“The only thing new in the
world is the history you don’t know.”
- Harry Truman
Arguably the most famous trial in Baltimore history echoed through the halls
of Maryland State Bar Headquarters on November 21, 2007, when Maryland
Bankruptcy Court Judge James Schneider regaled MSBA’s Senior Lawyers Section
during their bi-monthly meeting with the tale of Henry B. Wolf, a renowned
criminal defense lawyer who, under the shroud of conspiracy, was branded
“corrupt” and endlessly fought to clear his name.
Senior Lawyers Section Info.
NO. OF MEMBERS
138
FOUNDED
January 1, 1989
OFFICERS
CHAIR: Victor W. Fuentealba
VICE-CHAIR: John Carroll Weiss, Jr.
SECRETARY: Alber J. Lochte
NEWSLETTER
Pearls of Wisdom
Born in Baltimore on June 16, 1880, Wolf built a formidable law practice by
the turn of the 20th century and served in the U.S. House of Representatives
(MD, 3rd District) from 1907-09. According to Schneider, Wolf was known as a
“chronic thorn to prosecutors” but commended as an “honorable lawyer” and
“model citizen” in the same breath. So in 1922, when the popular attorney
was charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice, the shockwaves rippled
through the burgeoning harbor city. Before anyone (including the accused)
could grasp what was happening, Wolf was tried, convicted and disbarred by
the Supreme Bench (now the Circuit Court) of Baltimore City.
Baltimore Police were hunting for two men accused of a crime, and their
trail led to Wolf’s estate. One of the accused was Wolf’s client and,
according to Schneider, Wolf was within his legal rights to not divulge the
whereabouts of the men. Wolf was then charged on the basis of harboring
fugitives.
He was fined $100 in lieu of jail time; however, the disbarment that was
levied upon Wolf had an everlasting sting. Twice the ousted-attorney
attempted to regain admittance to the bar – to which he was originally
admitted in 1901 – but was denied. Wolf was ultimately vindicated in 1940,
when his third attempt was successful, though he never practiced law again.
He passed away in 1944, yet he lives on as the only attorney in Maryland to
be readmitted after being disbarred – an honor in and of itself.
Though the accusations and trial harkens a sour taste for Wolf’s son, the
Honorable Edwin J. Wolf, who disdainfully referred to it as a “dastardly
scheme,” today Henry Wolf can be remembered for what he truly was.
“He was a brilliant attorney,” fondly remarked Susan Dudley, Henry Wolf’s
granddaughter, at the Senior Lawyers meeting.
***
Just a mere 12 hours before Thanksgiving, positive feelings swirled through
the conference room as the MSBA Senior Lawyers Section praised Dudley for
attending and Judge Schneider for his presentation (he was also promptly
asked for his dues when he let it slip he had just turned 60, a requirement
for joining the Section). Following the thanks, one member stood to address
a serious topic that has appeared in many headlines over the last few weeks.
“Have you all heard of the lawyers in Pakistan?” asked the member, referring
to the 1,500+ Pakistani lawyers arrested after they protested President
Musharraf’s suspension of the country’s national constitution and rule of
law. “It should make us all proud to be lawyers.”
The room of men and women cheered and applauded accordingly. These members
have been practicing law for many years and there is little they have not
experienced in the legal arena; after years of weathering the storm, these
bimonthly meetings offer an opportunity for the members to interact with
their legal colleagues. Guest speakers and a lunch buffet are provided at
every meeting, as well as a jovial atmosphere that offers an escape to
simpler times – one member’s college tuition only cost $400/year. The
group’s stories are rarely doubted, afterall, as one member exclaimed, “It’s
not ‘senile’ - it’s seniors!”
