TAX TALK

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

· Robert L. Zouck, Chair ·  
Bryan W. Young, Editor, Stephanie Ketchum, Asst. Editor

From The Chair
Robin Williams Denick

As the new Chair, it is both a pleasure and an honor to write this message to you, fellow members of the Section of Taxation. I am delighted to have on board a talented cadre of energetic and enthusiastic officers, committee chairs and vice-chairs, as well as past Chairs in an advisory capacity. In starting off the new year, I would be remiss without extending a hearty thank you to my predecessor, Robert Zouck, who led us with grace and humor last year. Indeed, with all the distinguished individuals who have held the position of Chair, I know I have a tough act to follow!

Members of your Tax Section Council have been engaged in planning sessions over the summer and the 2001-2002 year promises to be a productive one. Traditions such as working closely with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service in sponsoring the Earned Income Tax Credit Clinic project and with Maryland Institute for the Continuing Education of Lawyers (MICPEL) in presenting programs to enhance your skills will continue. However, we will also institute some new traditions, such as the upcoming Tax Professionals Networking Night (see infra in this issue). I encourage you to contact any member of the Council (see Directory infra) with your suggestions of what should be added to the Tax Section’s agenda for the coming year. Meeting members’ needs and desires is important to the Tax Section Council as we are anxious to add value to your membership.

The section council is committed to involving younger lawyers in our activities, along with more experienced attorneys who have not participated previously. We all are confronted with the heavy demands of practicing law, from heightened client expectations to the pressure to bill more hours and keep up with changes in the law and technology. Yet, despite a small time commitment, participating in section activities and events is a worthwhile way to network and experience some of that old-fashioned collegiality that is sorely missing from our day-to-day forays.

Do attend some of the programs that will be co-sponsored by the Tax Section and MICPEL, including the Advanced Tax Institute in November, meet and mingle with your fellow tax practitioners at the upcoming Tax Professionals Networking Night in October, or lend your skills and knowledge in helping others less fortunate at one of the Tax Clinics in February 2002. Plan to make an investment in your future that will pay long-term dividends. The training you will receive and connections that you will make through your participation in the Tax Section will enable you to better address the issues you encounter in your tax practice.

For those of you who supervise younger tax attorneys, encourage them to join the Section of Taxation and participate in some section activities this year—make it a part of meeting their professional development goals. For those of you who are established in your career and the leaders of our profession, renew your membership and show your commitment by attending some of the upcoming activities with your younger colleagues. You will not regret it. I personally am thankful to my employers, past and present, as well as fellow tax practitioners, who encouraged my involvement with the Tax Section. Some of the most rewarding moments of my professional career have occurred in interacting with my bar association colleagues and fellow Tax Section Council members.

Whether you attend an event or seminar, volunteer for one of the section’s projects, or sign up to join a committee, all of us on the Tax Section Council welcome your participation. We also encourage those tax lawyers who work in non-traditional settings, such as government, large accounting firms, and corporate counsel offices (just to name a few) to become involved. All of us look forward to meeting new members and continuing our relationships with current members throughout the coming year. Have a great fall!