Despite the subzero temperatures gripping Maryland, many of us may be feeling the heat in other ways. Within our Sections, Committees, and other leadership meetings, various perspectives are being shared and discussed. That’s not surprising—our organization is full of passionate, well-informed professionals who bring a range of experiences and viewpoints to the table. As members of a profession built on reason and respect, we have a duty to engage one another with civility, even in the face of disagreement.
Recently, I participated in two MSBA meetings that brought these principles to life—one within the Executive Committee and another with our Laws Committee. Both groups discussed whether the Association should issue a public statement or take a stance on immigration and ICE enforcement issues. The conversations were robust yet respectful. Leaders from across the political spectrum set aside personal ideology and focused instead on the legal and institutional questions: What is the rule of law? What is the role of Congress and the state legislature? How do we, as lawyers, uphold the integrity of the legal process when addressing contentious issues?
None of this analysis demands partisanship. It simply reflects what our profession is built upon: adherence to the rule of law, separation of powers, and the consistent application of legal standards regardless of political winds. Whether one favors stricter or more open immigration policies, the debate must occur through lawful mechanisms and respectful discourse—not through confrontation or vilification.
As lawyers, we’re uniquely positioned to model this. We can disagree without denigrating, and we can critique and/or support government action—or inaction—without abandoning civility. That is the hallmark of a mature democracy and a functioning bar association.
This is your MSBA. It belongs to all of us—Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and progressives, litigators and legislators. When we engage one another as colleagues first and partisans second, we strengthen both our Association and the system of justice we serve.
Let’s continue to demonstrate that civil discourse isn’t weakness—it’s the foundation of the rule of law itself.