July 10, 2026

President’s Message By Dan Fitzsimmons

On behalf of the ACBA Board of Governors, I offer our deepest thanks to Dave Blaner for his years of dedicated service, steady leadership and unwavering commitment to the Allegheny County Bar Association and Allegheny County Bar Foundation.

For more than three decades, Dave has been a constant presence at the ACBA. Through every change in leadership, every new initiative, every difficult decision and every unexpected challenge, Dave has been there.

He has been an advisor, historian, strategist, problem-solver and, perhaps most importantly, a trusted steward of an institution that means so much to so many.

Those of us who have had the privilege of serving in ACBA leadership know that the role of president is both rewarding and demanding. Each president arrives with ideas, priorities and hopes for the year ahead. Behind each of those presidential years has been Dave, offering guidance, context and support. He understood how to help leaders lead. He knew when to offer advice, when to ask the right question and when to quietly make sure the details were handled so that others could focus on the larger mission.

That support is one of Dave’s greatest gifts. He made presidents better. He made boards stronger. He helped transform ideas into programs. He always worked to make sure that each generation of leaders could move the organization forward while respecting the foundation built by those who came before.

The board has relied on Dave not only for his institutional knowledge, but also for his judgment. He knew the history behind decisions, the personalities involved, the finances, the risks and the opportunities. He could explain how something had been done before, but he was never limited by the phrase, “That’s how we’ve always done it.” Dave appreciated tradition, but he also understood the need to adapt.

Under his leadership, the ACBA has remained one of the strongest and most respected bar associations in the country. It has continued to serve its members through continuing legal education, publications, practice support, networking, public service, leadership development and countless programs that strengthen the profession. The Allegheny County Bar Foundation also has grown in scope and significance, advancing access to justice and supporting programs that serve the broader community.

Those accomplishments did not happen by accident. They reflect years of careful planning, thoughtful management and a deep belief in the value of organized bar work.

Dave has always understood that the ACBA is more than an office, more than a calendar of events and more than a membership roster. It is a community. It is a place where lawyers connect, where judges and lawyers come together, where young attorneys find mentors, where experienced attorneys give back and where the profession’s ideals are reinforced.

He also understood the special relationship between the bench and bar in Allegheny County. That relationship is one of the defining strengths of our legal community, and Dave helped nurture it year after year. Whether through the Bench-Bar Conference, court-related initiatives or countless behind-the-scenes conversations, he recognized that collegiality and mutual respect do not simply happen. They must be cultivated, protected and renewed.

Of course, no tribute to Dave would be complete without acknowledging the staff he has led. The ACBA and ACBF staff have carried out an extraordinary amount of work under his direction, often on tight deadlines and always with a focus on service to members. Dave’s expectations were high because he cared deeply about the quality of the work and the reputation of the organization. The professionalism of the staff is a central part of his legacy.

Leadership is often tested most clearly during times of uncertainty. Dave guided the ACBA through changes in technology, shifts in the legal profession, financial challenges, major events, transitions in leadership and, of course, the unprecedented disruption of the pandemic. In those moments, his calm presence mattered. His ability to assess the situation, gather the right people, consider the long-term implications and move forward with purpose helped keep the organization strong.

As a board, we are grateful not only for what Dave has done, but for how he has done it. He has led with loyalty, humor, perspective and an obvious love for this Association.

A successful leader leaves an organization better than he found it. By that measure, Dave’s tenure has been extraordinary. He leaves behind an ACBA that is financially sound, nationally respected, deeply connected to its members and well positioned for the future. He also leaves behind a culture of service and collegiality that will continue to shape this Association for years to come.

On behalf of the Board of Governors, thank you, Dave. We wish you and Kelley every happiness in retirement. You have earned the opportunity to enjoy the next chapter, knowing that your work has made a lasting difference.

The ACBA will continue to move forward, but it will do so with deep gratitude for the foundation you helped build and the legacy you leave behind.