Advocate January 2022

Advocate

The

January 2022

Newsletter of the Baltimore County Bar Association

VOLUME XXXI, NO. 6

Special Thanks to the Annual Sponsors of the Baltimore County Bar Association Title Sponsor - Law Firm Albers & Associates

Partner Sponsor - Law Firm Rice, Murtha & Psoras

Title Sponsor - Corporate Growth Solutions Team Signature Sponsors - Corporate CRC Salomon Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Multi-Specialty HealthCare Nota by M&T Vallit Advisors January 2022

Partner Sponsor - Corporate Sandy Spring Bank Supporter Sponsors - Corporate AbacusNext Health Quest The Advocate

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The President’s Message for those who are unvaccinated, though we respect each individual’s level of comfort. Our COVID-19 Task Force continues to meet regularly and to address the latest available data in order to monitor the most up-to-date information available on the COVID-19 virus.

Alpha, Delta, Gamma, Omicron - it’s all Greek to me. But no matter which alias it uses, COVID-19 is here to stay and will outlast my brief year of stewardship of the Baltimore County Bar Association (BCBA).

In full recognition of and care to adapt to COVID-19, the BCBA has had an amazing and largely in-person eventfilled bar year so far. As this month’s cover reflects, our 100th Anniversary Holiday Party was held in person last month at Inverness Brewing. This annual event was another invigorating “shot in the arm” for our legal community. One hundred people celebrated together in person, indoors, and safely without sacrificing any fun. I hope you were able to attend and enjoy the festivities. I also hope you will cherish your keepsake BCBA blanket and fond memories for years to come.

Later this month, our Centennial Black-Tie Bar Banquet (the “Prom”) is scheduled for Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Martin’s Valley Mansion. We will only host this amazing gala if we are confident that we can do so safely. At this stage of the pandemic, the risk appears to be most significant

Presuming we can safely host this historic gala later this month and in light of the success of the vaccines in preventing serious illness and hospitalizations, the Executive Council has decided that all members and guests who wish to attend the Prom must be fully vaccinated. To avoid any inconvenience or intrusion by checking vaccine cards, each member and guest who plans to attend must certify that he/ she/they is fully vaccinated. We have created an easy link for all attendees to certify their vaccine status in advance of the event. We trust everyone will understand and appreciate the delicate balance we consider as we continue to assess the latest numbers and impact of COVID-19 leading up to the event. Both behind the scenes and out front, we continue to take all reasonable precautions to provide quality and enjoyable programs and events.

From the Party In The Plaza in September, with keepsake umbrellas to thwart the rain, to the holiday party last month, with souvenir logo blankets to ward off the winter chill, there have been so many great in-person events thus far. Fear not, there are many more still to come in this bar year. I trust that everyone knows that the BCBA hosts wonderful events that should not be missed.

On behalf of everyone at the BCBA, I wish you and yours a very Happy Holidays and a safe and prosperous New Year.

I hope to see you soon. Cheers, and stay well and safe!

- Stanford G. Gann, Jr. Your 103rd President of the Baltimore County Bar Association

Calendar of Events Please go to www.bcba.org and click on Calendar for an up-to-date listing of programs, events, and to register for all programs and events.

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January 2022

2021-22 Officers

President President-Elect Secretary Treasurer

Stanford G. Gann, Jr. John G. Turnbull III Lisa Y. Settles Sondra M. Douglas

Executive Council Richard Grason VI Robert K. Erdman, Jr. Tyler J. Nowicki Michelle Daugherty Siri Alaina L. Storie Mariela D’Alessio Jay D. Miller, Immediate Past President Adam E. Konstas, Young Lawyers Chair

Inside This Edition

The Advocate Tracee Orlove Fruman Committee Chair Tommy Tompsett Committee Vice-Chair

Contributing Writers Judge J. Norris Byrnes Judge Robert E. Cahill, Jr. Del. Jon S. Cardin Maria K. Caruso Judge Kathleen G. Cox Debra B. Cruz Suzanne K.Farace Tracee Orlove Fruman Dylan Gerry Shannon Kreiner Peter T. McDowell Wendy Meadows Angela Miller Judge Joseph F. Murphy, Jr. Raphael Santini Kate Turnbull The Advocate is a monthly publication of the Baltimore County Bar Association informing its members about current events relating to law.

Articles do not necessarily reflect the official position of the BCBA and publication does not constitute an endorsement of views expressed.

BCBA Events Holiday Party Recap.......................................................... 28 Memorial Service............................................................... 30 Committee Reports Bench Bar Committee........................................................ 16 Diversity & Inclusion Committee....................................... 21 Family Law Committee...................................................... 23 Criminal Law Update............................................................ 12 In Memoriam: Judge Thomas K. Bollinger, Sr...................... 34 Lawyer Assistance Program................................................... 22 Phase 3 Updates: District & Circuit Courts............................. 5 Practice in Focus: LGBTQ+ Family Law.............................. 14 Spotlight on Magistrate Sidney Francois............................... 26 The Legislator’s Perspective..................................................... 9 Wellness with Wendy.............................................................. 38

The contents of advertisements are the responsibility of the advertisers and are not recommendations or endorsements by The Advocate.

Publication deadline: 20th of the month preceding publication.

January 2022

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Court Notices January District Court Schedule BALTIMORE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT JUDGES’ ASSIGNMENT FOR JANUARY 2022

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JUDGES: KYW- Kevin Y. Wiggins, KDP- Keith D. Pion, KP-Karen Pilarski, MWS- Michael W. Siri, GJP-Guido J. Porcarelli, KMT-Kimberly M. Thomas, LR- Leo Ryan, MLR-Marsha L. Russell, KJR-Krystin J. Richardson, SCZ-Susan C. Zellweger, DJW-Dorothy J. Wilson, MTP-Michael T. Pate, BEF-Bruce E. Friedman, LAP-Lisa A. Phelps *VJ Indicates Visiting Judge to be assigned

Judges’ assignments are subject to change without further notice

SAVE THE DATE CENTENNIAL BLACK TIE BANQUET Thursday, January 27 | 6:00pm | Martin’s Valley Mansion

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January 2022

BALTIMORE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT INFORMATION PHASE 3: DECEMBER 29, 2021 – FEBRUARY 8, 2022

THE CLERK’S OFFICE IS OPEN

Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

(410) 512-2000 ALL VISITORS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK OR FACE COVERING, TO PARTICIPATE IN INITIAL SCREENING PROCEDURES AND TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING AT ALL TIMES. COURTROOM ATTENDANCE MAY BE LIMITED AS NECESSARY FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING TO LAWYERS, PARTIES, TESTIFYING WITNESSES AND MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA WITH PROPER CREDENTIALS. TO REQUEST A REMOTE HEARING, PLEASE SUBMIT A WRITTEN REQUEST USING FORM CC-DC-110 https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/ccdc110.pdf. THE COURT WILL NOTIFY YOU REGARDING THE OUTCOME OF YOUR REQUEST. DAILY COURT DOCKETS ARE POSTED AT: https://www.mdcourts.gov/district/directories/courtmap THE FOLLOWING CASES ARE POSTPONED: • RENT CASES • CIVIL CASES WHERE ANY PARTY DESIRES AN IN-PERSON HEARING • SERIOUS TRAFFIC CASES NOT INVOLVING ALCOHOL CHARGES (EX: DRIVING ON SUSPENDED, REVOKED, OR WITHOUT A LICENSE; KNOWINGLY DRIVING UNINSURED; HIT AND RUN; FALSIFIED PLATES) • MINOR TRAFFIC / PARKING TICKETS • DNR, MTA, TOLL, CAMERA TICKETS - EX: SCHOOL ZONE, WORK ZONE, SPEED, RED LIGHT, SCHOOL BUS THE FOLLOWING CRIMINAL CASES WILL BE HEARD: • BAIL REVIEW HEARINGS/ BENCH WARRANTS/ FUGITIVE CASES • CASES INVOLVING INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS • GUILTY PLEAS WITH DEFERRAL OF ANY INCARCERATION START DATE CONSIDERED • CASES INVOLVING VIOLENT ACTS (EX: SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT) • ALCOHOL-RELATED MOTOR VEHICLE CHARGES • INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL / MENTAL HEALTH CASES • PROBLEM-SOLVING COURT CASES – ADULT DRUG RECOVERY COURT • PRELIMINARY HEARINGS • VIOLATIONS OF PROBATION • QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION VIOLATIONS THE FOLLOWING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE /PEACE ORDER/ERPO CASES WILL BE HEARD: • NEW WALK-IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS, PEACE ORDERS, EXTREME RISK PROTECTIVE ORDERS (ERPOs) • TEMPORARY AND FINAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS, PEACE ORDERS, EXTREME RISK PROTECTIVE ORDERS (ERPOs) • CONTEMPT HEARINGS RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND PEACE ORDERS • MOTIONS REGARDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS, PEACE ORDERS, EXTREME RISK PROTECTIVE ORDERS (ERPOs) January 2022

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Court Notices

BALTIMORE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT INFORMATION PHASE 3: DECEMBER 29, 2021 – FEBRUARY 8, 2022

THE CLERK’S OFFICE IS OPEN

Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

(410) 512-2000

THE CLERK’S OFFICE IS OPEN. FILINGS MAY STILL BE SUBMITTED AS FOLLOWS:

LOCKED DROP BOXES – 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, MONDAY – FRIDAY, LOCATED AT: • TOWSON COURTHOUSE -120 E. CHESAPEAK AVENUE, TOWSON, MD 21286 • ESSEX COURTHOUSE - 8914 KELSO DRIVE, ESSEX, MD 21221 • CATONSVILLE COURTHOUSE – 1 ROLLING CROSS ROAD, CATIONSVILLE, MD 21228 U. S. MAIL MDEC THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS CASES WILL BE HEARD: • BREACH OF LEASE • TENANT HOLDING OVER • WRONGFUL DETAINER • WARRANTS OF RESTITUTION/EVICTIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROCESSED THE FOLLOWING CIVIL MATTERS WILL BE HEARD: • EMERGENCY EVALUATION PETITIONS • BODY ATTACHMENTS • CIVIL CASES WHERE ALL PARTIES AGREE TO BE HEARD REMOTELY THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE IS OPEN 24 HOURS AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: • TOWSON COURTHOUSE – 120 E. CHESAPEAKE AVENU, TOWSON, MD 21286; (410) 512-2030 • ESSEX COURTHOUSE - 8914 KELSO DRIVE, ESSEX, MD 21221; (410) 512-2328 • CATONSVILLE COURTHOUSE – 1 ROLLING CROSS ROAD, CATONSVILLE, MD 21228; (410) 512-2533 VISIT THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE FOR THE FOLLOWING MATTERS: • NEW INTERIM EXTREME RISK PROTECTIVE ORDERS (ERPOs), DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND PEACE ORDERS, AFTER REGULAR COURT HOURS FROM 4:30 PM – 8:30 AM • APPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC DEFENDER REPRESENTATION • PRELIMINARY INQUIRIES • INITIAL APPEARANCES • APPLICATIONS FOR STATEMENTS OF CHARGES • ACCEPTANCE OF BAIL BONDS • BENCH WARRANT SATISFACTIONS

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL (410) 512-2000, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, MONDAY – FRIDAY OR VISIT WWW.MDCOURTS.GOV Dorothy J. Wilson, District Eight Administrative Judge Issued 12/30/2021

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January 2022

BALTIMORE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT INFORMATION PHASE 3: DECEMBER 29, 2021 – FEBRUARY 8, 2022

As you know, pursuant to Chief Judge Getty’s recently issued Interim Administrative Order, the Judiciary has reverted “to Phase III emergency operations.” We currently anticipate remaining in Phase III until at least February 8, 2022.

CHILD SUPPORT

Specially Assigned Cases Scheduling Conferences

Establishments

There will be a heightened emphasis on safety and a reduced number of people in the courthouse.

Settlement Conferences

Civil settlement conferences will continue to be handled remotely until further notice.

Motions, Administrative Appeals and Record Appeals Matters already scheduled on the docket will proceed as scheduled, with the assigned judge’s chambers to arrange for a remote hearing whenever possible.

Bail Reviews

Bail reviews are cancelled until further notice. If a Body Attachment or Bench Warrant is served during Phase III, the Sheriff will have the detained party sign an Emergency Release Form and will then forward copies to the Court and the BCOCS. These cases will be rescheduled, if necessary, once the Court moves beyond Phase III.

and

With the exception of jury trials, we expect to continue business as usual in Phase III—albeit with a heightened emphasis on safety and a reduced number of people in the courthouse. We expect to handle many, if not most, matters remotely.

Contempts

As long as the BCOCS has personnel available, a cashier will be in Room G-10 on Tuesdays to accept payments.

