DES MOINES - The small-town Iowa native and partner of a private law firm in Decorah said he is honored to serve his fellow members as the newly elected president of The Iowa State Bar Association.

Marion Beatty is ready to take the reins as the organization's top officer this week at the ISBA's annual meeting in Des Moines.

Beatty will be receiving the gavel from the 2005-06 ISBA President, J.C. Salvo from Harlan.

"In order to be a good leader I know I first need to be a good listener. I want to listen to the board and pursue the agenda it determines to be the right one for the association," Beatty said. "I hope to continue to build on the successes of past ISBA presidents and their boards."

The new president plans to continue the ISBA's support of Iowa Legal Aid and develop a strong legislative program for Iowans. Beatty

also will work to continue the educational programs, such as Mock Trial and the "Know Your Constitution" competition, that benefit many of Iowa's youth by teaching students more about the government and the legal system.

One of Beatty's goals is also to address an issue that particularly hits home for him - working to keep attorneys in rural areas.

"I know from talking with the Board of Governors and other lawyers that recruiting new lawyers to rural areas is very difficult in many communities," Beatty said. He believes some of the factors contributing to this problem are migration of legal work away from rural communities, an inability to financially support young lawyers with large student debt and a lack of work at reasonable pay when representing those who qualify for indigent defense.

Beatty hails from Vinton and has said he will always appreciate and remember the memories of his family and friends working together

on the farm.

"The farm instilled a great sense of self-discipline, self-reliance and responsibility in each of us. Our parents helped us develop a strong work ethic on the farm," he said.

Beatty has a bachelor's degree in history and English from Luther College in 1975. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1977, and joined the Miller Law Firm in Decorah that same year, where he has been practicing law ever since.