Next Tuesday evening, Fred Lane will start his final semester leading the "Trial Techniques" class he's been a part of since the 1950s. Lane, who donated the class to ISBA years ago, will continue as an occasional instructor for the course but will hand off the weekly responsibilities to others.
"It’s time to let others take it over," Lane said. "I want to spend more time with mediations and mediation activities. I'll still be doing the 40-hour mediation class for the ISBA with Dick Caulkins [a co-founder, with Lane, of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution.]"
"This will give me more time for my hobbies, especially magic. I've always done a lot of charitable magic gigs at hospitals and senior citizen homes and nursing homes."
Lane, who performs as The Great Fredini, typically ends each class with a magic trick.
Lane's involvement with ISBA started in 1958 thanks to then President Barnabas Sears. Sears approached Lane about joining the ISBA and Lane thought it was a great idea. After joining, Lane received a letter heralding him as the 10,000th member of the association.
"I got invited down to Springfield and received an award," Lane said. "What a great way to start off my time with ISBA."
Lane later served as ISBA President from 1985-86.
