Maryland Bar
Bulletin
Publications :
Bar Bulletin
Editor: W. Patrick Tandy
February, 2004
| |
Leadership in Public
Service |
| By M. Teresa Schmiedeler |
As part of the University
of Maryland School of Law “Leadership in Public Service” speakers’ series,
American Bar Association (ABA) President Dennis Archer will address the legal
community on the importance of public service and diversity in the legal
profession from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 25, 2004, in the
Ceremonial Court Room at the University of Maryland School of Law. Archer, who
served as mayor of Detroit and Michigan Supreme Court Justice prior to becoming
the first African-American elected to the ABA’s highest office, will also be
honored for his leadership in public service and commitment to high standards of
professionalism.
The “Leadership in Public
Service” program, created to celebrate the contributions of leaders in public
service and inspire law students, as future leaders in the legal profession, to
become more involved in making a real difference in their communities, was
launched on November 18, 2003, with Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA)
President Harry S. Johnson as the guest speaker and recipient of the University
of Maryland School of Law’s “Leadership in Public Service” award. The first
African-American to serve as MSBA President, Johnson addressed the legal
community’s professional responsibility to public service. Johnson also
acknowledged the student leaders of the Maryland Public Interest Law Project,
Inc., (MPILP) at the University of Maryland School of Law for their commitment
to public service and applauded their efforts in raising funds to support a
summer public interest grant program for law students working in public interest
organizations.
The student-run MPILP
will celebrate its 15th anniversary
on March 13, 2004, with its annual “Goods & Services Auction” held at the
University of Maryland School of Law. The students’ efforts receive financial
support from various sources, including the Maryland Legal Services Corporation,
the Cardin family, local law firms, the Baltimore Chapter of the Association of
Corporate Counsel, individual attorneys, public interest organizations, business
leaders and the law school faculty and staff.
“With the support of the
legal and business community, we can make it possible for law students to afford
to work at the Legal Aid Bureau, Public Justice Center, Homeless Persons
Representation Project and many other local and national public interest
organizations and ultimately help others in need gain equal access to justice,”
says Peter Coleman, a third-year law student at the University of Maryland
School of Law and one of the many dedicated student leaders of MPILP. “We
believe all citizens benefit from efforts that encourage law students to help
those individuals and communities that can not afford legal assistance.”
Through progressive
initiatives like the “Leadership in Public Service” program, the University of
Maryland School of Law hopes to continue inspiring law students to make a
positive difference by recognizing the challenges that face our communities and
the benefits of public service. As the present and future leaders of the legal
profession, Archer, Johnson and the many student volunteers of MPILP illuminate
the many ways in which it is possible to reach for the highest standards of
professionalism while making a real difference.
