By Christian Appleton
Buchanan, Grand Bassa County – In a powerful and decisive address, Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) President, Bornor M. Varmah, challenged legal professionals to move beyond routine and focus on building a lasting legacy of integrity and accountability. Speaking at the LNBA Leadership Retreat, Varmah declared, “This is not just about setting policies—it’s about defining the legacy of the Bar at a critical juncture in our country’s history.” His remarks, delivered to an audience of judges, magistrates, and other legal professionals, were met with strong applause and set the tone for the multi-day gathering.
The retreat, held in the port city of Buchanan, is a cornerstone of Varmah’s “agenda for renewal.” Participants are set to deliberate on a three-year Strategic Plan, a National Welfare Policy for LNBA members, and new guidelines for international and domestic legal engagements.
Varmah, who was elected president amid widespread calls for reform, directly addressed the criticisms facing Liberia’s legal system. “We must think boldly, act responsibly, and restore public trust in the justice sector,” he urged. He emphasized that the Bar should not be passive when citizens’ rights are at stake, stating, “We must not just interpret the law—we must embody its highest ideals.” His speech comes at a time of public scrutiny over judicial delays, legal ethics, and limited access to justice, particularly in rural areas.
A key feature of the retreat is the introduction of the National Welfare Policy, a long-awaited framework designed to improve the well-being of LNBA members. The policy includes provisions for health insurance, legal education subsidies, and retirement planning, a first for many lawyers outside the capital. “We cannot demand excellence from our members while ignoring the real-life challenges they face,” Varmah said, framing the policy as an act of “justice within our own ranks.”
The event also includes sessions focused on enhancing the Bar’s institutional capacity through improved financial accountability, digital case management systems, and new partnerships with international legal bodies. Development partners, including representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), praised the LNBA’s renewed commitment to reform as a potential “model for sustainable legal development in West Africa.”
As the retreat continues, a sense of optimism is palpable among attendees. A magistrate from Nimba County noted, “This is about more than the law—it’s about justice.” Under Varmah’s leadership, the LNBA appears poised to embark on a new chapter, one focused on a legacy of proactive, inclusive, and ethical legal practice.
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