Board Of Governors
Board Of Governors : Minutes : November 20, 2001

BOARD OF GOVERNORS
MARYLAND STATE BAR ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
520 WEST FAYETTE STREET
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
BAR HEADQUARTERS CONFERENCE ROOM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2001
5:25 P.M.

The Board of Governors of the Maryland State Bar Association met at the location, date and time indicated above. There were_26 members of the Board of Governors present, including all of the officers. In addition, Paul Carlin, Executive Director, and key members of his staff, were in attendance.

President Pamela J. White called the meeting to order at approximately 5:25 p.m.

The Minutes of the Board of Governors meeting of October 26, 2001, were read and approved with friendly amendments to the Second Paragraph, Section 3. f. and Section 5.

To the Second Paragraph was added: At the conclusion of the presentation, Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, on the invitation of the President, announced the creation of the Court’s Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Judicial Process, chaired by Judge Dale Cathell, with two Vice Chairs, Federal Magistrate Judge Charles Day and Deputy Attorney General Carmen Shepard.

To Section 3.f. was added: She noted a letter from Patrick K. Arey, Esquire, Immediate Past Chair of the State and Local Government Law Section of the ABA, discussing a Binder relating to "probate and other related procedures for Maryland to assist lawyers providing assistance to victims of terrorist attacks" and commended MSBA members for their pro bono service to produce the Binder.

To Section 5 was added: He reported that the MSBA appointees to the Program Committee are:

Honorable G. "Bill" Connelly

Richard F. "Rick" Lindstrom, Esquire

Lois A. Fenner McBride, Esquire

Honorable Theresa A. Nolan

William D. "Bill" Roessler, Esquire

Honorable Julia B. Weatherly

With the above Amendments, the Minutes of the Board of Governors meeting of October 26, 2001, were approved.

1. Pamela J. White gave the President’s Report.

a. She reported that there were 220 attendees at the MSBA Bar President’s Conference. By all accounts, it was an outstanding program and well received by the attendees. The dinner speaker was enjoyable. She extended her personal thanks and the thanks of the MSBA to Congressman, Robert Ehrlich, and Professor Tricia D. O’Neill, for their valuable contributions to the Conference. She further noted that 18 separate members of the BOG had commented during the discussion period relating to the Retrospective Report on Gender Equality.

b. She noted that The Daily Record had published an Article on October 30, 2001 on the Retrospective Report on Gender Equality and the manner in which the State Courts and the MSBA plan to cope with bias, in all its forms; she reviewed an article in The Capital wherein critics charge that the Attorney Grievance Commission is lenient on other lawyers; she discussed a letter from Robert E. Hirshon, Esquire, President of the ABA, thanking her and the MSBA for joining with the ABA in a coordinated national effort to help reservists and their families receive the legal assistance that they need.

c. She discussed a letter to all Local and Specialty Bar Presidents concerning the Mid-Year meeting in Las Vegas. The letter sets out some of the anticipated programs and some of the exciting activities that are either planned or available.

d. She discussed a letter from Steven T. Walther, Esquire, Chair of the ABA Center for Human Rights. The Board of Governors referred the letter to the International Law Committee of the Business Law Section of the MSBA.

She noted a fax from Robert E. Hirshon, Esquire, President of the ABA, expressing the ABA’s concern with the U.S. Justice Department’s newly released administrative rules that would permit the government to listen in on conversations between lawyers and clients in federal custody.

She noted the e-mail From David C. Merkin, Esquire on the same subject. These materials were forwarded to the MSBA Criminal Law Section for review.

She provided to the Board of Governors, for information purposes, correspondence from members of Congress, including Attorney General John Ashcroft, concerning the appointment of a Special Master to review claims filed by victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

e. She discussed a letter that was sent to all County Specialty Bar Associations concerning the IOLTA Honor Roll Program and the significant differences in the interest rates paid on IOLTA accounts. The letter requests the Bar Presidents to encourage their members to approach their banks about paying reasonable interest rates on the IOLTA account of at least 2%. She requested each of the members of the Board of Governors to give their personal support to this program and further, to personally contact the banks with which they do business and request them to join the Honor Roll Program.

f. The Board of Governors considered the issue of a Resolution of Press Release supporting sitting Judges in Montgomery County. After discussion, it was moved, seconded and unanimously approved that the Board of Governors support the sitting Judges in Montgomery County and issue a Press Release accordingly.