Status

The assigned judge will conduct a status/scheduling conference and re-set the trial date with the attorneys and Central Assignment.

All establishment dockets will proceed as normal in Phase III —albeit with a heightened emphasis on safety and a reduced number of people in the courthouse.

All contempt dockets will proceed as normal before Magistrate Farmer and Judge Hennegan. Criminal Constructive Contempt and Non-Support Matters in which a defendant elects a jury trial will be postponed until the Court re-enters Phase V.

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Bench Trials

Bench trials will go forward as scheduled.

CRIMINAL Criminal Dockets

CIVIL

Dockets will remain scheduled at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am and 1:30 pm.

Jury Trials

The Criminal Administrative Docket will be divided between two judges. One judge will hear in person postponement requests and the other judge will hear video bench warrants, bails, postponements, and pleas through BCDC.

During Phase III, there will be no jury trials conducted.

If you had a jury trial scheduled between January 3, 2022-February 8, 2022, it has been administratively postponed. Please do not call assignment to reschedule your postponed trial. The assignment office will be in touch with you to reschedule the trial when appropriate.

Trials and Specially Assigned Cases

Bench trials will move forward as scheduled with mindful consideration of courtroom capacity.

Status and Scheduling Conferences

Status and/or scheduling conferences will be set in all cases that have been postponed as a result of our return to Phase III.

January 2022

Primary and backup jury trial dates will be converted to status/scheduling hearings and will be held on the originally scheduled date and time on a regular docket.

Guilty pleas, stets, and NP’s will be heard at status/ scheduling conferences. In the event the case cannot be resolved, a new trial date will be selected at the status/ scheduling conference. (continued on page 8)

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The trial judge will be conducting status/scheduling hearing with counsel on the scheduled trial date. If the judge determines that a hearing is required with the defendant present, chambers will make the appropriate arrangements. Conferences with both counsel and/ or the defendant will be handled remotely whenever possible.

Motions

Motions will proceed as scheduled, via remote hearing to the greatest extent possible.

Pleas

Counsel who have an agreed upon plea should contact Brittany Jackson at 410-887-2853 or brittany.jackson@ mdcourts.gov to coordinate a remote hearing date.

Hearings for defendants held locally will be added to the daily 9:00 am video docket; all other pleas will be set in the afternoon via Zoom.

Competency, Criminal Responsibility Issues, Discovery, and Hicks Issues

All matters not requiring witness testimony will remain in as scheduled.

Expungements

Expungement dockets will remain as scheduled but will be held remotely.

Violations of Probation

Hearings will be held with a limit of two per day.

VOP bench warrant hearings will continue to be heard on the video bail docket on the next court day after pickup. If the defendant is released, the video bail judge will coordinate a VOP hearing date with the assigned judge’s chambers. If the defendant is not released, the video bail judge will advise the assigned judge so that chambers can schedule the hearing.

FAMILY Scheduling conferences will continue to be handled remotely until further notice.

Uncontested dockets will continue to be handled remotely until further notice.

SIJS hearings will continue to be handled remotely until further notice.

Mediations will continue to be handled remotely until further notice.

Adoptions will continue to be handled remotely until further notice.

Guardianships will continue to be handled remotely until further notice. All in-person subpoena hearings will be cancelled and rescheduled as a remote hearing if possible.

Family Services, including screenings, evaluations, and other services, will continue to be handled remotely until further notice.

Settlement Conferences will continue to be handled remotely until further notice.

Judges’ dockets and Magistrates’ dockets We expect to continue business as usual in Phase III—albeit with a heightened emphasis on safety and a reduced number of people in the courthouse. We expect to handle many, if not most, matters remotely.

The Visitation Center will be temporarily closed from December 29, 2021, through February 8, 2021.

Modifications

Hearings will be held remotely to the greatest extent possible, with a limit of two hearings scheduled per day.

Modification hearings may be held in person if the defendant is in local custody and a hearing will likely lead to release.

Post-conviction Hearings

Post-conviction hearings will be held remotely or reset after February 8, 2022.

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January 2022

The Legislator’s Perspective Special Legislation Session of the Maryland General Assembly the legislature to produce, vote on and pass a map before January 1, 2022.

On a related matter, early in the regular session, the Governor will have the opportunity to create and provide a map for the legislature to debate and vote on regarding state legislative districts. This is a separate exercise where the Governor has a bonafide role in providing a map for the legislature to consider and work from as a starting point. To that end, whether good or bad, and despite effective badgering of the legislature for not bending to his wishes, the Governor has no constitutional role in congressional redistricting, save officially convening the special session. For that reason, it is the purview of the legislative leaders to draw up a legal and proficient map, and unless the Governor can come together with the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, his opinions will likely not be considered.

Delegate Jon Cardin Last year’s [virtual] General Assembly legislative session ended in April, and the 2022 regular legislative session is quickly approaching. Yet, as I write this article, the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) has just completed a weeklong Constitutionally-mandated special legislative session with the specific purpose of passing a new Congressional Redistricting Map following the 10-year Census report.

As a legislator, I am always thrilled to jump into the work of the citizens of Maryland with the goals of justice, equitable treatment under the laws, and improving our quality of life, especially those most vulnerable among us -- our children, families, minorities, and people with disabilities. With that said, the special session was nearly singularly focused on passing a map, with two exceptions -- veto override considerations and the election of the state treasurer given the recent retirement of Treasurer Nancy Kopp.

So what is a special legislative session, and what exactly did the MGA accomplish during it?

Maps–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– On December 6th, both chambers of the MGA convened in session. The session, called by the Governor, is mandated to fulfill the legislative Constitutional duty in the same year the Census is published. Even though Maryland’s relatively stable population retained its eight congressional seats, we still undertook the compulsory action borne on January 2022

For eight years, I served as the Election Law Subcommittee Chair. I was honored to be appointed to the National Conference of State Legislatures Election Law and Redistricting Committee, and I chaired it for more than three of those years. During that time, I traveled around the country to speak about efforts to void redistricting policies of partisan gerrymandering efforts. In that vein, many of us have spent years working towards the depoliticizing of redistricting and a non-partisan approach to map-making.

Nevertheless, as I watch dozens of republican-led legislatures use their majority to dominate the redistricting process, I realize that this is a national issue, getting worse, and it requires a national response. In fact, in only two states in the union do democratic legislatures control the redistricting procedures (Maryland being one of them). Thus, while my republican colleagues proclaimed it unfair for legislative leaders to ignore the Governor’s attempt to draft a map, what is happening in Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi does actually matter. Texas, for example, has increased in population by nearly two million, and therefore, its congressional representation increased by two. Yet, while 95% of that increase was from minority populations, the predominately white legislature passed a map that will actually reduce the minority population both in Congress and in the state legislature. For that reason, I would argue it is disingenuous to expect Maryland leadership to give up its control without federal reform or bi-partisan cooperation.

At the national level, HR1 passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is languishing in the U.S. Senate, and

(continued on page 10)

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The Legislator’s Perspective it provides for non-partisan redistricting commissions to be set up nationwide so that no state is at a disadvantage. I am all about non-partisan redistricting, but if asked my opinion about whether to cave to the wishes of the Governor, I would never advise my leadership to give up what little leverage it has before a fair and smart reform and/or compromise is approved nationwide.

Governor Hogan’s attempt to create his own redistricting commission, and by the transitive property, his own map, without legislative approval or input, is laudable but in a vacuum falls out of bounds of the rules and the norms.

I will continue to work with this Governor and the next to create bi-partisan legislation that brings us together to cooperate on a non-partisan redistricting scheme. But until we fix this legislatively, the Governor does not replace the legislature’s Constitutional duties.

Even more, many colleagues and I have made our case for reduced gerrymandering, but for the Governor to try to usurp the legislative responsibilities without legislative acceptance could further exacerbate partisan divisions. It was unfortunate that the Governor complained that his map was ignored to highlight partisanship when his map has no standing and it is clear that he’ll get his map if he would just get his Republican colleagues to simply vote on HR 1.

The map the MGA voted on was produced after ten live public hearings around the state, two public zoom hearings, and two public hearings in Annapolis. Hundreds of witnesses and scores of written testimonies were considered in the process. And considerations of contiguity, communities’ togetherness, compactness, jurisdictional lines were all used as variables as well as minority community interest. I don’t doubt that politics were also involved, but in the end, with over a million possible variations and the many factors taken into consideration, the map was sufficient, legal, and meets our criteria. For that reason, I voted for it.

Veto Overrides––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The legislature also took up overrides of some of the vetoes by the Governor on bills from the 2021 session. Here are a few of the nearly two dozen bills that were overridden.

HB16 - The Dignity Not Detention Act bans state and local entities from entering into agreements with Immigrations Customs Enforcement (ICE) that allow non-violent detainees to be held in local jails, as well as prohibits police officers from inquiring with people about their citizenship status during traffic stops. Maryland is home to a robust community of immigrants who are our family, friends, and neighbors. This law will ensure that these people can continue to live in our state without the fear of being detained simply because of the way they look.

HB23 - This bill further strengthens protections for our immigrant community by prohibiting federal agents from accessing files or other information from the MVA without first acquiring a warrant for the purposes of civil immigration proceedings. Coincidentally, this bill came to my subcommittee, and I served as the floor leader for it originally and during the veto override.

SB202 - This new law increases the amount of time that inmates who have been sentenced to life in prison must serve before they are eligible for parole from 15 to 20 years. It also eliminates the requirement for the governor’s consent for all convicts recommended for parole. Parole is not a political decision, and this law ensures that justice is distributed fairly and equally.

HB836 - The COVID-19 Testing, Contact Tracing, and Vaccination Act of 2021 requires the Maryland departments of Health, and Education, to develop and execute a two-year plan to respond to COVID-19. It also requires the Department of health to create a vaccination

Your ad could be here! Contact Rachel Ruocco at rruocco@bcba.org or 410-337-9103

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January 2022

plan and specify funding for these programs. While Maryland has been able to distance itself from where we were only a year ago, the fight against COVID remains, and it remains important to dedicate resources towards mitigating the public health impacts the virus continues to have.

HB894 - This bill allows for faculty and staff at local community colleges to engage in collective bargaining.

Educators’ work is vital to our state, and this law will ensure fair treatment by allowing them to bargain for wages and other working conditions if they so choose.

HB1003 and SB780, and SB 829 all dealt with States of Emergency Procurement and Budget Amendments. The veto overrides all got bi-partisan support. This is rare on veto overrides, and I am glad that we can come together at times when we all think the Governor made a mistake and fix it quickly.

HB 719 - Delays the enforceability of personal liability clauses during a gubernatorial emergency Declaration

and for 180 days after it is ended. Incidentally, the day we overrode this veto was day 165 after the end of the emergency declaration meaning this law only worked until Christmas and then the liability clauses could again be enforced. A true Christmas gift to the business owners who had to provide personal liability to commercial property managers.

Treasurer–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Finally, Longtime Treasurer and former Delegate Nancy Kopp recently retired. Per our Constitutional Duty, a joint session of the legislature came together to nearly unanimously vote House Economic Matters Chairman Dereck Davis the next treasurer for our state. Chairman Davis has served his community as a Delegate since 1999, and I am confident he will be an excellent fiduciary in his new role.

– Delegate Jon S. Cardin, Esq., 11th District

Position Announcement

Job Title: Program Manager, Access to Counsel Summary: The mission of the Maryland Legal Services Corporation is

to ensure low-income Marylanders have access to stable, efficient, and effective civil legal assistance through grantmaking to nonprofit legal services Position Announcement organizations. MLSC seeks a full-time program manager to coordinate two new statutorily created programs: a statewide Access to Counsel in Evictions program and a Right to Counsel in Evictions program specific to Baltimore City.

Title: Program Manager, Access to Counsel Our office is located in downtown Baltimore, and we work in a hybrid Job format.

More information about MLSC can be found at www.mlsc.org. The Program Manager will report to the Executive Director. this is a grant-funded position, currently funded through June 2024, with a high probability Summary: The mission of Maryland Legal Services Corporation is to ensure low-income Marylanders of continuing beyond that date.

have access to stable, efficient and effective civil legal assistance through grantmaking to nonprofit legal

Primary Responsibilities: services organizations. MLSC seeks a full-time program manager to coordinate two new statutorily statewidepartnerships Access to Counsel in relevant Evictions program and aand Right to Counsel in • Coordinate implementation of both a statewide Access to Counsel created• programs: Work toadevelop with institutions specific to Baltimore City. in Evictions program and a Right to Counsel in Evictions program Evictions program individuals. specific to Baltimore City, including convening stakeholders, • Perform occasional research related to policies and practices. is located MLSC’s in downtown Baltimore, and we workCity, in a hybrid format.

