As I reflect on my first 100 days as President of the Maryland State Bar Association, I am profoundly encouraged by the determination and engagement I have witnessed within our membership and leadership. This organization, built on a foundation of professionalism, service, and access to justice, is moving forward on every front of our annual initiatives with focus and resolve.
The goals we set for the 2025–2026 Bar Year are ambitious: strengthening the rule of law, promoting civility and leadership, advancing legal technology, engaging in strategic planning, and reaching out to Big Law and corporate in-house. I am pleased to provide you with an update on the meaningful progress made in advancing each of these pillars during this first quarter.
Upholding and Advancing the Rule of Law
At the heart of our association’s mission is a steadfast commitment to upholding and advancing the rule of law. This bar year, MSBA is dedicated to ensuring our legal system operates with integrity and independence, helping every Marylander appreciate the vital role of lawyers and judges in safeguarding our democracy.
I am proud to share that this commitment has been demonstrated in concrete actions. Most recently, MSBA submitted a trial-stage amicus brief in U.S. v. Russell, underscoring our principled advocacy for a fair and impartial justice system and the integrity of the courts.
We are likewise continuing the vital work of the Innovations in Tiered Legal Services Task Force, co-chaired by Hon. Angela M. Eaves, Maryland Supreme Court Justice, M. Natalie McSherry, Former President of the Maryland State Bar Association, and Reena K. Shah, Executive Director of the Maryland Access to Justice Commission, to expand practical, ethical pathways for Marylanders to obtain timely legal help—an effort squarely aimed at advancing access to justice. This initiative not only educates but also galvanizes the bar around its core responsibilities, ensuring that our collective voice remains strong and principled.
Promoting Civility and Leadership
One of my administration’s critical priorities is to promote civility and professional integrity within Maryland’s legal community. We recognize that civility extends beyond politeness: it is a strategic imperative that underpins effective and respectful advocacy, facilitates constructive dialogue, and fosters mutual trust.
We continue to deliver high-quality continuing legal education, and we have increased our focus on adding courses in ethics, leadership development, and skills workshops. The "Anatomy of a Trial" workshop and similar programs underscore our commitment to equipping members with essential soft skills and technical skills for success in modern legal practice.
Further, the MSBA Leadership Academy has begun its next cohort, equipping emerging leaders with skills essential for innovation, ethical leadership, and managing the complexities of modern legal practice. Early feedback confirms that participants value the opportunity to develop their capacity to serve effectively, both within their firms and the larger legal community.
We are also honored to acknowledge the generous donation to the Board of Governors of a gavel from the extensive collection of MSBA Attorney member Richard Shermanski. This gavel will be used at every Board of Governors meeting and passed on to each successive MSBA President year over year, symbolizing our commitment to civility and orderly deliberation.
Finally, stay tuned to the MSBA President’s Corner articles, “Stay Committed to Leading in the Face of Civility Challenges” and “Reaffirming the Lawyer’s Role in Civil Discourse.” We hope to provide essential guidance and thought leadership, reinforcing our commitment to civility and confidentiality, through those blogs.
Fostering Inclusion and Community Engagement.
This year, we successfully added large firm members to key committees, such as CLE, Advocacy, and Strategic Planning, enhancing diversity in membership representation. We’re circulating a stakeholder survey to gather input, fostering community engagement, and ensuring diverse perspectives are considered in our strategic planning. We are pursuing a collaboration with the University of Baltimore School of Law that aims to enhance community and legal engagement through Rule of Law webinars. Additionally, we’re exploring opportunities to collaborate with the Maryland Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, encouraging broader community engagement. The ongoing Innovations in Tiered Legal Services Task Force focuses on advancing access to justice, benefiting underrepresented communities, and fostering inclusivity.
Furthermore, we launched initiatives to foster connections among solo practitioners, small firms, and corporate counsel alike. Our Solo & Small Firm Symposium brings this segment together to learn and network. In addition, our Managing Partner group is hosting round tables that allow for the open exchange of ideas between leaders of Maryland’s largest firms. This holistic approach ensures that MSBA serves as a unified voice that represents the entire legal community.
Embracing Legal Technology and Innovation
The accelerating pace of technological change presents both opportunities and ethical questions for the legal profession. Our reconstituted AI & Legal Technology Task Force has broadened its scope to help members understand and responsibly adopt emerging tools, including artificial intelligence, electronic discovery, and digital courtroom resources.
The task force successfully launched an AI resources hub, providing practical guides to assist members in navigating new technologies. We are actively developing AI policy templates and reviewing a potential AI certification program to further support our members. Additionally, webinars and CLE sessions on AI and legal tech issues are ongoing, focusing on best practices for managing technology risks and leveraging innovations to enhance client service. Our collaboration with the Judiciary is underway, aiming to modernize Maryland’s court systems and ensure that they are equipped with the latest technology to improve efficiency and access.
Looking Ahead: Strategic Planning and Member Engagement
We have commenced the development of a comprehensive Five-Year Strategic Plan, soliciting broad member input to guide MSBA’s trajectory. This began with extending Executive Director Anna Sholl's contract for an additional three years and undertaking succession planning during that term. Strategic Planning at the executive level and generally in the organization is key to a thriving next-gen organization. This plan seeks to maximize the return on member involvement by prioritizing resources and initiatives that deliver measurable benefits.
All working PODs (namely Intellectual Property, Membership, Governance and Finance, and Advocacy) have been kicked off, and we are in the process of developing each POD report with recommendations. Additionally, under the lead of Jesse Miller, we are circulating a survey to stakeholders to gather valuable insights. Moreover, we plan to review and update NDAs for strategic planning task force members to ensure confidentiality and effective collaboration.
As part of our strategic plan, we have put in place a succession plan for the Association's staff team leadership. This includes training existing employees to advance within the Association and preparing them to serve as future leaders.
Our focus remains on creating an association that is nimble, inclusive, and forward-looking—one that aligns with the evolving needs and values of Maryland’s lawyers.
Conclusion: A Profession Defined by Service and Excellence
The progress made during these opening three months reflects our collective commitment to advancing the core values of the Maryland State Bar Association. Each action taken, each dialogue initiated, and each new connection forged strengthens our profession’s ability to meet the challenges ahead.
As President, I am honored to lead an Association that embodies professionalism, dedication, and the highest standards of legal practice. I thank every member who has contributed time, energy, and expertise to advance our shared mission.
Together, we will continue to uphold the rule of law, promote civility and leadership, champion inclusion, and embrace innovation—ensuring that the Maryland State Bar Association remains the cornerstone of excellence and service in our legal community.
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