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| Bar Bulletin |
August,
2003 |
| MSBA News |
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MSBA President,
Membership Committee and Young Lawyers Section Welcome New Admittees
By J.J. Branch
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On June 18, 2003,
297 new candidates were admitted to the Maryland Bar in the
swearing-in ceremony at the Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building
in Annapolis, Maryland.
MSBA Young Lawyers
Section members Heather Crenshaw, Matt Evans, Steve Oberg, C.
Sei-Hee-Arii and Hughie Hunt were an enthusiastic welcoming group. |
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YLS volunteers Heather Crenshaw, Steve Oberg and
Matt Evans prepare to welcome new admits. |
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Amongst the
digital cameras, camcorders, parents, grandparents, siblings and
friends, the volunteers were the first to offer handshakes and
congratulations to the new Maryland lawyers and distribute copies of
the Maryland Lawyers’ Manual and MSBA membership information.
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| New admits wait in line
for their turn to sign the permanent ceremony record |
Along with Chief
Judge Robert Bell, Court of Appeals, judges Irma Raker, John Eldridge,
Alan Wilner and Dale Cathell responded to the motions for admissions. For
each ceremony, a distinguished member of the bar is chosen to make
introductory remarks and to move the admission of candidates who have been
recommended by the Maryland Board of Law Examiners. This year, it was
newly-installed MSBA president Harry Johnson who was asked to perform that
role for about 75 of the candidates. Judge Irma Raker, in her response for
the Court, noted that the Court is looking forward to the administration
of MSBA President Harry Johnson, the first African-American President in
the history of the MSBA. She thought it appropriate to look back in the
history of the state of Maryland and to recognize Johnson in the tradition
of another Maryland trailblazer, Margaret Brent, the first woman to
practice law in North America and a Maryland attorney. “Though times have
changed since the colonial era of Margaret Brent, the characteristics of
integrity, industry, courage and community service exemplified by Margaret
Brent remain hallmarks of the complete lawyer.”
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In his response,
Judge Alan Wilner reminded the new lawyers of the proud history and
tradition of the bar and that they have become a part of the future of
the legal profession with a responsibility of not only preserving the
heritage and legacy but enhancing it. “I want the candidates to
remember that they really can make a difference, to always be aware of
their responsibility, and make contributions to help the community,”
he said. |
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YLS member C. Sei-Hee-Arii distributes information
about the MSBA with YLS member Heather Crenshaw |
Judge John Eldridge
has participated in the ceremonies since June 197, and since that time has
missed only two new-admit ceremonies. “I think that what the judges have
to say to the candidates is inspiring,” he said.
Judge Dale Cathell
gave a message of inspiration and a reminder to the new admits that they
are the essence of their parents’ dreams. “The dreams of your parents, the
visage of captains and kings, without whose essence none of you would be
here today; the essence of those who have loved and those who have helped
– much is expected,” he said. “Honesty, competency, proper ethics,
reasoned judgment, fairness, civility; all of these things the world will
expect of you. The demanding duty to combat intolerance and the duty to
guard against abuses of power.”
Judge Cathell
referred to a speech given by the late Robert Sweeney, then-Chief Judge of
Maryland’s District Court, at the graduation ceremonies of a local law
school as he reflected about the dedication of the Memorial to Holocaust
victims. Inspired by his words, Judge Cathell implored the new admits to
speak out even when afraid to do so. “Fear is what gives context to
courage,” he said. “Real courage cannot exist without it. Overcome your
fears-when you do you will be on your way to joining the legions of great
lawyers this state has produced.”
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