The
ABA is Coming to Maryland
By Michelle Stawinski
Frommers® is not alone in selecting Baltimore as
a favorite destination. While Frommers® recently named Baltimore
as one of the top 10 destinations to visit this summer, the ABA Young Lawyer’s
Division (ABA YLD) has selected Baltimore as the site for its October 2006
Conference. Baltimore can thank the diversity of its citizens and the plenitude
of unique attractions for both honors. (We should also thank Chief Judge Robert
M. Bell and Mayor Martin O’Malley for their efforts in highlighting all
of the attributes that the city, the state and attorneys in Maryland will contribute
to a successful conference.) The ABA YLD is planning this Conference around
a diversity theme, making Baltimore an excellent venue.
The ABA YLD holds three conferences each year. During each
conference, approximately 15 hours of CLE courses are offered. Ethics is, of
course, a topic of choice for one or two hours. Beyond that, the CLE courses
center around a theme of importance to members. Currently, the YLD is planning
to provide CLE courses centered on the ways that members can diversify the
profession by shaping the perceptions of individuals who are considering a
legal career. For young Maryland lawyers, this is a great way to participate
in dynamic CLE courses with top-notch instructors at rock-bottom prices. While
the registration fee varies from conference to conference, the registration
fee for the Miami Conference held last month, which included all of the CLE
courses, was $35.
But that’s not all that this Conference offers to MSBA
members. This is an opportunity for us to meet attorneys from across the country
and to make new friends. As with all bar conferences, there will be plenty
of time to socialize and a plethora of organized events to attend. We will
have receptions, hospitality suites, a dinner/dance and planned excursions.
Right now is a good time to mark your calendars for October 19-22, 2006, the
tentative dates for the Conference. Of course, you will be hearing more about
the event as it draws nearer.
The best part is that this is your chance to get in on the
ground floor. While the planning committee – led by MSBA Young Lawyer’s
Section (MSBA YLS) Chair Ruth-Ann Bennett and Planning Committee Chair John
J. Murphy, III – has been hard at work showing off our great state in
order to get Baltimore named as the Conference site, the committee is just
now beginning to plan the social events for the Conference. In order to make
this the memorable conference that is expected, the planning committee will
rely on both the diversity for which Charm City is becoming known and the talents
and generosity of members of the MSBA.
Bearing these attributes in mind, the MSBA YLS needs both
volunteers (not limited to YLS members) and funds (think of the national exposure
your firm can get by sponsoring a social event). Our goal is to raise $100,000
in donations and to obtain as many volunteers as possible. If you are interested
in helping out, please fill out and return the volunteer/sponsor form below.
With your help, we can make the October 2006 ABA YLD Conference an exceptional
event that highlights not only what Maryland has to offer but also that Maryland
attorneys are among the very best in the nation.
Michelle Stawinski, an associate with Bouland & Brush, LLC, is Chair
of the Publications Subcommittee for the 2006 ABA YLD Conference.
