MSBA's 2004 Bar President's Conference a Hit
By Janet Stidman Eveleth

Over 225 bar leaders from all corners of Maryland gathered in Hagerstown on October 14 to participate in the 2004 Bar Presidents’ Conference. Over the course of this three-day event, local and specialty bar presidents and presidents-elect and leaders of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) exchanged ideas, discussed key issues facing the legal profession, shared information and special projects and examined strategies for bar association leadership in today’s legal environment.

Best Project Awards Service to the Public 500+ members: Bar Association of Baltimore City (Brown vs. Board of Education program) Less than 500 members: Asian Pacific American Bar Association (Community Forum) Best Service to Bar Association 500+ members: Baltimore County Bar Association (Take Two Project) Less than 500 members: Black Women’s Bar Association of Suburban Maryland (Reception honoring women judges)

“You are the leaders,” MSBA President Neil Helfrich announced as he opened the conference. “This conference will hone your skills and give you insight into the many challenges we face as bar leaders. Running a bar association is really not that overwhelming – it takes planning and execution, and you do hit homeruns.”

The conference sessions covered everything from the new Peer Review process and the Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Judicial Process Report to providing legal assistance to members and families of the Maryland National Guard. A number of hands-on programs were also offered, including media relations, legislative relations, technology and pro bono. Plus, there were many opportunities for the bar leaders to network and have fun.

Gregg P. Landry, Blue Rock Productions (center) and Ronald Richardson (second from right) honored for their work on MSBA's Living Past President Videotape, with (left to right) Paul V. Carlin, MSBA's Executive Director, Neil Helfrich, MSBA President, and Harry S. Johnson, Immediate Past President.
Christine White (right), Black Women's Bar of Suburban Maryland	Left to right: Mark Scurti, Lois McBride and Ron Lapid, Asian Pacific American Bar
Tom Cardaro (right), Bar Association of Baltimore City	John B. Gontrum (right), Baltimore County Bar Association
And now, we dance!	MSBA President Neil Helfrich addresses the conference
From left to right: The Honorable Richard Sothoron, Jr., MSBA Executive Director Paul V. Carlin, J. Michael Conroy, Jr., and James P. Nolan