It is with sadness that Ms. JD, and the New York and American legal communities have learned about the passing of Lorraine Power Tharp, the New York Bar Association's 105th President and only the third women to hold that position.

Lorraine Power Tharp was an active and engaged member of the bar, committed to her practice and to making a difference in others' lives.  As president, and among other things, she created the Task Force on Increasing Diversity in the Judiciary and the Presidential Summit.  This Summit continues to occur annually, where experts and legal professionals meet to discuss important and current issues facing the legal profession.

Subsequent to her term as President of the NYSBA, Lorraine Power Tharp co-chaired the Association's Committee on Diversity and Leadership Development from 2005-2008.  She was committed to increasing the diversity in the leadership of the NYSBA.  She was a pioneer not only for women in the law, but also for numberous other groups.  Her impact will continue to live on through all of her contributions to the legal profession.  Ms. JD offers our deepest condolences to her family and to those close to her.

For more information about the life of Lorraine Power Tharp, please visit www.nysba.org/LorrainePowerTharp.