Maryland Bar
Bulletin
Publications :
Bar Bulletin
Editor: W. Patrick Tandy
April, 2004
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Bar
Leaders Gather to Share Views on Legislation |
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By Janet
Stidman Eveleth
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On March 5, local
and specialty bar association leaders from all corners of Maryland
gathered for a “follow-up” Bar Presidents’ Conference at MSBA
headquarters. MSBA President Harry S. Johnson assembled these bar leaders
to enhance communication between MSBA and local and specialty bar
associations and continue the dialogue started last October at the first
Bar Presidents’ Conference in Solomons Island. Legislation was the focal
point of both of these bar leader symposiums.
One of Johnson’s
initiatives as MSBA President this year has been to establish an open
dialogue with local and specialty bar associations. “One of the key things
that we need to continue working on is methods to better communicate with
our members,” states Johnson. “The local and specialty bar presidents are
uniquely situated to be able to inform us of our members’ concerns and to
take information back to their bars about what the MSBA is doing.”
“The fall Bar
President’s Conference is one of our most important bar activities,”
continues Johnson. “By having this follow-up meeting, we are now able to
facilitate continued communication with these bar leaders. Furthermore,
since legislation affects all lawyers, having the meeting focus on the
current legislative session helps these bar leaders keep their members
better informed of events in Annapolis.”
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This was the
thrust of MSBA’s second Bar Presidents’ Conference, held last month.
“I convened this session to advance our open line of communication and
continue our legislative dialogue,” declared Johnson, as he welcomed
the bar leaders. “Today, we will talk about legislation and our
primary areas of concern. We are trying to share information with you
and want you to share it with us. We will continue our dialogue from
October, and [we] want feedback from you so we can create ongoing
communication opportunities.”
After brief
presentations updating the progress of the Maryland Judiciary’s
Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office by Executive Director Rachel
Wohl and the results of the pro bono reporting forms by Pro Bono
Resource Center Executive Director Sharon E. Goldsmith, MSBA Laws
Committee Chair Michael J. Baxter offered an overview of MSBA’s
legislative process. He outlined the role and composition of MSBA’s
Laws Committee which includes broad representation from all facets of
Maryland’s Bar. |
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Harry S. Johnson,
MSBA President |
Baxter then
explained the work of the Committee, which meets every week during the
session, and the organization of MSBA’s legislative program (located on
MSBA’s website - www.msba.org). He encouraged input from all local and
specialty bar association leaders and members. “I have heard from many
members regarding the issues we are addressing, and we find this
information very, very helpful.” He encouraged the leaders to communicate
with the Committee and “help lobby laws.”
MSBA’s Director of
Legislative and Governmental Relations, Richard Montgomery, III, reviewed
MSBA’s legislative structure and process of categorizing MSBA’s various
legislative proposals, especially those that are deemed to be
controversial. Next, he updated the bar leaders on the status of proposed
bills before the 2004 Legislative session.
Johnson then
initiated a dialogue on the issue of contested judicial elections, which
generated a lively discussion from the audience. Representatives from the
five counties where contested elections occurred in the March 2 primary
offered a great deal of insight into the process. A question and answer
session concluded the session.
This conference
succeeded in keeping MSBA abreast of these leaders’ views on key
legislative issues, and it allowed MSBA to communicate its legislative
positions to these key bar leaders. Collectively, Johnson believes “bar
leaders are an effective voice in Annapolis and make a difference in our
legislative process. MSBA’s legislative agenda has been aided by enlisting
these leaders’ support on key legislative proposals of interest to all
Maryland lawyers.”
