Arnold & Porter Product Liability Litigation partner Sheila S. Boston was installed as the president of the New York City Bar Association during a ceremony on May 19, 2020. She is the first woman of color to serve as the organization's president.

Boston, who has been an active member of the City Bar since she was a junior associate, champions the organization's "rich legacy of educating, supporting and strengthening its membership; serving as an important resource and voice for the people of our great city; championing the historically disadvantaged and those in need; and defending the rule of law." As the City Bar's 69th President, Boston's six initiatives include: COVID-19 Recovery Projects; Mental Health & Wellness; Access to Justice; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Criminal Justice Reform; and Protection of the Rule of Law.

Richard M. Alexander, Chairman of Arnold & Porter, said: "We are all proud that Sheila has been elected as president of the New York City Bar Association. She is a passionate and committed advocate for the mission of the City Bar and will be an outstanding leader of this important organization."

"I am humbled, honored, blessed and thrilled with the nomination to serve as President of such an august and prestigious body of legal professionals," said Boston. "I joined the City Bar when I was a junior associate at Kaye Scholer (now Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP), and as my first professional bar association home, it holds a very special place in my heart. I have maintained an active membership there because of its rich legacy of educating, supporting and strengthening its membership; serving as an important resource and voice for the people of our great city; championing the historically disadvantaged and those in need; and defending the rule of law. My life mantra has always been 'to whom much is given, much is required,' and it is with that spirit that I accept the nomination and look forward to continuing that legacy and taking the organization to even greater heights of service to the profession and beyond."

Boston was nominated for the position in December 2019, and was profiled by New York Law Journal and Law360 on her plans for her tenure. The New York Law Journal also subsequently featured the installation ceremony.

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