More information about assisting with program and support system design, and performingOur office • Manage reporting to the State, and other entities.

MLSC canReporting be found at will www.mlsc.org.

The Program Manager will report reporting to the Executive Director. This is outreach to key constituencies. include compiling project outcomes, a grant-funded position, currently funded through June 2024, with high probability of continuing beyond • Manage grantmaking to legal service providers, including working financial data, and writing narratives. that date. with other staff to develop application and reporting processes.

• Ensure compliance with state and local laws, and regulations.

• Manage contracting with project vendors.

• Responsibilities: Ensure equity is centered in implementation and outreach, as noted Primary • Monitor contractor and grantee performance and evaluation, in theimplementation preambles toofboth State and City legislation.

• Coordinate both the a statewide Access to Counsel in Evictions program and a Right including using MLSC-collected data and coordingating with outside to • Participate in and/or staffing support for various relevant Counsel in Evictions programprovide specific to Baltimore City, including convening stakeholders, evaluator. workgroups orand committees. assisting with program support system design, and performing outreach to key constituencies.

Manage grantmaking to legal service providers, including working with other staff to develop application and reporting processes.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to thoughtfully consider Manage contracting with project vendors. ideas from diverse stakeholders.

Monitor contractor and grantee performance and evaluation, including using MLSC-collected data • Excellent project managment and organizational skills, including and coordinating with outside evaluator. to prioritize and quickly respond to and adapting needs.

Work ability to develop partnerships with relevant institutions individuals.

• Ability to work bothrelated independently andpractices. with a team.

Perform occasional research to policies and • Comfort experience with using technology.

Manage MLSC’s and reporting to the State, City and other entities. Reporting will include compiling project outcomes, reporting financial data and writing narratives. compliance with stateletter and local and regulations.

Salary/Benefits: $68,000-$78,000 salary depending on experience • Ensure To apply: Send cover andlaws resume with “Program Manager in equity is centered in implementationPlease and outreach, as noted in you the preambles and skills, plus generous benefits package including health, dental, • Ensure the subject line to info@mlsc.org. mention where saw this to both the and CityApplications legislation. will be accepted until the position is filled, but long-term disability, retirement plan, and company-paid parking/transit State posting.

• Participate in and/or staffing support various consideration. relevant workgroups or committees. allowance. please apply byprovide January 13, 2022 forforpriority • Qualifications/Skills: • Strong commitment to access to justice and familiarity with • Maryland’s civil legal aid system.

• • Experience with rent court in Maryland strongly preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree or significant experience in Maryland’s civil legal• aid system required. Law degree may be helpful.

• • Experience with grant reporting required. Experience managing • federal grants preferred.

January 2022

Qualifications/Skills: • Strong commitment to access to justice and familiarity with Maryland’s civil legal aid system.

• Experience with rent court in Maryland strongly preferred.

The 11 degree • Advocate Bachelor’s degree or significant experience in Maryland’s civil legal aid system required. Law may be helpful.

• Experience with grant reporting required. Experience managing federal grants preferred.

Criminal Law Update Sykes v. State, No. 2132, September Term, 2019 In the modern legal environment the importance of electronic evidence cannot be overstated. Whether the information comes from social media, text messages, emails or downloads, practitioners in all areas of law need to be familiar with how to properly admit electronic evidence.

In Sykes v. State, No. 2132, September Term, 2019, the Court of Special Appeals recently reaffirmed the proper standard for admissibility of electronic evidence.

Sykes involved a CDS prosecution of two individuals stopped in a car with a sufficient amount of narcotics to indicate an intent to distribute. During the trial of one of the co-defendants, Brandon Sykes, the State introduced text messages from the 10 days prior to the stop that showed Sykes sent and received text messages consistent with drug distribution. The defendant challenged the admissibility arguing that the State failed to establish that the messages belonged to him. The court reviewed the relevant Rule and case law, including a Baltimore County case, State v. Sample, 468 Md. 560 (2020), and affirmed the conviction.

The Court of Special Appeals began its analysis with Maryland Rule 5-901(a) which governs the authentication and identification of evidence. The Rule provides: “The requirement of authentication or identification as a condition precedent to admissibility is satisfied by evidence sufficient to support a finding that the matter in question is what its proponent claims.” Md. Rule 5-901(a).

The Rule provides a non-exhaustive list of means in which to authenticate evidence. Relevant to the admissibility of electronic evidence, the Rule identifies (1) testimony of a witness with knowledge and (4) circumstantial evidence. Md. Rule 5-901(b)(1) and (4); Sykes, Slip op. at 8.

Circumstantial evidence includes “appearance, contents, substance, internal patterns, location, or other distinctive characteristics, that the offered evidence is what it is claimed to be.” Md. Rule 5-901(b)(4).

proponent of the evidence “is not required to disprove all other possibilities, nor is it required to prove authenticity with absolute certainty.” Sykes, Slip op. at 12 (citing Sample, 468 Md. at 605).

The Court of Special Appeals first discussed Dickens v. State, 175 Md. App. 231 (2007), in which the court addressed the admissibility of threatening text messages sent by a defendant to his now deceased wife in the months leading up to her shooting. The court found that direct and circumstantial evidence linked the phone and the messages sent from the phone to the defendant. Id. at 237. For direct evidence, the court relied upon testimony of the victim’s mother that her daughter had given her old phone to the defendant, and that the number associated with the text messages was the same as the old cell number.

Id. at 237-38. Additionally, the cell phone was found in the area where the defendant was arrested. Id. at 238.

Circumstantially, the court relied on the content of the messages which included discussions related to custody of their child, reference to their wedding vows, and the threats themselves in light of what ultimately happened to the victim. Id. at 238-40. The cumulative effect of the direct and circumstantial evidence was to meet the burden of authentication.

Next the Court of Special Appeals discussed State v.

Sample, 468 Md. 560, 567-68 (2020). In Sample, the State used information from two Facebook accounts to establish a nexus between two suspects in an attempted armed robbery and that the surviving of the two suspects unfriended the deceased shortly after the botched robbery.

After concluding that the proper standard of proof for authenticating social media evidence is preponderance

“The burden of proof for authentication is slight, and the court need not find that the evidence is necessarily what the proponent claims, but only that there is sufficient evidence that the jury ultimately might do so.” Sykes, Slip op. at 8 (quoting Darling v. State, 232 Md. App. 430, 455 (2017) and Johnson v. State, 228 Md. App. 27, 59 (2016)).

The standard of proof for authenticating electronic evidence is preponderance of the evidence. State v. Sample, 468 Md. 560, 567-68 (2020). Specifically, “there must be sufficient circumstantial evidence for a reasonable juror to find that it is more likely than not that the [electronic evidence] is what it is purported to be.” Id. Moreover, the 12

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January 2022

of evidence, Id. at 567-68, the Court affirmed the trial court’s admission of the evidence. The Court relied on information contained within the Facebook records including the current location listed under the profiles, schools listed in the profiles, friends of the profiles, and e-mails associated with the profiles to conclude that there was sufficient evidence for a reasonable juror to find that the profiles belong to the defendant and the deceased.

Id. at 568. Additionally, the fact that the “unfriending” occurred shortly after the incident demonstrated a motive to distance himself from the deceased. Id.

Applying the Rule and case law to the underlying facts in Sykes, the Court of Special Appeals affirmed the admissibility of the text messages. The court relied on the fact that the text messages were recovered from the phone seized from the defendant at the time of his arrest. Additionally, there was testimony that Sykes was seen unlocking and using the phone at the scene. Sykes, Slip op. at 11. The court also relied on the content of the text messages, discussions regarding the sale of heroin, which were consistent with the fact that Sykes was found in possession of large quantities of heroin, to justify the admissibility. Id. at 12.

– Jennifer W. Ritter, Esq.

January 2022

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Practice in Focus LGBTQ+ Family Law Maryland legalized same-sex marriage in 2013. The country followed suit and legalized it in 2015. With nearly 10 years of legalized marriage, family law practitioners may assume that their services provided to straight couples are directly transferable or essentially the same for LGBTQ+ families. While many of the legal services needed by LGBTQ+ families are the same, practitioners who wish to incorporate dedicated services to LGBTQ+ clients should be aware of this population’s particular history and concerns.

LGBTQ+ people formed family units and romantic partnerships well before they gained legal recognition for their roles in these families. Thus, LGBTQ+ people were navigating family and relationship dissolution without the force or favor of the law for many decades. While family law has progressed to include bare legal condonation of lesbian and gay spouses and parents, many LGBTQ+ people entering family court have a negative history with, or attitude toward, family law in general.

Examining the historical legal background is a helpful place to start when contemplating how to provide effective services to LGBTQ+ clients. Lawrence v. Texas, a landmark civil rights

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case for LGBTQ+ Americans, was decided in 2003 and overturned a Texas law outlawing sexual conduct between same-sex partners, which was otherwise legal for their straight peers. Obergefell v. Hodges is the landmark decision establishing that a right to marriage includes lesbian and gay couples. The Supreme Court delivered that decision in 2015, more than 10 years after Massachusetts authorized the first same-sex marriages. Couples who were able to obtain marriage licenses in the intervening period were forced to navigate a vast range of state laws that forbade, tolerated, or affirmed the rights of these married people.

However, focusing on these recent victories can obscure the deep distrust earned through decades of discrimination against LGBTQ+ parties in American courts. Frederick Hertz, a gay family law attorney and mediator reflected on these dispositions as they relate to the LGBTQ+ community and noted, “Courthouses and legislatures have, for many decades and in many different ways, served primarily as sources of oppression rather than justice for LGBT people…the legal system historically played a negative role in our community.”

Alongside historical legal context, family law practitioners

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January 2022

should consider that LGBTQ+ families may have different needs when approaching family dissolution. For example, child custody determinations are complicated where only one parent may have a biological relationship with the couple’s children or where gender performance has been interpreted by analogy as parenting in the best interest of the child. LGBTQ+ parents who do not conform to traditional gender roles or performance face uncertainty if they submit their claims for a magistrate’s determination.

Even where property distribution is concerned, one must remember that LGBTQ+ people have only had the opportunity to marry recently, but previously built ongoing financial relationships which fit their families’ needs at the time. This reality becomes especially complicated when partners separate and the date of marriage is applied to signal the seriousness of a relationship or to begin allocating marital property. Thus, LGBTQ+ partners who lack trust in the capacity of family courts to deliver fair outcomes in light of historical discrimination may be better served by representation in alternative dispute resolution rather than risking uncertainty in adversarial litigation. A one-sizefits-most approach to family law cannot serve LGBTQ+ families.

Unfortunately for LGBTQ+ family law clients and the practitioners who wish to serve them, rigorous training in the particular needs of these clients can be challenging to acquire. Many attorneys currently become competent in LGBTQ+ family law through a combination of personal research and voluntary continuing education seminars.

One excellent set of resources is available from the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s Family Law Institute (FLI), which offers training as well as networking to prepare attorneys to work diligently and competently in service of clients whose needs are both similar and different from their straight peers. Lawyers who become members of FLI can also be listed on the Family Law Attorney Directory, which empowers LGBTQ+ clients to select attorneys they can trust to understand their needs. In addition, the Maryland Association of Collaborative Professionals (MACP) recently sponsored a webinar, “LGBT Issues in Family Separation and Divorce,” where former MACP President Miriam Sievers discussed how mediation and collaborative law could help LGBTQ+ divorcing couples generate their own solutions to property distribution and child custody while avoiding the protracted costs and uncertainty that might characterize litigation. The webinar also emphasized the benefits of creating an inclusive practice so that all family law clients feel comfortable discussing issues associated with transitioning and marginalized identities. Interested attorneys may consider consulting these resources or January 2022

Abbie Goldberg and Adam Romero’s 2019 collection of research on the subject, LGBTQ Divorce and Relationship Dissolution.

In the meantime, creating an inclusive practice can start small: including pronouns on client intake sheets or beginning research on LGBTQ+ issues that can impact clients may be the first step in providing better service to diverse clients and ultimately making the field of family law more accessible to all families.

– Shannon Kreiner Shannon Kreiner is a 4L at the University of Baltimore School of Law Evening Division, Membership Coordinator for If/When/How, and the Vice President of OutLaw.

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Committee Reports Bench Bar Committee Report: November 2021 The BCBA’s Bench Bar Committee met on November 10, 2021. Chairperson Debra Thomas called the meeting to order.

Administrative Judge Ruth Jakubowski advised the committee that last week, Sidney Francois was sworn as a new Magistrate to fill the vacancy when Judge Epstein was elevated from Magistrate to Judge. Magistrate Francois will be primarily a Juvenile and CINA Magistrate and will begin handling dockets on November 29th. Magistrate Francois will also hear uncontested divorces in the near future. By way of background, Magistrate Francios worked for the Public Defender’s Office in Baltimore City and was also with the Baltimore City Department of Social Services.

