Message from the Chair

BY ELIZABETH ROSEN, SECTION CHAIR (EMROSEN09@GMAIL.COM)

I can certainly admit that I did not picture my year as Chair of the Young Lawyers’ Section (YLS) to look quite like this. Even among all the adjustments we have undergone in our personal and professional lives, some things remain consistent: the YLS is here for you. We continue to offer programming spanning all different arenas: Civic Engagement, Education, Family Friendly, Wellness, and more. Our upcoming events can be found at msba.org and I encourage all our members to stop by and see what we are up to. We welcome any suggestions as we press onward.

I want to begin by extending a warm congratulations to all the law school graduates who recently sat for a unique bar exam experience and wish them all the best as they take one step toward beginning their careers as attorneys. Likewise, I am constantly thinking of our law students as they resume their studies in this evolving environment. The YLS has hosted coffee talks with current law students to keep a finger on the pulse of how things are going. The YLS also looks for opportunities to enhance and support the law schools. Both law school graduates and current law students are eligible for MSBA membership, and I encourage you to take advantage of all the programming available to learn and make connections with other MSBA members. As the bar year gets into full swing, I want to take a moment to highlight the addition of the Civic Engagement Committee to our incredible YLS committees. This Committee is responsible for organizing and planning events to encourage young lawyers’ participation and involvement in addressing issues of public concern. As the next generation of attorneys, we are change agents. Through this Committee, I hope to educate our membership on getting a seat at the table, whether it be by serving as a delegate, council member, lobbyist, or otherwise. Young lawyers are sitting on boards and making their voices heard and I am eager to provide a sounding board for this energy.

This year’s charity is the Community Law Center. The Center is a legal services organization for non-profits throughout the state of Maryland that provides learning opportunities and direct legal representation for neighborhoodled groups, community associations, grassroots organizations, and small nonprofits in Maryland.

As we begin emerging out of the pandemic’s shadow, I wish everyone health and happiness. I anxiously await the time when it is safe for us to meet in person but look forward to seeing you all virtually soon.