| Bar Bulletin |
June,
2003 |
| MSBA News |
|
Legal Community
Gathers For Annual Conference
By
Janet Stidman Eveleth
On May 14, over 250
attorneys, legal services providers, judges, elected officials and others
in the legal services community gathered at the 5th Annual
Maryland Legal Services Partnership Conference at the Radisson Plaza Hotel
in Baltimore to
examine issues related to the delivery of legal services to Maryland’s
poor. This day-long conference, sponsored by the Pro Bono Resource Center
(PBRC) of Maryland, attracted the largest attendance to date; most
counties in the state were represented. The Maryland State Bar Association
(MSBA) was one of the co-sponsors.
“Today’s theme is
partnership,” declared PBRC President Mark Scurti as he welcomed the
audience. “Maryland’s
legal services delivery system is unique and effective because of the
collaborative partnership our state’s legal services community has
developed. Today’s conference fosters this partnership as we share ideas
and work together to prepare for the future challenges that await us.”
“Many challenges
face Maryland’s
poor,” Scurti continued. “Our legal services community needs a strong
alliance to garner its full potential to meet these growing needs. Today,
we will share ideas and work together so that we can collectively move
forward.” Scurti thanked MSBA for its ongoing support of the legal
services community.
“MSBA is a partner
in the pro bono effort to provide equal access to all Marylanders,”
proclaimed MSBA President James P. Nolan. “Our members stand for
professionalism. Public service is an essential part of being a
professional lawyer. MSBA’s members volunteer for a great deal of pro bono
work. Thousands and thousands of lawyers in Maryland devote
thousands and thousands of hours to pro bono service every year.
“Across the
country,
Maryland is a leader in the area of pro bono service,” added Nolan. “Law
is a profession. It is important for lawyers to give back. Our rule of law
is the glue that holds our country together. It must serve all citizens
equally.” He thanked the audience for their “efforts to pursue equal
access to justice for all.”
Chief Judge Robert
M. Bell, Court of Appeals of Maryland, echoed these
accolades, thanking the attendees for their commitment to legal services.
He also thanked MSBA for its continuing support of and leadership in the
legal services community and recognized PBRC for its contributions to pro
bono service in Maryland.
Bell also
acknowledged the presence of Jervis Finney, the Governor’s Legal Counsel.
“This sends a clear message that the Executive branch of Maryland’s
government is an advocate of legal services,” said Bell.
“We have another strong partnership in our collaborative effort to meet
the legal needs of Maryland’s poor.”
The rest of the
conference was devoted to topical workshops, focusing on everything from
legislation, significant developments in the law for public interest
lawyers, juvenile justice, homeland security and the criminal justice
system to child custody, income support policies, language interpreters,
the judicial view and pro bono service. At lunch, Nkechi Taifa, Senior
Policy Analyst for Criminal and Civil Justice Reform for the Open Society
Institute, offered a thought-provoking address on the barriers the
incarcerated face when re-entering society.
In light of the new
pro bono rules, a great attention was given to the formation of local pro
bono committees, pro bono reporting and attorney options for pro bono
service. “This year, we welcomed a large number of representatives from
local pro bono committees across the state,” declared PBRC Executive
Director Sharon E. Goldsmith. “This was the first time a broader group
within the legal community participated in our conference, as many private
attorneys, government attorneys and public defenders offered their
perspective.”
“It was an
extremely successfully conference,” proclaimed Goldsmith. “People walked
away with a new sense of purpose. We brought everyone together so they
could learn from one another, share ideas and expose themselves to new
issues and concepts as the legal services community moves forward.”
