Maryland State Bar Association Stands with Law Firms
The Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA), as the voice of the legal profession in Maryland, expresses its deep concern and opposition to the recent executive orders imposing restrictions and penalties on law firms based on the nature of their clients. The MSBA firmly believes that lawyers are ethically obligated to represent their clients zealously and competently, regardless of public opinion or political pressure.
Imposing restrictions and penalties on lawyers for performing their ethical and professional duties is not appropriate, and has significant negative implications on the legal system and individuals, including:
Impeding Equal Access to Justice: Penalizing law firms for their pro bono activity creates a chilling effect and reduces the availability of pro bono lawyers and services for vulnerable populations entitled to representation.
Undermining the Right to Counsel: Our Constitution guarantees a right to counsel in criminal matters. These restrictions directly interfere with this constitutional right.
Actions driven by partisan politics erode trust in the judiciary, compromise executive integrity, and threaten the balance of power within our three equal branches of Government—all of which are essential to protecting Constitutional freedoms. Justice must remain fair and impartial, and judicial decisions and executive orders must reflect the rule of law—not political influence or favoritism.
The MSBA remains steadfast in its commitment to defending the rule of law, protecting every citizen’s right to counsel, and ensuring that our justice system operates free from political bias. We stand for fairness, liberty, and equal access to justice for all.