Judges Norman, Deeley, Cox as well as Judge Pierson from Baltimore City will be joining Judge Howe as settlement judges in civil and family law. Shannon Calloway will also be replacing Joanne Krep at the end of November.

Ms. Calloway comes from private practice where she was a paralegal. Settlement court will remain remote for the foreseeable future.

Jury selection will continue at the American Legion facility, and the lease is expected to be extended until June 2022.

Judge Jakubowski reported that since April when the court reopened, 35 civil jury trials have been completed, and 98 civil cases were settled prior to jury selection. Forty-three criminal juries were picked of which 32 reached a verdict, eight took a plea after jury selection, one was postponed after jury selection and two jury trials were currently in progress as of this report. Another 131 criminal cases were resolved by either plea, stet or nol pros., including 46 murder and manslaughter cases.

Family law holiday visitation disputes will be heard between November 15 and December 17, 2021, only for those cases with an order in place. It was noted that civil and family law attorneys are booked into 2023 and it is causing a back log getting cases scheduled and affecting Judicare cases.

Tim Sheridan, Circuit Court Administrator, added that part of the problem is that we are essentially trying two years of cases in one year and also noted that we now have 20 judges and 8 magistrates for the first time in two years.

Mr. Sheridan invited attorneys to share their ideas for how to streamline trying cases with Brittany Jackson for criminal matters or Abbey Cohen or any member of the family law committee for family law matters.

Clerk Julie Ensor reported that there are 10 vacancies in the Clerk’s Office.

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Magistrate Dilip Paliath expressed that they are happy to have Magistrate François on board. Uncontested divorces can be scheduled before the end of the year by contacting Assignment as there will be a Judge’s docket on December 23, 2021.

He also reported that he and Judge Epstein are in the process of hiring a coordinator for the Family Recovery Support Program, which is primarily for CINA cases and for parents who have substance abuse or addiction problem or have had their children removed from them and is intended to prove services such as parenting and other life skills.

Arthur Frank, Judge of the Orphan’s Court, reported that the Orphans Court is back to in-person hearings but that they are liberal in granting virtual hearings. Written requests are required 15 days in advance.

District Court Administrative Judge Dorothy J. Wilson reported on behalf of the district court bench regarding issues with the home detention monitoring agencies. If practitioners have indigent clients who are receiving public defender services, the attorneys should submit the order on behalf of the program. District Court headquarters has alerted the licensed private home detention monitoring to the necessary documentation required in order for the District Court to process and pay their invoices but attorneys need to be aware of the rules and procedures, hookup notices, violation and termination notices because they are not always received.

Judge Wilson also discussed issues with the monies that the County has received for helping those tenants who have suffered an impact as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, it has been an administrative challenge getting money out to tenants to help them either avoid eviction or to relocate and to landlords to help them pay their expenses with regard to renting and maintaining their properties and the court is working with Baltimore County to get that done.

Serious criminal and traffic dockets and civil dockets alike are moving along although Essex is behind because it is such a small court location.

Lastly, Judge Wilson announced with great sadness that Judge Phil Tirabassi will be retiring effective January 7, 2022. However, he has committed to handling specially set civil cases and has offered to continue to work with the mental health court.

District Court Administrator Maria Fields added that the court is continuing to work through the backlog

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January 2022

Committee Reports and hope to be current by the end of next year. She also reported a challenge in personnel with a lot of turnover both for employees and in the supervisory staff which is making training a challenge.

Hon. William Sommerville, III, Office of Administrative Hearings, reported that ALJ Geraldine Klauber is retiring at the end of the month and that ALJ Steve Adler is moving over to the Federal court next month to begin as an Immigration Judge.

President Stanford Gann, Jr., BCBA’s Executive Committee. reported a virtual Memorial Service will be held on November 18 at 3:30 pm and encouraged all to attend.

He also announced the in-person Holiday Party on December 9 at Inverness Brewing Company and the centennial black-tie banquet (“Bar Prom”) on January 27, 2022, which is also planned to be in person.

Finally, President Gann advised that the Supreme Court notified him admissions previously scheduled for Baltimore County for February 2022, are going to be rescheduled because they are not yet ready to have in-person arguments and admissions. They are expected to occur sometime in February 2023.

Adam Konstas, Young Lawyers expressed his gratitude for the participation of the Bench and specifically Judge Jakubowski and Judge Robinson in our most recent Chamber Chat. There are a few more scheduled for the rest of the year.

Harry Chase and Tim Sheridan, Portraits Committee, reported that four portraits for Judges Murphy, Smith, Dugan, and Wright will be hung in Courtroom 12 on Friday. Harry advised new portraits are underway and they are waiting for Judge Jakubowski to give the okay so that we can have a public unveiling of the portraits. Harry will notify the families of those judges that their portraits are to be hung on Monday morning.

Patricia DeMaio, Diversity and Inclusion, thanked Judge Wilson for the presentation last month as part of the series “What Does Diversity Mean to Me.” She announced the next event, also part of this series, will be virtual on November 16, 2021, at 5:30 and the guest speaker will be James Dills, the District Public Defender for Baltimore County.

– Debra B. Cruz, Esq.

Scott Shellenberger, Office of the State’s Attorney, reported that his office is busy. Staffing issues have complicated their caseload management. The office is currently short-staffed by three assistant states’ attorneys, and the office expects to lose two more attorneys shortly.

He asked that we send any young attorneys looking for a position to his office.

Jessica Bancroft, Public Defender’s Office, reported that like the State’s Attorney’s office, they are also short staffed despite having some new attorneys starting in January. She also reported a staffing shortage with the core staff.

The OPD is still working on a teleworking hybrid model, but the main office is open, with a front office where anybody who needs a Public Defender can come in and apply for violation of probation or collateral matters. For all other services, prospective clients will have to go to the Commissioner’s office to apply.

Chris Malagna, Family Law Liaison, reported that the committee has a Zoom Meet the Family Services Division on November 10 so that members of the bar have an opportunity to see the people that provide the services, including settlement/scheduling conferences in the family law arena. On December 1 there will also be a noon program on Zoom, Meet the Mediator, where members of the bar get to meet the actual mediators and learn how we can interface with them better to serve our clients and the Bench.

January 2022

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Committee Reports Bench Bar Committee Report: December 2021 The December meeting of the Bench Bar Committee took place via Zoom on December 9, 2021. The Committee Chair, Debra Thomas, called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. The meeting minutes of November 10, 2021, were voted on and approved.

In attendance were: Debra Thomas, Carl Gold, Tyler Nowicki, Scott Shellenberger, Hon. Ruth Ann Jakubowski, Alexis Burrell-Rhode, Lure Ruth, Stanford Gann, Jr., Leonard Shapiro, Christine Malanga, Maria Fields, Harry Chase, Hon. William Somerville, III, Raphael Santini, Magistrate Dilip Paliath, Suzanne Farace, Debra Cruz, Hon. Arthur Frank, James Dills, Damien Banks, Marissa Joelson, Hon. Michael Siri, Hon. Stacy Mayer, Hon. Dorothy Wilson, Tim Sheridan, Julie Ensor, and Adam Konstas.

CIRCUIT COURT REPORTS The Honorable Ruth Ann Jakubowski, Administrative Judge.

Jury trial selection will continue at American Legion.

The lease has been extended until June 2022, with an option of an additional three months beyond that. The Court is hopeful that jury selection will be able to return to the Courthouse in July 2022, COVID depending. The efficiencies developed at the American Legion will continue once jury selection returns to the courthouse. The Court is currently investigating longer-term solutions for space.

The Court has been very productive in conducting jury trials. The statistics for criminal cases are that since jury trials resumed, 49 criminal juries have been selected. Nine resulted in a plea agreement, a stet or a nolle pros, 38 went to verdict, and one was postponed after the jury was seated. There were also 19 criminal bench trials held. Approximately 47 murder and manslaughter cases were resolved. The Court is not backlogged with respect to criminal matters and is being very proactive about scheduling those cases.

The Court has also been very productive in conducting civil jury trials. There have been 45 civil jury trials concluded, with 114 resolved prior to jury selection.

The Court is being very proactive about scheduling civil and family law trials. The Court has instituted a second family law docket on Wednesdays, virtually, to assist with the backlog and allow people to come back for second settlement conferences sooner than March or April. Judge Howe has kindly agreed to do extra days in Settlement Court. If your case ends up on standby, the Court will send

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you to settlement court virtually, if a settlement judge is available.

The Court has a new judicial assistant, Shannon Callaway, in Settlement Court. She comes from private practice as a paralegal and will be assisting Catherine (Katie) Fisher and Brandon Roemer.

Also, the Court is looking at files more carefully in order to make settlement court conferences more productive. This means that the Court staff will be making sure that pre-trial statements are in the file five days before the conference in civil cases. In family law cases, the Court will require that the Joint Statements or Property and the parenting plans be in the file at least ten days before settlement conferences.

The Attorneys will be contacted and reminded if these documents are not in the file in a timely manner.

For family law cases where a divorce hearing needs to happen before the end of the year, the Court has established a docket with Judge Battista on December 20, 2021, and additional dockets as needed.

There are 20 Judges currently and there will be 19 with Judge Stringer’s upcoming retirement in January 2022.

Timothy Sheridan, Circuit Court Administrator.

Attorneys are encouraged to contact him if they perceive any issues or have any ideas about how the Court might handle COVID-19 concerns better.

The Court has hung the portraits of Judges Smith, Dugan, Wright, Murphy, and Daniels in Courtroom 12. We look forward to a day when we can have a formal event to honor these Judges.

Julie Ensor, Clerk of the Court.

The Clerk’s Office continues to fill openings and has hired 32 people since late June 2021. There are still 12 vacancies.

Recruitment has been challenging.

Magistrate Dilip Paliath, Magistrate’s Report.

Juvenile delinquency cases are now being conducted in person.

A Coordinator for the Family Recovery and Support Program will hopefully be hired to start by late January 2022.

The Honorable Arthur Frank, Orphan’s Court.

The Orphan’s Court is still holding hearings virtually upon request, especially if it is a non-evidentiary hearing.

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January 2022

Committee Reports Alexis Burrell-Rhode, Register of Wills.

The Register of Wills is taking walk-ins as well as scheduling appointments. They are continuing to follow COVID-19 protocols.

DISTRICT COURT REPORTS The Honorable Dorothy J. Wilson, Administrative Judge.

Judge Wilson discussed the drive-by shooting incident that occurred at the Essex District Court on November 20, 2021, by a person struggling with mental health issues. Twentyone rounds were fired into the building; no one was injured.

There was a Commissioner and a Security Guard in the building. The Court was closed the day after the shooting and the Commissioners relocated for the balance of the weekend. Temporary replacement glass was installed which allowed the Court to reopen the following week. There have been regular meetings about these security concerns and short-term and longer-term solutions for all the courthouses.

There is shatter-proof but not yet bullet-proof glass on the exteriors of the courthouses. There is bullet-proof glass at the Clerk’s counter.

Judge Tirabassi’s retirement is effective January 7, 2022, but his last day sitting was November 30, 2021. He is expected to handle Pre-Trial Settlement conferences after his official retirement, although his first assignment will be on the Eastern Shore.

Maria Fields, District Court Administrator Security concerns continue to be a major focus. The Bailiffs have been working on shoring up security.

The dockets are running somewhat behind, with Catonsville

January 2022

the most caught up, Towson not far behind, and Essex the least caught up. Cases are being scheduled through June and July of 2022.

Please feel free to call them if there are issues with your cases.

Raphael Santini asked that the Criminal Clerks be directed to give a copy of the Trial Summary to defense counsel as well as to the Defendant. Ms. Fields confirmed that she would make sure this happened.

OTHER REPORTS Office of Administrative Hearings, The Honorable William J.D. Somerville, III. No Report.

Executive Council, Stanford G. Gann, Jr. Imani Cook has been hired to lead the Lawyer Referral and Information Service and social media for the Bar Association. Please stop by and introduce yourself.

The Black-Tie Banquet will be on January 27, 2022, at Martin’s in Hunt Valley. Vaccines are required. Registrants will sign a certification of vaccination. Safety is the first priority.

Law Day will be Monday, May 2, 2022. There are terrific speakers lined up for this event.

Office of the State’s Attorney, Scott Schellenberger The Office is very busy. Three new ASAs have been hired with one more spot to be filled. Lisa Dever is now the head of the Circuit Court division.

Office of the Public Defender, James Dills The Office is very busy. The attorneys are carrying three-to (continued on page 20)

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Committee Reports four extra cases in their caseloads. There are approximately five attorney openings and three court staff openings that need to be filled.

