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| Bar Bulletin |
April,
2003 |
| MSBA News |
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MSBA Annual
Meeting Highlights
by: Janet Stidman Eveleth
In addition to traditional high-quality
education sessions, outstanding social events, a first-rate exposition
show and recreational activities, the 2003 MSBA Annual Meeting, to be held
June 11-14 at the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel in Ocean City,
Maryland, offers members special highlights and celebrity appearances. The
ever-popular Solo Day, on Friday, June 13, will feature well-known trial
lawyer Johnnie Cochran. Current ABA President-Elect Dennis Archer, former
Detroit Mayor, will put in a special appearance on Saturday during MSBA’s
Business Meeting.
This June, the spotlight falls on Harry S.
Johnson. MSBA will mark a significant milestone on June 14, when he is
installed as the first African-American President of the Maryland State
Bar Association. Archer, who will become the first African-American
President of the American Bar Association this August, will be on hand to
congratulate Johnson, along with MSBA members and other dignitaries
including the Honorable Robert M. Bell, Chief Judge of the Court of
Appeals of Maryland. The Chief Judge will address members at the Business
Meeting, legal awards will be presented and MSBA’s new officers, including
Johnson, will be installed.
“Our 2003 Annual Meeting offers interesting
programs and activities for all MSBA members,” states MSBA Executive
Director Paul V. Carlin. “Every year, without exception, MSBA plans and
hosts an outstanding Annual Meeting which seems to improve each year in
scope, educational programming, networking and social programs. While,
nowadays, it’s hard to get lawyers out of their offices, once they get to
MSBA’s Meeting, there are few regrets. Since there are so many good,
competing educational programs, the difficulty is really choosing which
one to attend.”
One special highlight at this year’s Annual
Meeting is the Solo Day program featuring Johnnie Cochran as the keynote
speaker. Cochran, the lawyer who successfully defended O. J. Simpson, has
practiced law for 40 years and will talk about his experiences in his “A
Lawyer’s Life” presentation, which is also the title of his new book. He
will be available for book signings prior to and immediately following his
presentation scheduled for 12:45 PM to 3:00 PM on Friday, June 13.
MSBA’s Annual Meeting will begin with a
welcoming party featuring “The Rhondels,” sponsored by the Legal
Mutual Liability Insurance Society of Maryland, on Wednesday, June 11,
followed by the annual crab feast at the newly renovated Hooper’s
Restaurant. An array of outstanding CLE sessions are offered by MSBA
Sections on Thursday, covering everything from administrative law
opinions, lawyer assistance, recent criminal law cases and the new pro
bono rules to Internet legal research, civility and quality of life.
Attendees may enjoy MSBA’s elaborate exhibit show on Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday, where 55 legal vendors display the latest services and
products to assist attorneys with their law practices.
Friday’s educational offerings include
government minority contracts IRS challenges, new ADA developments,
dispute resolution, health care law, a real estate update, the new
business and technology case management track and the always entertaining
family law special and children’s hour. Solo Day will present a full day
of programming geared to MSBA’s solo and small firm practitioners. In
addition to Cochran, programs will highlight pro bono, drug court, keeping
good employees and tips on working with juries.
Special social events are also planned
throughout the four-day convention. In addition to the opening party and
crab feast, the elegant President’s Reception will be held Thursday
evening, when MSBA President James P. Nolan and President-Elect Harry S.
Johnson greet MSBA members and their guests. Margaritaville, a pool party
sponsored by Clifton Gunderson, LLP, will follow the reception.
MSBA’s Annual Golf Outing and tennis
tournament are scheduled for Friday afternoon, and attendees can take
advantage sailing and windsurfing everyday. The Annual Meeting is also a
time when many members relax on the beach with their families and visit
and network with their colleagues. MSBA’s Leadership Academy and the
Maryland Bar Foundation will also host gatherings at the Annual Meeting,
and many local bar associations sponsor hospitality suites throughout the
meeting.
MSBA members may register for the Annual
Meeting online and, for their convenience, may handle all details
electronically. The
program is posted on MSBA’s website in its entirety. A program will be
mailed to every MSBA member later this month. Members may direct questions
to MSBA Director of Meetings Wanda Claiborne at (410) 685-7878 or (800)
492-1964, ext. 233, or via e-mail at
wclaiborne@msba.org.
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