Partnership Between University of Baltimore
School of Law Administrative Class and
MSBA Administrative Law Section

The University of Baltimore School of Law is one of a handful of law schools in the country that offer a separate course on state administrative law. While UB School of Law offers the traditional administrative law course offered at every law school that focuses on the administrative process at the federal level, UB also offers its students (and students from the University of Maryland School of Law) a course that focuses on administrative practice before agencies of the Maryland state government.

The Maryland Administrative Law course has been from its very beginning a cooperative effort between Professor Arnold Rochvarg, the administrative law judges at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), and the Maryland State Bar Association Section of Administrative Law, whose membership consists of administrative law judges, government attorneys, judges from all levels of the Maryland judiciary and lawyers in private practice who regularly represent clients before OAH and Maryland state agencies. The concept of a Maryland Administrative Law course began when former OAH Chief Judge John Hardwicke invited Professor Rochvarg to tour the new OAH headquarters in Hunt Valley. Chief Judge Hardwicke impressed upon the professor the important differences in administrative practice in Maryland agencies compared to federal agencies as a result of the adoption in Maryland of a centralized hearing office (OAH). Chief Judge Hardwicke also lamented that too many lawyers were unfamiliar with the new administrative adjudicatory process in Maryland. His suggestion was that UB offer a course in Maryland Administrative Law.

With Chief Judge Hardwicke’s pledge to be of help, Professor Rochvarg embarked on developing such a course. Because there was no book, Professor Rochvarg had to develop his own materials for the course. Most importantly, Professor Rochvarg called upon administrative law judges from OAH, attorneys from the Office of the Attorney General and judges to teach various classes and to discuss with his students what the practice of administrative law in Maryland entailed. The course covered not only the process of administrative law but also some of the more popular substantive areas such as special education, drunk driving, mental health and professional licensing. The course also critically examined the Maryland administrative process to identify areas for law reform.

The course has changed with each new year. More cases interpreting the Maryland Administrative Precedence Act were decided leading to more reading for the students. There was increased interest among the students leading to higher enrollment and increased interest among members of the bar leading to increased requests to serve as a guest lecturer. Last year, in conjunction with MICPEL, Professor Rochvarg published his treatise on Maryland Administrative Law, which is now the standard text for the course.

Last year, a new component was added to the partnership between UB’s Maryland Administrative Law course and the practicing bar. A joint luncheon was held among the MSBA Administrative Law Section, the Maryland Association of Administrative Adjudicators (MAAA) and students in the course. During the luncheon, the students rotated from one table to the next, which allowed them to interact with attorneys and judges who practice administrative law. Because the event was so well-received last year by both the students and the attorneys, the second “annual” luncheon was held this year. As well as the traditional networking opportunities that the luncheon provided, a “shadowing” program was started. Under this program, each student was paired with an attorney and offered the opportunity to spend the day with that attorney. Two students immediately took the opportunity to “shadow” Judge Harrell of the Court of Appeals. They enjoyed not only learning about administrative law from Judge Harrell, an active member of the MSBA Administrative Law Section; they also enjoyed a private tour of his chambers. Next academic year, the shadowing program will be expanded. All students in the Maryland Administrative Law class will be required to spend at least one day shadowing a judge or practicing attorney, and reporting to the class his or her experience.

The success of the Maryland Administrative Law course has been based on the partnership of the UB School of Law and the practicing bar, especially the MSBA Administrative Law Section. The students, attorneys and judges have all had very positive experiences learning together about administrative law in Maryland. This partnership serves as a wonderful model for the integration of the practicing bar into legal education.

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Publications : Bar Bulletin: July, 2003