g. As a result of various requests for nominations for various awards, the President appointed a BOG Committee to review the requests and, where appropriate, to recommend nominations. Members appointed were:

M. Teresa Beck, Esquire,

David Harvis, Esquire

Thomas Murphy, Esquire

Arthur Schneider, Esquire

h. The Board reviewed an Article in the Towson Times by Lou Panos concerning Judge A. Gordon Boone’s application to be considered for appointment to the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. The story indicates that Judge Boone mailed his application timely, the application was received timely in the appropriate Court building in Annapolis, but it would not be considered because the application was not placed on the desk of the appropriate person in a timely manner.

i. She reported that she has attended a variety of meetings, ceremonies and events as a representative of the MSBA, including: Women’s Law Centers Awards Program, the J. Franklin Bourne Awards and Scholarships Program, the Young Lawyers Novemberfest, the BABC Gender Issues Committee Meeting with Judge Battaglia as Chairperson, the Solo and Small Firm Conference, the Worcester County Bar Association’s Autumn Classic in Ocean City, a MICPEL Executive Committee meeting, with Judge Bell and Judge Battaglia on a Professionalism Course, and the Queen Anne’s County Second Judicial Circuit Dinner Meeting, and a meeting of the Pro Bono Resource Center Board.

j. She noted a Thank You from the Lombardi Cancer Center for the MSBA’s donation in memory of MSBA Past-President, the Honorable James C. Chapin.

2. Paul Carlin gave the Executive Director’s Report.

a. He reported that the total MSBA membership count as of the date of November 20, 2001, was 19,461 after accounting for 16 resignations, 3 deceased members, and 1 dropped member.

The Board approved the resignations noted in the Executive Directors Report. He also noted that 11 law students, 8 Paralegals and 1 Law Firm Administrator had applied for Associate Membership in the MSBA.

b. He indicated that the new application form for the Associate Membership category in the MSBA had been placed in the mailbox of 1800 UM and UB law students and that copies of the same had been mailed to all law firm administrators in the Association of Legal Administrators and all members of the Maryland Paralegal Association. He further noted that in excess of 900 people had passed the recent Bar Examination.

c. He reported that there is a somewhat unique arrangement with the University of Maryland School of Law for improvements to the Maryland Bar Center and that the MSBA’s annual contribution for capital repairs will be $25,000.00.

d. He reported that he had located the picture of the original Dodo Award presentation. The Board suggested that the picture be replicated and that a copy be sent to Judge James C. Chapin’s wife.

e. He exhibited to the Board the new conference call brochure that explains how the audio conferencing works, as well as the added enhancements to make the service more useful.

3. Report of the Secretary.

a. It was reported that the Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting on November 13, 2001, are substantially contained within the Agenda of this meeting.

4. Harry Johnson gave the Treasurer’s Report.

a. He reported the following for the MSBA as of October 31, 2001: total dues income of $2,137,530.00. He also noted total expenses of $939,054.00, leaving unexpended funds of $1,426,206.00. He also reported that dues income represented approximately 94.3% of the MSBA budget to date, while the total dues are 94.6% of the MSBA budgeted amount.

5. Unfinished Business and General Orders.

a. The President noted the campaign for funding for the Legal Aid Bureau by the Equal Justice Council and asked the BOG to support them by checking block 54 on the Contribution to the United Way Form and to consider them for donations over and above the United Way for a tax deductible donation.

6. New Business.

a. The Board unanimously adopted the Rules for Nomination for Officers which will be done at the December 18, 2001 meeting at the State House in Annapolis. The Rules established are that uncontested races may have one nominator who may speak a maximum of five minutes on behalf of the candidate. In contested races, each candidate may have two nominators/speakers who may speak a maximum of five minutes each.

7. Announcements.

a. It was reported by Brian Zemil, Esquire, that "Novemberfest," which was held on Saturday, November 3, 2001, was a tremendous success. The "Novemberfest" raised a large amount of money to support the Lake Clifton-Eastern High School-Law Related Education Program (the Law Academy).

b. The Prince George’s County Bar Association will celebrate its 100th Anniversary on May 17, 2002 at the Mount Airy Plantation.

c. It was reported that Robert Dyer would be honored at a reception held at the University of Baltimore School of Law on December 13, 2001, at 4:30 p.m. A scholarship named after him to attend MICPEL courses will be announced.

