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The Honorable
Simon E. Sobeloff
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In 1952, Simon E. Sobeloff became the first Jewish Judge to
sit on the Maryland Court of Appeals. Later in his career, he was appointed
Solicitor General of the United States, and Associate (later Chief) Judge of
the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Now, Judge Sobeloff
has a law society with his name thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group
of Maryland attorneys. I observed that none of the state or local bar associations
in Maryland provided a forum for those attorneys interested in Jewish issues
and concerns. He discovered that many attorneys were willing to devote their
time to build such an organization. Therefore, the Simon E. Sobeloff Society
was established to provide a social vehicle to network, encourage civility
and build camaraderie among attorneys while celebrating their Jewish heritage
and Jewish values in the law.
In its first year, the Sobeloff Society has gained a paid
membership of 60 attorneys, enabling it to provide some unique programming
and social events. The society’s kickoff event featured former Mideast
Ambassador Dennis Ross speaking of “Current Issues and Events in the
Middle East.” Other programs included
“Maryland Legislation: Is There a Jewish Perspective?” and a “field
trip” to the United States Supreme Court to join the American Association
of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists for the presentation of the “Pursuit of
Justice Award”. Sobeloff members met Justices Stephen Breyer and Ruth
Bader Ginsburg. Noted Supreme Court litigator Nathan Lewin joined the society
for lunch to discuss “Did Ahasuerus’
Court (pre-Haman) grant greater religious freedom than the Rehnquist Court?” For
the first Sobeloff Society Hanukah, members celebrated lighting the menorah
together and conducted the “Best Latke Contest.” Through
these program and events, the Sobeloff Society will serve as a forum for advocating
and educating on those matters of mutual interest to Jewish attorneys. The
group holds monthly
“gatherings” where new and old members may socialize and conduct
society business.
For more information on the Simon E. Sobeloff Law Society,
visit www.sobeloff.org,
or call Brian Barke at (301) 309-8300.
Steven G. Salant serves as a Family Division Master for the Circuit Court
of Montgomery County.
