The Ark (Strawberry-Tiburon Peninsula), March 4, 1990, by Diane Smith
Victor Obninsky Named President of Marin Bar Association


The new president of the Marin County Bar Association is Tiburon resident Victor Obninsky. Installed as head of this prestigious group on February 3, Obninsky has a few new plans he hopes to implement during his year of leadership.

Topping this list will be a program to educate lawyers on issues facing the elderly. "These problems confront all lawyers," says Obninsky. "As we get older, our clients get older along with us, and most lawyers are woefully inadequately aware of all the problems associated with incapacity."

Continuing in this vein, Obninsky has another plant to help the elderly. "I hope to hold a symposium in the area of continuing education," he says, "teaching lawyers ways to deal with legal incapacity. I'd like to have it on the local television station also, so no bar member can say he was too busy to attend. "

A visit from an older client with Alzheimer's disease helped promote Obninsky's interest in problems of the elderly. The gentleman came to him asking about the legal ramifications for his wife if he committed suicide. "I have great empathy with older people," says Obninsky.

Another area which Obninsky is aware of is the "terrible public image " which lawyers hold. "I want to let people know that lawyers have hearts and are decent folks," he says. "We are sometimes seen as something between undertakers, mortgage brokers and dentists who drill teeth."

Obninsky helps prove his point in his own practice. "My specialty is my clients," he says. "I feel very close to each one and have great rapport with them." Because he has been a sole practitioner since graduating from

Hastings Law Colle�e in 1969, Obninsky has always had a general practice. "I'm small business oriented," he says. "I do whatever my clients seem to need - probate, estate planning, some litigation."

The 47-year old bar association president is a staunch believer in giving back to the community. "If we have something to offer, we should do things for other people," he says. "Everybody should give, according to his interests and talent."

Obninsky practices his convictions. In the past he has been a director of the Richardson Bay Sanitary District, volunteered with the local Cubs and Boy Scouts, as well as serving as manager of a Little League baseball team and a southern Marin Babe Ruth team. "I've always believed sports are great for children," he says. "The individual challenge helps develop self-esteem and being on a team helps teach the importance of joint effort."

He has also served as pro tem judge on Marin's Superior Court and as arbitrator on both the superior and municipal courts. For the past six years he has been on the Marin Bar Association Board of Directors and was treasurer for two years before his selection as president. He also handles a special fund to help needy elderly Russians. Obninsky's father was in the Russian navy when he died, the family created a fund for this purpose.

A sports fan, Obninsky's great love is baseball, basketball and football - he's had Cal tickets for the same seats at Berkeley for the past 21 years. His other passion is traveling. He and his wife, Clara, have traveled extensively - usually to countries tourists are cautioned against entering. "I want to see with my own eyes," says Obninsky. "I don't want someone else interpreting for me."

Victor Obninsky is looking forward to his upcoming presidential term and to seeing his ideas implemented. "But," he quips with a twinkle in his eyes, "my real goal is just not to screw up.