Office of Law, Greg Gaskins No report.

Criminal Defense Bar, Leonard Shapiro There was a scenario raised about the procedures in an automobile manslaughter case where there was a Circuit Court indictment but a District Court bail hearing that resulted in some confusion that in turn resulted in a Defendant spending a weekend in jail unnecessarily. Scott Schellenberger advised that he would look into it.

Family Law Committee, Christine Malanga There is an upcoming program on January 12, 2022, at noon via Zoom about how to obtain Department of Social Services records in a family law case without drawing a Motion to Quash.

Harford County Liaison, Tyler Nowicki The Executive Committee has not met since September 2021.

District Court Judge Hazlett is working diligently to get matters scheduled and rescheduled after postponement promptly. The current time slots for cases will continue.

Monday through Thursday three courtrooms have criminal case dockets and the fourth has a combined domestic violence and bail review docket. On Fridays, three courtrooms have civil case dockets and the fourth has a combined domestic violence and bail review docket.

The Circuit Court is somewhat backlogged. There are three judges sitting in Civil and three in Criminal.

Jury selection will continue at the church in Abingdon.

Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Hossein Parvizian.

Baltimore City Liaison, Harry Chase

The Committee has a monthly speaker series on “What Diversity Means to Me”. Scott Schellenberger spoke on December 2, 2021, and Judges Jakubowski and BallouWatts will be speaking on January 6, 2022. The Committee is also working on its Summer Scholars Program, designed to help place law students with diverse backgrounds in summer internships in the legal community.

District Court trial dates are now being set in 2023. If you have filed a Motion and the requisite number of days have passed, you should call the Clerk’s office to follow up to get a ruling.

There was no new business and no old business to discuss.

A motion to adjourn was made, there was a second, and the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held via Zoom on January 13, 2022.

Young Lawyers Committee, Adam Konstas No report.

– Suzanne K. Farace, Esq.

Portrait Committee, Harry Chase Please refer to Tim Sheridan’s report, above.

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Click here to access or go to www.bcba.org January 2022

Committee Reports Diversity & Inclusion Committee: What Diversity Means to Me Event On December 2, 2021, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee was honored to have as its guest speaker the Honorable Scott Schellenberger, State’s Attorney for Baltimore County. Mr. Schellenberger spoke on the topic of what diversity meant to him and how diversity is included in his practice area.

In addition, Mr. Schellenberger is committed to treating all defendants charged by his office in a similar manner.

Mr. Schellenberger requires his Circuit Court ASAs to use the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines at all Circuit Court sentencing hearings to ensure transparency and fairness in sentencing.

Members of the BCBA, Baltimore County Employees, and members of the Judiciary all attended the meeting.

The meeting was also recorded for members unable to participate in the live presentation.

Mr. Schellenberger also noted that the use of police bodyworn cameras (BWC) has changed policing and prosecution for the better. The use of BWC sheds more light on the interaction between police and citizens. Mr. Schellenberger devoted a large staff to review the footage of these interactions. Based on these reviews, Mr. Schellenberger has reported improper conduct to the proper administrative authorities, which ultimately improves the relationship between the Baltimore County citizens and the police.

Mr. Schellenberger is committed to achieving a diverse team that reflects the population of Baltimore County. Mr. Schellenberger has instituted a “diversity hiring policy” in his office as it relates to attorneys and support staff. Mr. Schellenberger has reached out to both Maryland law schools for potential employees and plans to connect with local and specialty bar associations as well.

The biggest impediment Mr. Schellenberger encounters in implementing his policy is the salary disparity for his office as compared to other state agencies and the private sector.

Employee retention is also impacted by the limitations found in his office’s budget. As a result, Mr. Schellenberger will petition the County Executive and Council for an increase in the salaries of his Assistant State’s Attorneys (ASAs).

January 2022

The Diversity & Inclusion Committee invites you to join us for our next What Diversity Means to Me Event on January 6, 2022, when the Honorable Judge Ruth Ann Jakubowski and the Honorable Vicki Ballou-Watts will share their perspectives.

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– Raphael Santini, Esq.

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Stuart Axilbund Mary Chalawsky Marissa Joelson William Kerr Richard Lynas Jay Miller Gary Miles

saxilbund@axulbund.com chalawsky@gmail.com MJoelson@lawpga.com wlawkerr@verizon.net lynas.richard@yahoo.com JMiller@lawpga.com gary@lawhjm.com

Jose Molina

Sam Moxley

Joseph Murtha

Karen Pilarski

Bill Saltysiak Thomas Tompsett, Jr.

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jamolinalaw@gmail.com smoxley@baltimorecountymd.gov jmurtha@mpllawyers.com karenapilarski@gmail.com wsaltysiak@gmail.com tommy.tompsett@mdlobbyist.com

January 2022

Committee Reports Family Law Committee: Meet the Mediators On December 1, the Family Law Committee of the Baltimore County Bar Association (BCBA) hosted a panel to introduce BCBA members to the Circuit Court for Baltimore County’s Office of Family Mediation staff.

Featured speakers included Annamaria Walsh, Director of the Office of Family Mediation, and mediators, Anamari Anderson and Adrienne Mather.

Adrienne Mather, a long-time mediator in Baltimore County, discussed key tips for successful mediations. A critical reminder was that mediation is not legally binding and is an open space to share thoughts regarding the coparenting relationship. Furthermore, a benefit to counsel exists in discussing different options with clients prior to mediation on the issues of visitation and parenting time; this helps to circumvent impasses in mediation when one parent is refusing access of the child to the other parent.

Thus, when counsel introduces the idea of potential middleground options, it increases the chances of a successful mediation session.

Anamari Anderson shared the office’s dedication to remaining in contact with other mediation programs throughout the nation and the benefit of staying up to date with the latest research. The office remains vigilant in utilizing the best techniques to benefit clients and achieve successful mediation. In addition, Anderson discussed their commitment to establishing the best outcomes in domestic violence cases through yearly training, participation in research, and learning about the role of trauma in mediation.

In terms of tips for attorneys, Anderson mentioned that it can be beneficial for attorneys to be present for more challenging property mediation, including bankruptcy issues, as it allows for deeper and more streamlined conversations to be had.

She also clarified that in custody evaluations, mediators play

Anamari Anderson January 2022

two key roles: the facilitator and the mediator. During the social worker’s presentation of the child access evaluation report to the parties and counsel, the mediator acts as a neutral facilitator of the conference by moderating the conversation and allowing for clarifying questions to be asked of the social worker. At the conclusion of the social worker’s presentation, the parties are offered an opportunity to participate in mediation, if appropriate, and the mediator takes on her normal role. Anderson recommended that, for the best outcome, attorneys should come to mediation prepared with questions to jump-start the conversation and ready to express the needs and desires of their client.

Annamaria Walsh discussed that to prepare clients effectively, counsel should ensure their clients are comfortable and familiar with Zoom before the mediation session. In addition, the co-parenting classes should be completed before mediation so that parents have the background knowledge to discuss what is in their child’s best interest effectively. To prepare clients, attorneys can use the Maryland Parenting Plan tool and go through it with them on the various topics discussed. Attorneys should also brainstorm options with them and provide a “reality check” before the mediation begins. Furthermore, she discussed the need for attorneys to assist clients with creating a backup plan if the other parent has personal challenges, such as substance abuse or mental illness; if the other parent lapses in recovery, it’s helpful to have a plan in place for the benefit of the child.

For attorneys representing clients struggling with such challenges, she recommended preemptively discussing their options, such as evaluations or treatment programs and reasonable safeguards for seeing their child. Having clients take classes regarding childcare may also prove helpful in mediation so that both parents are confident that the child

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Adrienne Mather The Advocate

Annamaria Walsh 23

Committee Reports will be well cared for by the other. In addition, in discussions of child support, attorneys should ensure that clients have an accurate picture of their financial situation. Lastly, she discussed a new development in Baltimore County when intimate partner violence (“IPV”) issues are identified in a case slated for mediation. In these situations, attorneys or support persons will have the opportunity to attend with the client as a resource and a support system.

The Q&A session addressed other important considerations.

Walsh further discussed the role of mediators in the Custody Evaluation Report Hearing to facilitate the evaluation conference. Thereafter, the mediation will allow the party to engage in a mediation session to come to a potential solution.

She also provided some clarifications regarding screening cases for Intimate Partner Violence. The IPV screenings are conducted approximately two weeks before the scheduling conference. Furthermore, attorneys are encouraged to notify mediators if they are aware of any intimate partner violence,

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coercive control situations, or protective orders so mediators can better facilitate the clients’ needs. In certain circumstances, such as the existence of a current protective order, mediation may not be appropriate. Finally, in cases where clients bring an attorney or support person to the mediation, the other client is also encouraged to do the same.

The panel provided an excellent conversation regarding the role of mediators and how attorneys can better serve their clients when in preparation for mediation. In addition, the mediators emphasize the importance of framing the mediation conversation around children, asking clients to first and foremost consider what is best for their child and how to make this change as easy as possible for them.

The family law practitioners who attended this program agreed that it was beneficial in instructing them how best to prepare their clients for successful mediation. A great big thanks to the staff of the Office of Mediation!

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– Maria K. Caruso, Esq.

January 2022

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BCBA Spotlight Welcoming Magistrate Sidney Francois Magistrate Sidney Francois was recently appointed as a Magistrate in Baltimore County. A first-generation American, Magistrate Francois’s parents immigrated from Haiti to the United States. Magistrate Francois’s family’s contributions to Haiti are both profound and historical.

His maternal relative was promoted to General and later received a proclamation from Toussaint L’Ouverture for helping liberate Haiti from the French in 1804, making it the first independent nation of Latin America and the Caribbean. Magistrate Francois is proud of his roots, and his family received an award for supporting Haitian Studies at Kansas University by starting a Haitian studies fund there.

Magistrate Francois was born and raised in New York, where he attended the Lycée Francais de New York for high school. He was a member of the volleyball team while in high school. Additionally, he took the French Baccalaureate and received a Baccalaureate in Economics and Social Sciences from L’Academie de Caen.

After high school, Magistrate Francois attended Goucher College, where he was originally a pre-med major before switching to Communications, in which he received his Bachelor’s of Arts. During his freshman year, he was a walkon for the school’s basketball team and played one season with the team. In addition, he served as the copy editor for the school newspaper, the Quidecim, and was a writing tutor at the Writing Center. Always a scholar, Magistrate Francois was an Academic Consultant for the Academic Center for Excellence and a member of the Academic Emphasis Floor. Additionally, Magistrate Francois was a member of the Black Students’ Association. Magistrate Francois studied a semester abroad in Paris, France, in his

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Magistrate Sidney Francois senior year of college. It was in Paris where he actually was admitted into law school at the Sorbonne, Pantheon Assas Paris II after taking the entrance exam during his senior year of college. However, Magistrate Francois stated that it was not until after his semester in France that he seriously began considering a career in law.

Magistrate Francois decided to pursue a career in law because he wanted to be of public service and has a strong commitment to justice. With this mindset, he returned from France and attended the University of Baltimore School of Law. He graduated with a law degree with a double concentration

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January 2022

in Public and Governmental Services and Litigation and Advocacy. While at UB, Magistrate Francois served as a Student Bar Association Executive Council Representative for Faculty Appointments. Additionally, he was a Jessup Moot Court Board Editor for the Center for International and Comparative Law and a Student Fellow at the Center for International and Comparative Law. Finally, Magistrate Francois was a Moot Court Board Teaching Assistant and a Peer Advisor for the Orientation Committee.

After graduating and passing the bar exam, Magistrate Francois dedicated his career to public service. He has worked for the Office of the Attorney General as the Administrator of the Health Club Unit. Additionally, he has worked for the Legal Aid Bureau as a staff attorney representing children in Children In Need of Assistance (“CINA”) cases. He has also served as the Director of Grass Roots lobbying for MidAtlantic Lifespan. Magistrate Francois has also worked for

January 2022

the Office of the Public Defender as a staff attorney in the Parental Defense Division, handling their CINA cases, both in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Finally, Magistrate Francois has worked for the Department of Human Services as an agency attorney.

When Magistrate Francois is not on the bench, he enjoys listening to music. He listed Bruce Springsteen, The Police, The Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson, and Frank Sinatra as some of his favorite artists. Magistrate Francois also enjoys playing the guitar and reading books. He is also fluent in French and has a working knowledge of the Spanish language.

As a Family and Juvenile Magistrate, Magistrate Francois looks forward to continuing his service to the public and joining the family that is the Baltimore County Circuit Court.

Welcome, Magistrate Francois, and congratulations!

The Advocate

– Dylan Gerry, Esq.