There being no further business to come before the Board of Governors, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cornelius D. Helfrich

Secretary

The Board of Governors of the Maryland State Bar Association met at the location, date and time indicated above. There were_26 members of the Board of Governors present, including all of the officers. In addition, Paul Carlin, Executive Director, and key members of his staff, were in attendance.

President Pamela J. White called the meeting to order at approximately 5:25 p.m.

The Minutes of the Board of Governors meeting of October 26, 2001, were read and approved with friendly amendments to the Second Paragraph, Section 3. f. and Section 5.

To the Second Paragraph was added: At the conclusion of the presentation, Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, on the invitation of the President, announced the creation of the Court’s Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Judicial Process, chaired by Judge Dale Cathell, with two Vice Chairs, Federal Magistrate Judge Charles Day and Deputy Attorney General Carmen Shepard.

To Section 3.f. was added: She noted a letter from Patrick K. Arey, Esquire, Immediate Past Chair of the State and Local Government Law Section of the ABA, discussing a Binder relating to "probate and other related procedures for Maryland to assist lawyers providing assistance to victims of terrorist attacks" and commended MSBA members for their pro bono service to produce the Binder.

To Section 5 was added: He reported that the MSBA appointees to the Program Committee are:

  • Honorable G. "Bill" Connelly

  • Richard F. "Rick" Lindstrom, Esquire

  • Lois A. Fenner McBride, Esquire

  • Honorable Theresa A. Nolan

  • William D. "Bill" Roessler, Esquire

  • Honorable Julia B. Weatherly

With the above Amendments, the Minutes of the Board of Governors meeting of October 26, 2001, were approved.

1. Pamela J. White gave the President’s Report.

a. She reported that there were 220 attendees at the MSBA Bar President’s Conference. By all accounts, it was an outstanding program and well received by the attendees. The dinner speaker was enjoyable. She extended her personal thanks and the thanks of the MSBA to Congressman, Robert Ehrlich, and Professor Tricia D. O’Neill, for their valuable contributions to the Conference. She further noted that 18 separate members of the BOG had commented during the discussion period relating to the Retrospective Report on Gender Equality.

b. She noted that The Daily Record had published an Article on October 30, 2001 on the Retrospective Report on Gender Equality and the manner in which the State Courts and the MSBA plan to cope with bias, in all its forms; she reviewed an article in The Capital wherein critics charge that the Attorney Grievance Commission is lenient on other lawyers; she discussed a letter from Robert E. Hirshon, Esquire, President of the ABA, thanking her and the MSBA for joining with the ABA in a coordinated national effort to help reservists and their families receive the legal assistance that they need.

c. She discussed a letter to all Local and Specialty Bar Presidents concerning the Mid-Year meeting in Las Vegas. The letter sets out some of the anticipated programs and some of the exciting activities that are either planned or available.

d. She discussed a letter from Steven T. Walther, Esquire, Chair of the ABA Center for Human Rights. The Board of Governors referred the letter to the International Law Committee of the Business Law Section of the MSBA.

She noted a fax from Robert E. Hirshon, Esquire, President of the ABA, expressing the ABA’s concern with the U.S. Justice Department’s newly released administrative rules that would permit the government to listen in on conversations between lawyers and clients in federal custody.

She noted the e-mail From David C. Merkin, Esquire on the same subject. These materials were forwarded to the MSBA Criminal Law Section for review.

She provided to the Board of Governors, for information purposes, correspondence from members of Congress, including Attorney General John Ashcroft, concerning the appointment of a Special Master to review claims filed by victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

e. She discussed a letter that was sent to all County Specialty Bar Associations concerning the IOLTA Honor Roll Program and the significant differences in the interest rates paid on IOLTA accounts. The letter requests the Bar Presidents to encourage their members to approach their banks about paying reasonable interest rates on the IOLTA account of at least 2%. She requested each of the members of the Board of Governors to give their personal support to this program and further, to personally contact the banks with which they do business and request them to join the Honor Roll Program.

f. The Board of Governors considered the issue of a Resolution of Press Release supporting sitting Judges in Montgomery County. After discussion, it was moved, seconded and unanimously approved that the Board of Governors support the sitting Judges in Montgomery County and issue a Press Release accordingly.

g. As a result of various requests for nominations for various awards, the President appointed a BOG Committee to review the requests and, where appropriate, to recommend nominations. Members appointed were:

