The association last week swore in a new president, officers and executive board and said goodbye to longtime staffer Stephanie Abbott.

Abbott is leaving to spend more time with her family. She has served the bar association in various capacities, most recently as communications director. She is known throughout the legal community for her friendly demeanor, sense of humor and commitment to her work.

Bar Executive Director Eric Mann broke down when announcing her departure at the January luncheon Jan. 24. He presented her with a montage of all the covers she designed for the bar's publication, Comunique.

"I always thought that we'd be working together for a long time," he said, pausing to compose himself. "It's hard to say goodbye. She's not going away entirely, she'll still be around, but it's time to move on."

Association members will also see a lot less of North Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Stephen Dahl, 2007 bar president. Dahl was officially replaced last week by Karl Nielson of Jones Vargas. Dahl expressed pleasure at stepping down from the stressful job (he also served as president of the Nevada Judges Association) while vowing to remain involved in key committees such as the Trial by Peers and the annual Continuing Legal Education cruise.

Nielson expressed thanks to his family, firm and secretary for supporting him in his work for the bar association. And he promised to continue Dahl's strong leadership.

"It is truly a great pleasure to stand before you and serve as Clark County Bar Association president," Nielson said. "This bar association has been in great hands. Judge Dahl has done an excellent job ... The association is in good hands now because we have the most incredible committees."

Other officers sworn in were: President-Elect Juvenile Hearing Master Frank Sullivan, Secretary/Treasurer A. Wayne Carter; and board members Kimberly Buchanan, Kari Stephens, Catherine Mazzeo and Damon Dias, Linda Bullen, Bryce Kunimoto, Zachariah Larson, Becky Pintar, Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez, and Judge T. Arthur Ritchie.

The bar association also used the luncheon to honor top volunteers. The Circle of Support Awards were granted to members who have given particularly important service on a committee.

The winner from the continuing education committee was Stephen Smith, who has served on the committee for nearly a decade. The community service committee award was given to Robert Nelson-Kortland. For the second year in a row, the publication committee award was given to Tami Cowden.

The new lawyers committee award was given to Jennifer Bunyan. Wayne Carter was named the outstanding board member for 2007.

In a surprise move, the bar named State Bar of Nevada President Nancy Allf association Ambassador of the Year for her work in uniting the two bars in community and service efforts.

The unsung hero award was given to Certified Legal Videography, which works closely with the county bar on all its continuing education programs.

The association also granted several community service awards. The first went to online shoe retailer Zappos for its efforts to aid the bar in its Shoes That Fit fundraiser to buy new shoes for needy schoolchildren.

Bank of Nevada, which sponsored all of the bar's luncheons in 2007, was named sponsor of the year. Thomson West was named supporter of the year.

The bar also granted Clark County law foundation awards. The corporate donor of the year award was given to Las Vegas neighborhood services division, which has funded the Trial by Peers program for several years. The bar also honored several students in the Trial by Peers program who made outstanding contributions.

The volunteer of the year award went to Kimberly Mucha Abbot, who runs the Clark County pro bono project. Mucha Abbott thanked the bar for the award and encouraged experienced lawyers to sign up for the project's annual partnership efforts with the Boyd School of Law. The program, which is getting under way, is still looking for several mature lawyers to take on pro bono cases with the help of a law student.