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BCBA Events

Holiday Party Recap On December 9, the BCBA hosted its annual holiday party at Inverness Brewing in Monkton. The weather was chilly, but the holiday spirit kept everyone warm and cozy in the barn that hosted our festive group of revelers. The food and drinks were plentiful, as was the laughter and cheer shared among the attendees, all of whom were thrilled to be celebrating the holiday season in person.

The winner of the “most festive guest” contest was Jennifer Aist, who was decked out from head-to-toe in her holiday finest. Maria Caruso and Lou Carico were quite the pair as well dressed as elves, and Rob Erdman’s holiday-themed suit made yet another appearance this year. Plenty of other guests understood the assignment and dressed to impress.

Thank you to Ralph Sapia, who donated the prize for the most festive contest. There were many fantastic door prizes, but everyone took home the best gift of all, a souvenir fleece blanket featuring the BCBA’s logo.

Happy Holidays!

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The Advocate

– Tracee Orlove Fruman, Esq. January 2022

January 2022

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BCBA Events Memorial Service

Despite the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, on November 18, 2021, the Baltimore County Bar Association held its Annual Memorial and Recognition Ceremony. We forged forward honoring our recently departed members by holding the ceremony, for the second time, via Remote Video broadcasting. Ninety members of our Bar communally gathered to joyously remember the Honorable Alexandra Nichols Williams, Jack Sturgill, Norman Lowenstein, Edward L. Blanton, Jr., Christopher A. Hanson, Sr., Edward F. Seibert, and Harry D. Fox. The Ceremony was preceded by a cello performance by Ann Marie Codial.

The Honorable Dorothy Wilson opened our ceremony welcoming the families of our recently departed brothers and sisters of our Bar. Next, she paid homage to the late Honorable Alexandra N. Williams, noting that Judge Williams was the Administrative Judge of the District Court for Baltimore County prior to Judge Wilson’s ascending that position.

The Honorable Stacey A. Mayer then offered the invocation.

Judge Mayer beckoned us to remember “those who inspired us through their work and who nourished us with their love and friendship,” and that we should be thankful for the examples that they set and continue to challenge ourselves “to be worthy of them.”

Committee Chair Neil Thupari then invited everyone to join in a moment of silence for Christopher A. Hanson, Sr., Edward F. Seibert, and Harry D. Fox. The Honorable John F. Fader, II remembered Jack Sturgill, who passed away October 29, 2020, after a quiet and dignified battle with pancreatic cancer. He kept his cancer diagnosis private, “not wanting to make his illness the focus of his life.” Judge Fader recalled a youthful Jack Sturgill

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Harry D. Fox

who attended Calvert Hall College on a scholarship for swimming and football. Mr. Sturgill would late be inducted into the Calvert Hall Athletic Hall of Fame for swimming.

From Calvert Hall, Mr. Sturgill earned a scholarship to Towson University to play football. Later, he would earn his way through law school by teaching at Mercy High School, where he met his future wife, Marcy Hayes. After graduating from law school in 1974, Mr. Sturgill opened his law practice in 1975. He worked part-time in the Baltimore County Solicitor’s Office and quickly became a top-notch trial attorney. From there, he served as “Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland as Special Counsel for the Maryland Transit Administration and the State Highway Administration.” He was an inveterate traveler venturing to Hong Kong, Honolulu, Alaska, Singapore, Australia, London, among others. Ever the teacher, Mr. Sturgill also found time to teach business law at then Villa Julie, now Stevenson University, where he was an adjunct professor in the School of Business. He also taught various courses at Towson University. He was even called upon to be a visiting Assistant Professor at Loyola College Graduate School. Judge Fader remembered Mr. Sturgill not only for his accomplishments, but his quick wit and good sense of humor. Jack was humanely compassionate.

He cared for his grandmother, his mother-in-law, and his mother “in their times of late life needs and illness.” Marcy and Jack were married for 44 years, which he regarded as a “match made in heaven.” In closing his remarks, Judge Fader stated, “Jack, I’m looking at that smile in your picture, and many, many thanks for knowing you and for the great joy and competence that was yourself.”

Dana Williams delivered a heartwarming tribute to his wife, Alexandra “Sandy” Nichols Williams. She began her career in the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office,

Norman W. Lauenstein The Advocate

Edward F. Seibert January 2022

where she initially worked in the sex offense/child abuse unit under Dana Mark Levitz, previous to his appointment to the Bench. She became an accomplished trial lawyer, first in the District Court and then in the Circuit Court, where she tried many demanding and high-profile cases.

Sandy became the Chief of the District Court Division Chief, where she mentored many young lawyers. In 1994, Governor William Donald Schaefer appointed Sandy to the District Court Bench. In 2002, she earned the distinction of becoming the county’s first female Administrative Judge, where she remained until her retirement in 2016. Sandy was very active within the judiciary, participating in educational programs for new judges, various judicial committees, including her favorite, the Legislative Committee, which she vice-chaired. Within the Baltimore County Bar Association, she received the Judith P. Ritchie Award posthumously.

However, Sandy was most proud of her family, her brothers, her parents, her nephews, her grandnephew and niece, and most of all her children. She would have been “full of love for her grandson who was born three weeks after her passing and who bears the male version of her name, Alexander. He embodies her spirit in that he smiles all the time, and has affection for everyone around him, particularly his Pop Pop.” Over their 37 years of marriage, Dana learned many things about Sandy. Giving a rhododendron or a mailbox for an anniversary present is a bad idea. Likewise, giving her a minivan for carpooling for children’s sporting events was “not cool enough.” The payback, Sandy bought herself a BMW convertible instead. “On the other side of the coin, I quickly learned that jewelry was never a bad present.” What Dana ultimately learned was that it was best to give Sandy a trip somewhere – and then let her plan it. Sandy even schooled Dana on these trips. For instance, Sandy provided sensitivity training on a ski trip – she fell at the top of a

Jack R. Sturgill, Jr. January 2022

Hon. Alexandra ‘Sandy’ Williams

mountain. Dana diagnosed it as a “mere sprain,” and he continued skiing. Later that day, friends urged him to go to the clinic immediately. When Dana got there, he had no ID or credit cards, no medical cards, and Sandy let him know that his diagnosis of a sprain was “way wrong” – a broken bone. Despite their lengthy marriage, Dana continued to learn new things about Sandy, even after her passing. Sandy once told him that if you save all your $5 bills for one year, you will have enough money to buy yourself a nice present.

He never thought about her comment again. Recently, Dana was digging through some of her personal things. He discovered packages of five-dollar bills, each equaling one thousand dollars apiece. In addition, there was a shoebox with $687.00 worth of quarters. Sandy had this “quirky” habit despite the fact that she never wanted to know anything about their finances. Although the urge possessed her once, and she decided to take over the family finances. Proudly she boasted to Dana on what a great job she had done with the bank accounts and to “look how much money we have; I did a great job.” Of course, Sandy hadn’t paid the mortgage for the three months previous to that statement.

Young in life, Sandy taught horseback riding. She attended Denison University. After taking a class in bowling, the bowling coach got word of her 170 score and asked her to join the team. Sandy declined because “she thought it wasn’t cool enough for her.” That whimsical side played out again and again. She would get her into things like fly fishing and surfing, which, once accomplished, she would drop immediately thereafter. Physically, she was a tough person. She became an avid runner later in life. On a run just prior to her having to preside over a wedding ceremony for her nephew, she fell and broke her collarbone. Despite her pain, she performed the ceremony.

Dana remembered their wedding vows as “embarking on a great adventure that has no clear course, will not always go as planned, that will have highs and lows, and what you are actually promising to do today is to share that adventure and, come what may, do it together. Sandy and I shared that adventure for 37 plus years. And it was a great adventure.”

Douglas C. Lowenstein, Esquire, remembered his father, Norman Lowenstein, aged 93 at his passing. When he became a lawyer in 1955, the Supreme Court decided Brown v. Board of Education and the world of law was changing profoundly. He opened his law practice in Essex, initially sharing space with a general surgeon, a Cuban immigrant, Dr. Balais. Eventually, he opened his office at the Germania Federal Building on Eastern Boulevard also in Essex and stayed there his entire career. “He represented mostly (continued on page 33)

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people from Essex, and they loved him.” He was a general practitioner and practiced for many years with his partner, Mary Gephardt. The “political bug” bit Norman, and in 1966 he ran for State Senate, losing to Jim Pine. In 1974 Norman, along with Ted Venetoulis, Don Hutchinson, and Dennis Rasmussen, “swept out the old political guard,” and they served as County Councilmen for 16 years.

Norman was most proud of fighting for Federal funding for the Essex Co-op Senior Center High-Rise. Likewise, he proudly participated in the unfolding development of White Marsh so as to conserve it as much as possible in the face of population growth. Doug believed his dad loved politics because his dad loved “to throw a party. His fundraisers were always a good time, and after politics, he concentrated on his party planning on Family events.” He leaves behind three sons, two stepdaughters, his wife Joan, and many grandchildren. He died of COVID-19 just before he could get vaccinated. “He had a long life and lived life to its fullest, and we’ll miss Norman Lowenstein.”

Edward L. Blanton, Jr., was remembered by his mentee, Jamie Kane. By the time Mr. Blanton had hired Jamie in 1992, Ed had been practicing law for about 32 years. He passed away on Easter Sunday, 2021. On October 31, he would have celebrated his 90th birthday. Ed was a legal mentor to Jamie and a “dearest friend.” Mr. Blanton’s legal practice focused on complex civil litigation, estate planning, and tax law. “He was extremely gifted with incisive logic and wisdom.” He had an “overwhelmingly impressive” ability to narrow in on legal issues. As a lawyer, as a man, he was “controlled by faith, reason, and compassion.” He lived according to Christian principles, and he would not sit still quietly suffering injustice or incompetence. Long after his retirement, Ed sat second chair with Jamie at a jury trial in Baltimore County while Mr. Kane defended a person charged with a serious crime. During redirect examination by the Assistant State’s Attorney, Jamie repeatedly objected to a line of questions as being beyond the scope of cross examination. Although the Court continued to sustain the objections, the Assistant State’s Attorney continued defiantly, to the point that Ed, who had no speaking role in the trial, rose to his feet, pounded on the table, and objected loudly in front of the jury. The Court quietly thanked Mr. Blanton and assured him that the attorney handling the witness is the one who should be making the objection, but the Court would sustain his objection, anyway. Although he retired from practicing law in 2007, he retired to write a book “The Demise of the Common Law.” In that book, you will find his thoughts perfectly expressed on his views of the downfall and loss of dedication and character in our sacred institution

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on many levels. But Ed expresses the belief that it can and will be restored. Through his membership in the Bar, he cast the highest honors upon the honorable profession and brought dignity to the Court. He was married for 61 years to his wife Estelle, who survives him along with his three children and many grandchildren. Ed was remembered as a “beautiful man of spotless integrity with an enduring affection for family, friends and colleagues, his adversaries, the courts, and his beloved clients.”

The Honorable Phillip Tirabassi delivered the response from the Bench. He opened with an ancient Hebrew proverb: “Say not in grief that he or she is no more, but in thankfulness that he or she was.” Judge Tirabassi pronounced that what sets the Baltimore County Bar Association apart from so many others is this memorial service. From the time this association was started until now, we have always paused to remember our brothers and sisters who have gone ahead of us. “Our memories of our loved ones suddenly become more vivid.

We laugh over the silly times, and yeah, we even cry over all the touching moments we had.” Rhetorically he asked, “Aren’t we simply a better person for knowing our departed loved ones?” Judge Tirabassi singled out Judge Alexandra Williams as being not only a very unique individual, but one who had great compassion. He beckoned that all of us keep “Ed, Harry, Norman, Ed Seibert, Jack Sturgill, alive in our hearts.”

Mr. Thupari concluded by thanking all of those who spoke on behalf of our deceased brothers and sisters at the Bar and remarked how honored he was to have been asked to serve as the Chairman of the Memorial Committee. He extended thanks to the Honorable Judith C. Ensor, Vice-Chair of the Memorial Committee, and to Rachel Ruocco and Amber Gaines of the Baltimore County Bar Association for their hard work in putting together this second virtual service.

He then moved that the proceedings be transcribed and made part of the official record of this Court and of the Baltimore County Bar Association and that it be presented to the family of the departed members honored herein this day. Judge Wilson so granted the motion.

President of the Baltimore County Bar Association Stanford Gann fittingly ended the service by reciting a poem taught to him by his grandmother. “Around the Corner” captures the sad reality “that the swift and terrible race” that is life often leaves friends behind “until around the corner” we learn they have of late become “a vanished friend.”

With that, the proceedings were concluded. All and all, the ceremony was more than a virtual success.

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– Peter T. McDowell, Esq..

