna 210. He joined the Lawyer Pilots Bar Assoc., serving as president in 1993-94. Throughout his life he loved to travel, and for many years lead legal seminars for groups of attorneys where he explored many parts of the world, returning with great stories. He loved his family and friends and was a good host and storyteller, with a delightful sense of humor. Through the years he was very active in local, state and national politics. Other interests were photography, baseball and travel.

Sid met Peggy Atkins, in 1987, when she was a Rotary International Scholarship Recipient, returning for graduate work, at UCSF, after many years as a nurse. Sid and Peggy married in 1989. The couple moved to their ranch in Calistoga in 1996, making new friends in the community and tending their grapes which are made into Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon. He is survived by Peggy, who was at his side when he died.

Sid was previously married to Diane Goldsmith with whom he had four children, all of whom survive him: Elaine White of Menlo Park, Ruth Wheeler of Menlo Park, Louis Berlin of Aliso Viejo, Elizabeth Fishback of Menlo Park. He is also survived by sons-in-law, Dean White, Ron Wheeler, Glenn Fishback, daughter-in-law Dianne Berlin; step-daughter, Tara Blakley, of Napa, step-son, Geoff Atkins of Kelowna, BC; and seven grandchildren, Matthew White, Suzanne White, Rebecca White, Jennifer Baker, Daniel Berlin, Andrew Berlin, Sarah Fishback.

A Memorial Service was held on Sunday, July 17, 2005 at 3:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Sholom, 1455 Elm, Napa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Rotary International Foundation, c/o Calistoga Rotary Club, Post Office Box 754, Calistoga, CA 94515 or Calistoga Family Center, 1400 Cedar Street, Calistoga, CA 94515.