Criminal Law Update

HOW YOU CAN INCORPORATE THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTER OF BALTIMORE COUNTY’S SERVICES INTO YOUR PRACTICE

The Conflict Resolution Center of Baltimore County (CRCBC) is a non-profit that supports the resolution of interpersonal and community conflict through Community Mediation, Community Conferencing, Conflict Coaching, Facilitation and Dialogue services, Individualized Education Plan facilitation, and training/education. Their services are free and available to all persons and organizations in Baltimore County, at convenient times; and, currently offered virtually. Community Mediation and Community Conferencing work by providing a space and structure for people in conflict to have a productive conversation with each other. Their staff serve as impartial facilitators of confidential, problem-solving processes that help participants communicate clearly and develop agreeable solutions for everyone involved. Cases are typically handled on a two-week turnaround (assuming client availability). All communications with their staff and volunteers, as well as the case sessions themselves, are confidential, neutral, and voluntary. This applies to the entire process, from the first call to the center, through the end of a case. Recent examples of Community Mediation cases include co-parents successfully developing coparenting plans; adult children gaining access to visit with their elderly parent previously barred by other family members; home contractors settling disputes with clients; and, landlords and tenants settling past due rent and security deposit issues, among others. Their Conflict Coaching service provides the one-onone support of a neutral party to help an individual think through the context of their conflict and how they want to move through it productively. Referrals suitable for conflict coaching range from personal conflicts to workplace issues, to client/provider issues.

Their trainings on how to be comfortable with conflict; emotions at work; conflict management; how to emotionally prepare your client for mediation; and, client autonomy and mediation, among others, have enabled participants to reap the benefits of practicing conflict resolution skills in their daily lives. Finally, they have a limited number of volunteer mediator opportunities (required to be trained in mediation by CRCBC) for attorneys that may fulfill the court’s emphasis on all lawyers providing pro bono services to their community. Donating to CRCBC, as a nonprofit the supports the improvement of the administration of justice, may also fulfill Rule 19-306.1’s pro bono requirements. CRCBC has successfully served Baltimore County for the past twelve years; up to 95% of their handled cases reach an agreement. They are proud to help the community de-escalate and resolve conflicts at their source and urge you contact them: mediation@crcbaltimorecounty.org; conferencing@crcbaltimorecounty.org; 443-2977897; crcbaltimorecounty.org.

Recent examples of Community Conferencing cases include teen theft of a package on a front stoop. The conference resulted in restitution for the package owner and agreement to drop the charges against the youth. In another case, neighbors were referred after seeking a Peace Order against each other due to continued harassment and verbal threats made by one couple’s children. The conference allowed each person to say how they had been affected by the other person’s actions. The participants reached a successful agreement, which included deeming a Peace Order unnecessary.

BCBA WELCOMES OUR FIRST SUMMER SCHOLARS

One of the goals of the Baltimore County Bar Association’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee (“D&I Committee”) is to ensure that law firms in Baltimore County have the most diverse and qualified applicant pools when they are considering their hiring needs. To achieve this goal, the D&I Committee created the Summer Scholars Program, which is designed to place diverse applicants in summer internships with law firms in Baltimore County. After reviewing over 50 applicants from law schools throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia, as well as an extensive interviewing process, five candidates were placed with the participating law firms. The law student and matching law firms are as follows:

Ifenanya Agwu (Howard University School of Law) – Bowie & Jensen, LLC Briah Gray (University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law) – Levin & Gann, P.A. Joslyn L. Joy (University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law) – Whiteford, Taylor & Preston

Darnisha Mitchell (University of Baltimore School of Law) – Turnbull, Nicholson, & Sanders, P.A. Leah Rowell (University of Baltimore School of Law) – Mintzer Sarowitz Zeris Ledva & Meyers L.L.P.

In addition to performing legal work on behalf of the respective law firms, the program includes a mentoring component, networking opportunities, and an orientation to prepare each candidate for a successful summer associate experience. The Baltimore County Bar Association wants to welcome the inaugural Summer Scholars Class to our legal community and to thank the participating law firms for being a part of the program.