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In Memoriam Judge Thomas K. Bollinger, Sr., 1941 – 2021 School, graduating 1968. Tom joined the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office and served with such luminaries as Joe Murphy, Dana Levitz, Bob Dugan, and many others.

In 1976, Tom opened a private practice, in which he focused on criminal law. He also served as an Assistant Attorney for Baltimore County and, in 1985, was appointed to the County Board of Appeals, where he served for three years. He then was appointed as an Associate Judge on the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County. In 1990, he was appointed Associate Judge on the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, where he served until his retirement in 2011. Following his retirement, he served in the Settlement Court for Baltimore County until his death on Monday, October 4, 2021.

Judge Thomas K. Bollinger, Sr. Judge Bollinger was one in a million, and I’m proud to have been his Judicial Assistant for 23 years. His love of the law, constant stories, and knowledge that he was doing what was right - no matter the public outcry - made his staff look forward to every day we worked for him. Beyond our working relationship, Judge Bollinger and I were close friends and each other’s confidants. I’ll miss our regular phone calls filled with more stories and laughter, and I know there are hundreds of others who feel the same. He was larger-than-life for so many reasons, and he will be sorely missed.

Angela Miller Judicial Assistant to Tom Bollinger –––––––––– Thomas J. Bollinger, Sr. was a direct descendant of Patrick and Bridgett Flynn of County Mayo, Ireland. Tom’s grandmother, Margaret (Mag), was the eighth of their nine children. She arrived in Locust Point aboard the steamship Caspian in 1888. Feisty and warm, Mag married Wex Bollinger, a Dutchman who was also feisty. Tom, their grandson, born on June 6, 1941, possessed both of those traits. Tom attended Loyola High School (now Loyola Blakefield), graduating in 1959, and graduated from Loyola College (now Loyola University) in 1963. He then joined the Army through the ROTC program. Following his discharge, he attended the University of Baltimore Law 34

Tom grew up in a full house on Lake Avenue as the eighth of fifteen children. Once, presiding over a divorce case that involved the custody of two children, the mother, when asked why she should get custody, explained that in her house each child would have his/her own bedroom. Judge Bollinger observed that he did not have his own bedroom until he was divorced.

The Bollingers were in the roofing business and Tom spent many summers working for his father. Once in district court, a defendant, when asked what he did for a living, said he was a roofer. Judge Bollinger began to examine him on the intricacies of roofing. It soon became evident that the poor fellow was not exactly a roofer. At the end, he probably wished he had told Judge Bollinger he was unemployed.

While in the Army, Tom married Carol Jacobs. They had three children, Thomas Jr, Andrew (Drew) and Scott. That marriage ended in divorce. In 1984, he married Marguerite Hash Bollinger.

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by four brothers, Francis, Timothy, John and Harry; three sisters, Cyrilla Rohrer, Kathleen Pursufil and Mary C. King; nieces, nephews and greats - too many to even begin to name.

Judge J. Norris Byrnes –––––––––– Having known Tom for over 40 years, I am deeply saddened by his passing. He was a dear friend and mentor. His sense of humor in and outside the Courtroom is well known.

Appointed to the Board of Appeals in 1987, his meteoric rise to the District and later Circuit Court was not surprising to those who knew him well.

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As a jurist, he was assigned and presided over some of the more complex and controversial cases of our time.

He never refused or complained about a difficult assignment.

Tom enjoyed the respect of his friends and fellow jurists.

Tom was a lawyer’s judge – Never unduly delayed a decision and never embarrassed or criticized a lawyer in front of his client and for many young lawyers his advice and mentoring made all of them better lawyers.

His brilliance as a judge coincided with his empathy and compassion. Tom’s keen sense of justice and his ability to focus on the issues was phenomenal.

I will miss my friend very much. He taught me a lot and the world is a better place having Tom Bollinger pass through it.

Judge William R. Evans –––––––––– I reached out to several law clerks. Here are some thoughts from all of us.

Everyone consistently reports that being his law clerk allowed us to learn so much about practicing law – not only what to do, but almost more importantly, what not to do.

He was thoughtful and insightful about how his decisions would affect parties on all sides of the issues. He showed patience and civility to all parties and counsel, regardless of whether they were the “winners” or “losers.”

We all agreed that he was a great storyteller, whether it was about his past trial experiences or fishing and golfing exploits.

Some notable quotes: “Some days you want justice and some days you want mercy.”

“Don’t let your alligator mouth catch up to your hummingbird tail.”

“Make some concessions to the shortness of life.”

(Addressing counsel before him who goes on a bit too long.)

Overall, his law clerks all feel that our experience working for Judge Bollinger made us better lawyers, and better people.

Kate Turnbull Law Clerk to Judge Bollinger & Assistant State’s Attorney in Baltimore County –––––––––– Tom Bollinger was an ardent Catholic, or “Papist,” as his friend Gordon Boone called him. He brought the rigorous Jesuit training and discipline that he received throughout high school at Loyola Blakefield and at Loyola College to his January 2022

career as a lawyer and a judge.

Before ascending to the bench, Tommy was a winning, accomplished trial lawyer. He loved, according to our friend Joe Murphy, to work inspirational quotations into closing arguments: “the triumph of evil will not be prevented if honest men sit back and do nothing” and quotes from The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Tommy spoke often of his time in the States Attorney’s Office for Baltimore City working with Milton Allen, Howard Cardin, Joe Murphy, and Peter Ward.

Mainly, he will be missed by his legions of friends in our legal community, and the community, especially in Eastern Baltimore County, at large. He paved the way for many, many of the judges of the next generation who watched him judge with a gentility and quiet competency and great respect for the working class folks with whom he grew up. And, on Tommy’s behalf I would like to hurl a loud raspberry in the direction of The Baltimore Sun for creating a narrative about this good and decent man that was wholly and completely untrue.

Judge Robert E. Cahill, Jr. –––––––––– Before writing in praise of Judge Bollinger’s contributions to the bench and bar in his “professional” capacity as a lawyer and a judge, I pause to mention that Tommy Bollinger was the best shuffleboard partner I ever had and was the foreman of the (motley) crew of prosecutors and police officers that flawlessly moved the Murphy family’s furniture into our Wiltondale home 47 years ago. I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss two important facets of his remarkable career: (1) how great a trial lawyer he was, and (2) why the citizens of Maryland will continue to benefit from his judicial service.

On the basis of my personal observations as well as comments from judges then serving on the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City (now the Circuit Court for Baltimore City), I am able to confirm that Judge Bollinger was a magnificent trial lawyer. When I joined the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City in 1970, Assistant State’s Attorney Thomas J. Bollinger, Sr. was “the man to see.”

Newly appointed Assistants learned how to be persuasive advocates by watching him prosecute cases, and he was never too busy to help out any Assistant who sought his advice. In perhaps the most highly publicized of the major cases that he tried, he obtained a murder conviction against a member of the Black Panther Party who participated in an April 24, 1970 ambush of two Baltimore City police officers – one of whom was killed.

(continued on page 36)

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Upon entering private practice, Tom “hit the ground running,” and proved himself to be every bit as successful as he had been in public service. He had a keen eye for powerful language, and his closing arguments always included an inspirational or emotional quotation appropriate to the evidence presented. As a prosecutor, he often concluded his rebuttal argument with the following quotation (that most scholars have attributed to Edmund Burke): “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” When successfully defending an unfortunate young lady whose romantic relationship with a drug dealer landed her in federal court facing very serious charges, Tom concluded his final argument with the following quote from a William Sharp poem: “Here in the heart of Summer, sweet is life to me still, But my heart is a lonely hunter that hunts on a lonely hill.”

Although his judicial service began on the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County in February of 1989 and ended upon his attainment of “constitutional senility” in June of 2011, Tom continued to serve with distinction as a “Retired, Specially Assigned” Judge, appointed to that position by the Court of Appeals. I am persuaded beyond a reasonable doubt, however, that judges and lawyers and citizens will continue to benefit from his judicial service. My confidence is based upon the belief that our present trial judges set examples for our future trial judges. In the 1970s, there was unanimous agreement among trial lawyers that the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City was the finest bench in the State of Maryland. An Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City had the privilege of trying cases presided over by Chief Judge Sodaro, Chief Judge Grady, Judge Dorf, Judge Harris, Judge Howard, Judge Shirley Jones, Judge Levin, Judge James Murphy, Judge O’Donnell, Judge Prendegast, Judge Ross, and Judge Thomas. When Judge Bollinger moved from the trial table to the trial bench, he brought with him the collective wisdom and proper judicial techniques that he had learned from working with those outstanding judges. At this point in time, a few of the

lawyers who tried cases presided over by Judge Bollinger have now become judges, and they will be joined in the future by newly appointed judges who also had the privilege of appearing in Judge Bollinger’s courtroom. Thus, the high quality of justice provided by Judge Bollinger will extend well beyond his temporal life.

In the words of the Irish Blessing, May God hold the Honorable Thomas J. Bollinger, Sr. in the palm of His hands!

Judge Joseph F. Murphy, Jr. –––––––––– If you ask most judges or lawyers about Tom Bollinger, they talk about his depth of knowledge in criminal law, or his skills as a litigator or trial judge. His courtroom was the assignment that lawyers never complained about.

If you ask his close friends, you get hilarious stories, most of them all true, about antics during golf weekends, bar association trips, and dinners with spouses and friends. The common thread throughout these tales is a man who dearly loved his family and friends, and who knew how to have a good time.

While I knew and appreciated these qualities, what always struck me about Tom Bollinger was his humility. He never outgrew his roots. And he never took himself too seriously.

He had a good sense of people, and he could “judge” without seeming judgmental. He befriended and was close to the people who worked with and around him, and he treated them as extended family. He had an incredible memory for people and remembered small details that mattered to them. His people skills were truly impressive.

Tom was also a born raconteur. He usually had a twinkle in his eye, and he seemed to be as entertained by the telling as the listener was by the tale. He was a man who enjoyed people, was kind to those around him, and who was loyal to and cared deeply for his inner circle of family and friends.

Judge Kathleen G. Cox

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January 2022

Get Back on Track with the Vision You Once Had for Your Business Now is the time to regain perspective and become strategic to make your vision a reality.

Become the CEO of your firm, your career and your life. Now is the time to face reality, identify exactly where you want to take your practice and map out a course of action to make it happen.

Our Small Business Advisory is a coaching and accountability program delivered quarterly in which we provide the structure and tools necessary for you take a step back and see the “big picture.”

Growth Solutions Team’s Small Business Advisory Program provides you: Structure to map out your vision, goals and a plan to achieve them

Real world, “Boots on the Ground” help from our Team to get your practice where you want to go

Content designed to further your knowledge and apply it immediately in your role as the leader in your organization

Private, individual coaching sessions to hold you accountable

Interact with colleagues to share ideas and gain insight from their experiences

Direction on how to leverage your resources Strategies to seize opportunities and reach your potential

Accountability is your KEY to success!

Growth Solutions Team offers a wide variety of coaching solutions and tools for your practice to establish goals and help you meet them. Contact us today to determine the right solution for your practice. Because your practice is a BIG deal.

Phone: 443-501-2201 | Email: office@GSTeammail.com | GrowthSolutionsTeam.com

January 2022

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Wellness with Wendy Looking Ahead into 2022 – Future-Casting As we settle into a new year that looks a little uncertain at the onset, I encourage you to take some time to ask yourself what you want your 2022 to look like. Ironically, the first time I wrote about this topic was back in January 2020 when I wrote about the Vision Board I created and talked about all of my hopes, dreams, and excitement for the year to come (link to it here https://lawfullylean.com/2020/01/27/ vision-lets-get-a-little-deeper/). I bet right now you are thinking, “Oh poor Wendy, she didn’t see that storm coming, poor thing wrote a bright and shiny blog about a bright and shiny 2020 that never came into existence. I know how this story ends.”

Au contraire, my friends and colleagues.

As I write this article, I am looking at my board and as bonkers as this sounds, practically all of my short and medium-term goals came true and I am on my way to the long-term ones. From something as simple as finally having peonies in my garden and the color of my front door to things that solidify my family of 4, such as a tropical

vacation with my family, more intimacy with my partner, deepened friendships with true friends, a more prolific yoga practice, and (much) more time with my kiddos. Finally, the biggest, baddest, and scariest one came true when I finally stepped out of my comfort zone and became certified as a life coach and launched a new business, which has also opened the door to public speaking opportunities all over

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January 2022

Maryland. It all happened. While I am waiting on a mission trip to a third-world country, a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, international keynote speaking opportunities, and the kitchen of my dreams, I know I am merely waiting. The funny thing? The one notion that I kept coming back to in January 2020 when I was figuring out what I wanted the most and underpinned all of my goals was more time with my family. I wanted to ditch aftercare and have my kids be able to ride the bus home. Life has a funny way of working out. Fast forward to 2021 when the kiddos were finally back in school, we figured that if we could balance a whole year at home, surely we could manage to make sure someone was home from work an hour or so earlier.

