TAX TALK

Published by the Section of Taxation of the Maryland State Bar Association, Inc.

Robert L. Zouck, Chair · Marilyn E. Nelson, Editor

Robert L. Zouck

I had been involved with state and local taxes for ten or eleven years as Clerk of the Maryland Tax Court when I had my first contact with the Section of Taxation. I was invited to the annual Fellowship Dinner and was surprised and pleased to see so many people that I knew from the Court in a more relaxed setting. I have always enjoyed dealing with attorneys involved with tax litigation in Court, but there I did not have the opportunity to meet these people on a more personal level. We all recognize that tax attorneys, on the whole, are the most intelligent and articulate members of the Bar (I can get away with that statement because only a tax attorney would pick up Tax Talk), but I was also learning that the people being introduced were interesting and of high quality. Based on this very positive introduction, I decided that this was an organization I would like to join.

My initiation in the Taxation Section was as a committee volunteer and, after several years, I was honored with an invitation to become part of the Section Council as a member. On June 9th of this year, at the Annual Meeting, I was again honored and of course very proud to be installed as Chair.

Mary Beth Beattie, our Chair for 1999-2000, has led us through a successful year with many accomplishments. This year, with the help of our Chair-Elect, Robin Denick, our Secretary-Treasurer, Jonathan May, and a cast of exceptionally talented Council Members, we hope to continue the fine tradition of achievement that is expected from the Section of Taxation.

The next issue of Tax Talk will include committee assignments, and there is room for those of you Tax Section members who are interested in taking a more active role.

While our "Thank you" for the past year starts with Mary Beth and extends to the entire Council, special recognition must be awarded to Marilyn Nelson for her devoted commitment as Editor of Tax Talk. This will be her last edition before moving on to share her talents in another leadership position. Her assistance and direction have been a blessing.

Please have a safe and happy Summer.