M. Teresa Beck, Esquire
David Harvis, Esquire
Thomas Murphy, Esquire
Arthur Schneider, Esquire

h. The Board reviewed an Article in the Towson Times by Lou Panos concerning Judge A. Gordon Boone’s application to be considered for appointment to the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. The story indicates that Judge Boone mailed his application timely, the application was received timely in the appropriate Court building in Annapolis, but it would not be considered because the application was not placed on the desk of the appropriate person in a timely manner.

i. She reported that she has attended a variety of meetings, ceremonies and events as a representative of the MSBA, including: Women’s Law Centers Awards Program, the J. Franklin Bourne Awards and Scholarships Program, the Young Lawyers Novemberfest, the BABC Gender Issues Committee Meeting with Judge Battaglia as Chairperson, the Solo and Small Firm Conference, the Worcester County Bar Association’s Autumn Classic in Ocean City, a MICPEL Executive Committee meeting, with Judge Bell and Judge Battaglia on a Professionalism Course, and the Queen Anne’s County Second Judicial Circuit Dinner Meeting, and a meeting of the Pro Bono Resource Center Board.

j. She noted a Thank You from the Lombardi Cancer Center for the MSBA’s donation in memory of MSBA Past-President, the Honorable James C. Chapin.

2. Paul Carlin gave the Executive Director’s Report.

a. He reported that the total MSBA membership count as of the date of November 20, 2001, was 19,461 after accounting for 16 resignations, 3 deceased members, and 1 dropped member.

The Board approved the resignations noted in the Executive Directors Report. He also noted that 11 law students, 8 Paralegals and 1 Law Firm Administrator had applied for Associate Membership in the MSBA.

b. He indicated that the new application form for the Associate Membership category in the MSBA had been placed in the mailbox of 1800 UM and UB law students and that copies of the same had been mailed to all law firm administrators in the Association of Legal Administrators and all members of the Maryland Paralegal Association. He further noted that in excess of 900 people had passed the recent Bar Examination.

c. He reported that there is a somewhat unique arrangement with the University of Maryland School of Law for improvements to the Maryland Bar Center and that the MSBA’s annual contribution for capital repairs will be $25,000.00.

d. He reported that he had located the picture of the original Dodo Award presentation. The Board suggested that the picture be replicated and that a copy be sent to Judge James C. Chapin’s wife.

e. He exhibited to the Board the new conference call brochure that explains how the audio conferencing works, as well as the added enhancements to make the service more useful.

3. Report of the Secretary.

a. It was reported that the Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting on November 13, 2001, are substantially contained within the Agenda of this meeting.

4. Harry Johnson gave the Treasurer’s Report.

a. He reported the following for the MSBA as of October 31, 2001: total dues income of $2,137,530.00. He also noted total expenses of $939,054.00, leaving unexpended funds of $1,426,206.00. He also reported that dues income represented approximately 94.3% of the MSBA budget to date, while the total dues are 94.6% of the MSBA budgeted amount.

5. Unfinished Business and General Orders.

a. The President noted the campaign for funding for the Legal Aid Bureau by the Equal Justice Council and asked the BOG to support them by checking block 54 on the Contribution to the United Way Form and to consider them for donations over and above the United Way for a tax deductible donation.

6. New Business.

a. The Board unanimously adopted the Rules for Nomination for Officers which will be done at the December 18, 2001 meeting at the State House in Annapolis. The Rules established are that uncontested races may have one nominator who may speak a maximum of five minutes on behalf of the candidate. In contested races, each candidate may have two nominators/speakers who may speak a maximum of five minutes each.

7. Announcements.

a. It was reported by Brian Zemil, Esquire, that "Novemberfest," which was held on Saturday, November 3, 2001, was a tremendous success. The "Novemberfest" raised a large amount of money to support the Lake Clifton-Eastern High School-Law Related Education Program (the Law Academy).

b. The Prince George’s County Bar Association will celebrate its 100th Anniversary on May 17, 2002 at the Mount Airy Plantation.

c. It was reported that Robert Dyer would be honored at a reception held at the University of Baltimore School of Law on December 13, 2001, at 4:30 p.m. A scholarship named after him to attend MICPEL courses will be announced.

There being no further business to come before the Board of Governors, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cornelius D. Helfrich
Secretary

Board Of Governors : Minutes : November 20, 2001