I share this with you so that you don’t stop reading this article and think it is useless to even think about 2022 because who knows what uncertainty this year will bring. It is simply untrue to say you have zero control over 2022. It is extremely unfair to yourself to ignore that little voice that is telling you it wants something different. Do not rob yourself of what could be. Put away that voice that says it is pointless.

Stop that unhelpful thinking and read on.

When it comes to goal-setting, future-casting, dreaming, vision-boarding, there are a few key areas where you need to hone in: relationships, career, self, passion, and LIFE. (The book I reference in my blog goes into great depth and I encourage you to purchase the book and do the suggested exercises if you want to get really deep here). However, if you are just willing to spend a little bit of time on this exercise (which will still pay off), I am going to simplify it a bit.

I want you to get intentional and focus on several areas, asking yourself these questions as you go along. Get out a pen and paper (or open a new word doc on your computer) and ask yourself these questions. At the end of each topic, write out at least two things you will do differently in 2022, making sure to detail how you will remind yourself of these goals (hint: your Outlook calendar, yearly planner, and phone alarms are about to get a workout).

Relationships - What relationships matter most to me?

- Am I giving those relationships the best of me?

- What can I do to better pour into those relationships?

What small action steps can I take? What do I need to give up to be a better partner/parent/friend/colleague?

- How can I remind myself of this?

Example: My spouse. No, I tend to put work first and leave my spouse last when I am already depleted and tired and comatose on the couch. I need to give my spouse more time and attention when I am at my best. I January 2022

can make sure I put him/her first at least once a week in an affirmative way. I am going to approach him or her about instituting a weekly date night where we do not talk about work, I do not check my emails, and he/she has my undivided attention. I am going to calendar this right now so it is a recurring event on my calendar. I am also going to go to the next step and arrange recurring childcare right now so everything is in place and ready.

Career - How am I doing in my career?

- Do I love the work I am doing? Am I happy where I am?

Why or why not?

- What can I do to prove to my bosses and partners I am ready for a raise or a partnership? What can I do if I realize I am ready to practice a new area of law, grow my solo practice, leave my firm, or grow in my role?

- What small steps do I need to take to ensure I am working toward the right goals?

- How can I remind myself of this?

Example: I am an associate and ready to take on more. I love litigating and want to take on more of a lead in cases. My firm wants to see me grow my book of business before they offer me a partnership. I also need to work on my hours and make sure I am proving to my partners I am worthy of this role and take the firm’s financial needs seriously. I need to start with the basics. I need to make sure I am doing what I need to do to hit my hourly targets on a monthly basis. I need to bill 1,200 hours to make my goal. That is 4.9 hours per day (five-day week) over 49 weeks a year (three weeks of vacation). I know that during my trial-heavy weeks I will bill more, but I still need to make sure I am getting in at least five billables a day so I know I am on track. I am going to stop procrastinating on those projects I hate working on at work and turn off all social media. I will start every morning with the one task I do not want to do. I know I want to work on my relationships with _______ (see above) and I know I need to get my work done; therefore I will not waste my precious time at work dilly-dallying and will focus on a written to-do list each day. I am also going to set a goal of one networking event each month where I will not allow myself to chat with my friends until I meet at least two new people and exchange information with them. I am going to set a reminder on my calendar to check in on my hours each day, week, and month. I am also going to write a written reminder on all of my networking events to talk to two new people.

Note: I could go on and on with this topic and spend a good amount of time here in my life coaching and law firm consulting work. I don’t want to give away all of my secrets, but there are some nuggets there.

If you are ready to unpack those further, reach out to me so we can get started! (continued on page 40)

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Wellness with Wendy Self

Passion/Life

- Am I treating my body right? How am I fueling myself daily? Am I eating whole foods or getting by on sugar and snacks? Am I fooling myself and telling myself veggie straws are healthy because they have the word veggie in them?

- Am I actually doing something I love that is for me?

- Am I working out? Am I moving for 30 minutes a day?

- Am I giving myself time to unwind and destress?

- How are my good habits affecting me? What can I do to keep them?

- How are my bad habits affecting me? Is it so bad I don’t even want to go in for an annual physical?

- How can I remind myself of this?

Example: I try to workout and try to eat clean. However, if I actually tracked it, I realize that while I get in two runs a week and eat healthy only sometimes, I am also decompressing in an unhealthy way and relying on wine and bourbon and undoing the good work I do other times. When I drink at night, I forego my workout and just say I will get around to it another time. I have not even thought about meditation as a way to unwind – it sounds too “woo woo.” However, I know if I keep going like this, I am going to continue to gain weight, feel icky, and I am ready to approach this year differently and with less stress.

I am going to cut out booze on weekdays. I am going to work out first thing every morning before I can think of anything else. I am going to start small with these two steps. While meditation sounds scary, I think I can start some yoga and try to lean deep into that last pose they call shivasana, it is a start, right? I am going to set three alarms right now for my weekdays. One at 6PM to remind myself I want to feel amazing tomorrow (aka no booze), one at 9PM to tell me to go to bed/get ready for bed, and one at 6AM to wake up and workout. I am going to make this recurring. I am going to take note of the days I follow this and feel amazing. I am going to jot down those notes and add it to my 6 PM alarm so my future self will thank me. I am also going to take note of the mornings I wake up and feel icky.

Note: I have been working on this area with folks for years now and could also go on and on about this topic. I am here when you are ready to get intentional and have already had the pleasure of working with many of you to get healthy! I firmly believe these two actions are the cornerstones to all of it (going to bed and working out). Once those two things snap in place, the rest of everything else is so much easier. I encourage you to just start with something small and take note of how you feel every morning when you wake up, thinking about your choices the night before.

40

- Do I have a hobby? What did I used to like to do? What do I wish I could do more of ? What makes me smile?

- What events do I want to go to? What looks really fun, but I am sort of nervous to go?

- Where do I want to travel? What sort of travel will make me feel alive as a human being?

- Am I surrounding myself with the people I actually want to be with? Who do I want to know better?

Example: I get so wrapped up in being a lawyer and a mom, that I don’t even know what I like anymore. Before life got so hectic, I really enjoyed cooking and making meals for my friends. If I had the time, I would sign up for a cooking class. I also would love to have small gatherings again and see friends that I would like to get to know better. I remember when my parents had dinner parties and everyone would hang around the table laughing, talking, and not leaving until late at night.

I realize I am now at the age they were when that was happening and want to start that too. I am going to research one-day cooking classes that look fun. I am going to plan on having a dinner party every other month and invite friends whom I think will get along. I will look at my calendar right now and pick six weekends over the course of a year that I can plan these and make sure I have them marked off. I am ready to choose how I fill my weekend time rather than have invitations from others take over what I really want to do/spend another weekend on the couch with a “movie night” because we were too tired to think of anything else.

Note: While the other examples above were largely fictional and based on the work I do with others, this one is me!

If you are too busy to do the homework and thought processes above as you are reading this, I ask that you come back to this. Many of the lawyers I work with who are at the top of their game do this on a yearly basis. The success you see in others didn’t “just happen.” It was not given to them, it didn’t fall in their lap, they didn’t wake up one day and everything clicked. For the person you see whom you admire in your field, that person did the work. They had a vision, they figured out small steps to move them in the right direction, and they didn’t stop taking them.

What part of future-casting for 2022 excites you the most?

Start there! If you are up for it, I would love to hear about your plans for 2022!

The Advocate

– Wendy Meadows, Esq.

January 2022

Missing Out on Great Events Like This One?

Make sure your email address is up-to-date in the BCBA directory!

January 2022

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Baltimore County Bar Association Diversity and Inclusion Committee What Diversity Means to Me Thursday, January 6, 2022 5:30 pm

SPEAKERS

Administrative Judge Ruth Ann Jakubowski and Judge Vicki Ballou-Watts

PROGRAM CHAIR

Raphael J. Santini

LOCATION

Zoom

COST

BCBA Members, Free; Non-Members, Free

REGISTRATION

Registration Required. Click HERE to register.

Link emailed upon registration.

Judge Jakubowski and Judge Ballou-Watts will speak on the topic of “What Diversity Means to Me!” As well as Diversity & Inclusion in Law.

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January 2022

Baltimore County Bar Association Family Law Committee

DSS Records: I Can Get Records Without a Motion to Quash?

Wednesday, January 12, 2022 12:00 pm SPEAKERS

PROGRAM CHAIR

The Honorable Judith C. Ensor, Circuit Court for Baltimore County Jane Gehring, Assistant Director for Family Services, Baltimore County Department of Social Services Bambi Glenn, Lead Counsel, Baltimore County Department of Social Services Christine Malanga

LOCATION

Zoom

COST

BCBA Members, Free; Non-Members, Free

REGISTRATION

Registration Required. Click HERE to register.

Link emailed upon registration.

Learn which records are available and how to obtain them from the Baltimore County Department of Social Services from Ms. Gehring and Ms. Glenn. Then, Judge Ensor will share the best practices for presenting DSS records to the Court for an in-camera review and/or for admission into evidence.

January 2022

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Baltimore County Bar Association CLE Committee

Grammar: The Good, the Bad, and the “Plane” Sloppy Thursday, January 13, 2022 5:30 - 7:30pm

SPEAKERS

Tracee Fruman, Esquire Kelli Lakis, KML CONSULTING: Research, Writing, and Editing

PROGRAM CHAIR

Ralph Sapia, Esquire

LOCATION

Zoom

COST

BCBA Members, Free; Non-Members, Free

REGISTRATION

Registration Required. Click HERE to register.

Link emailed upon registration.

The program will provide attendees an opportunity to address common errors made by legal and non-legal professionals.

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January 2022

WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE NEXT

BCBA

Champion!

Do you have what it takes to beat the best?

February 18 – Deadline to register to compete February 23 – Mystery ingredient delivery, at-home cooking March 1 – Online voting begins March 9 – LIVE results show! $50 entrance fee To register email Amber at againes@bcba.org or call 410-337-9102 All proceeds to benefit The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools

January 2022

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The Advocate

January 2022

Baltimore County Bar Association

SAVE the DATE

Stated Meetings: 10/21/21 2/17/22 6/16/22

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     Aberdeen Ironbirds Game and Crab Feast August 21 6pm

Party in the Plaza: Celebrating 100 Years of the BCBA

Ravens Tailgate

Law Clerk Orientation & BCBA Happy Hour The Pointe, Towson September 30

October 17

September 23

Memorial Service Zoom November 18 3:30p.m.

Black Tie Banquet Martin's Valley Mansion

Young Lawyers Holiday Lunch December 2 12-2pm

January 2022

December 9

BCBA Chopped Champion Live Results Show

Bowling Outing February TBD

March 9 6pm

January 27

Law Day Breakfast & Noon Ceremonies May 2

Holiday Party

Golf Tournament TBD

Bar Wars Team Trivia Barley’s Backyard in Towson April 5

Young Lawyers Field Day TBD

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47

Baltimore County Bar Association

Presort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1262 Baltimore, MD

100 County Courts Building 401 Bosley Avenue Towson, MD 21204-4491 (T) 410-337-9103 (F) 410-823-3418 www.bcba.org

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Office Space Available; 1007 Frederick Road; one to four rooms. Prime location along Frederick Road with signage. Call 410-744-3256.

Office Space for Rent. 1002 Frederick Road, 2nd floor office. Private entrance, semi-private restroom, use of conference room and kitchen on first floor.

Free parking. Would be a great satellite office. Please contact Lou Weinkam, Jr. at 410-744-3256, ext 103.

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Offices to rent: Share space with two solo Family Law practitioners. One or two offices available in a convenient office park off Red Run Boulevard.

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Two offices to rent. We are a block from the courthouse. Use of office, telephone, copier, and fax, plus secretarial space are included. Call Frank at 410-296-6820.

Nicely furnished office space with parking, half block from circuit court.

Pete McDowell 410-960-2536.

Two to three offices within existing office space, just below 695, free parking, furnished if desired, use of telephone, copier, fax, conference room, Internet, paralegal/secretarial help available. Anne 410-337-8577 303 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson across Bosley Avenue from the Circuit Court Building, three offices with bathroom on the second floor, 3rd floor four offices available, conference room, bathroom, and kitchen on first floor, free parking space available, rent negotiable $50-$100 less than comparable spaces. $400-$500 per office, great satellite office with possibility of overflow work. Contact Joe Glass at 410-823-4214 or 410-790-1980.

HIRING Small firm in Towson looking for an experienced, part-time legal assistant/ secretary two to three days a week.

Any experienced candidates should contact Robert Jacobson at 410-583-8883.

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