THE
ADVOCATE
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
Message from the chair
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Committee updates 5. Technology Committee 6. Public Service Committee 7. Wellness Committee 9. Activities Committee 10. ABA Report
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Wellness Sidebar: Be Smart Eat Smart 12. Breakfast on the Go Tips 14. Apple Cider Chicken Recipe 15. Quick Apple Slaw
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The Young Lawyers Section Acknowledges National Native American Heritage Month 18. Butternut Squash Chocolate Maple Pudding Riding the Circuits Announcements 21. Young Lawyers Section Partners with Lawyers’ Campaign Against Hunger 22. Charm City Trivia
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR BY JESSICA M. GORSKY, SECTION CHAIR (JGORSKY@WTPLAW.COM) Greetings, I’d like to welcome everyone back to what we expect to be an exciting new year for the Young Lawyers Section (YLS)! Pandemic or not, YLS continues its commitment to bringing quality programming, helpful resources, networking connections and more, to all of our Section Members. I would be remiss if I did not mention the elephant in the room - namely the COVID-19 pandemic which has turned the world upside down for the past year and a half. For better or worse, the effects of the pandemic have spanned much of our personal and professional lives. Despite this, YLS continues to work hard to not just develop programming of the quality that our members have come to expect, but to continue to build and foster connections and comradery among our members and within our legal community. Our dedicated and enthusiastic Section Council committee chairs have already been steadfast in their efforts to plan events and activities which we hope will continue to meet the varied needs of our membership. Whether you are seeking social engagement, networking opportunities, education on an array of legal topics, serving your community,
pro bono opportunities or enhancing your mental and physical wellness - we have something for you! It is the honor and privilege of each YLS Chair to choose a charity for our Section to collectively sponsor for the year. This year, it is my honor to select the Lawyers’ Campaign Against Hunger (LCAH) through the Maryland Food Bank. Since 1987, LCAH has served as a philanthropic pillar of the legal community bringing dedicated Maryland attorneys together to combat food insecurity throughout Maryland. The 2021 Campaign will celebrate the successes of the last 34 years and a commitment to a continued partnership with the Maryland Food Bank (MFB) to improve the lives of all Marylanders in need. The legal community has raised more than $6 million to support Maryland households struggling with hunger since LCAH launched. MFB is committed to expanding food access while providing the estimated 1 in 3 foodinsecure Marylanders with resources to help build pathways out of hunger. For more information on LCAH, please check out their website here: https:// mdfoodbank.org/lawyers-campaignagainst-hunger/.
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In honor of our partnership with the Lawyers’ Campaign Against Hunger and the Maryland Food Bank, YLS will be hosting our annual charity event on Friday, April 22, 2022 - stay tuned for more details throughout the upcoming year. In the interim, we strongly encourage all of our members to join with YLS to extend our support to LCAH and their amazing work to fight the battle against hunger in Maryland which has only been exacerbated by the pandemic.
to meet the needs of all Maryland young lawyers, which can be submitted to me directly at jgorsky@wtplaw. Thank you all for allowing me the opportunity to serve you as your Chair this year. While it may be some time until we are able to reconvene safely in person, I am so eager and excited to see us all come back together virtually.
Jessica M. Gorsky, Esq
Lastly as your Chair this year, it is my goal to make sure that all of our members are provided with opportunities to engage, learn and grow - whether that means in-person or virtually. To that end, for us to serve you better, we need your input. We welcome all of our members to check out the exciting events and activities offered by YLS on msba. org and through our Section’s listserv on MSBA Connect. We also value your suggestions on how YLS can continue
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION Hosted by the Technology Committee
On August 25th, the technology committee hosted a virtual event on Artificial Intelligence. The presentation featured The Honorable Paul Grimm and Professor Maura Grossman. It was a fascinating 90 minutes discussing the use of AI as evidence in different types of legal settings. As emerging technologies advance and grow, the use and implementation of artificial intelligence will become more and more applicable to our daily lives. Understanding how different technologies can be used in our daily practice, and the potential application of a Daubert framework for admissibility, can set young lawyers apart as they develop in their careers. Judge Grimm and Professor Grossman are at the forefront of this integration between technology and the law and are invaluable resource for future questions on these issues.
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PUBLIC SERVICE EVENT AT CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION’S CLAGETT FARM Nine lawyers and law students from the Young Lawyers Section and the Maryland Public Interest Law Project at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law volunteered at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Clagett Farm. They spent at least three hours on Saturday morning, September 18 harvesting large buckets of vegetables including okra and peppers. After volunteering her time on the farm, Jessica Gorsky, YLS Chair, felt energized and invigorated. The group was one of many volunteer groups on the farm who dug their hands in to pick fresh healthy vegetables that will be distributed to local communities throughout the Capital Area Food Bank. They also interacted with the workers and learned firsthand how Clagett Farm is able to provide food to people of all income levels. Those vegetables the volunteers harvested are part of Clagett Farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. The program collaborates with the Capitol Area Food Bank to provide nutritious, flavorful fresh vegetables to people in poverty or near-poverty in Washington D.C. Clagett Farm uses farming methods that are both economically and environmentally sustainable. It also uses practices that improve soil health and water quality and help mitigate climate change. Approximately 20 acres of the 283-acre farm is dedicated to the CSA program.
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MSBA YLS WELLNESS COMMITTEE Chair: Genna Hoy
This Bar year, the Wellness Committee is excited to continue with monthly virtual exercises as we have done in prior years. This year, though, we will be focusing on Barre which is great for both men and women; and we will be hosting these once a month during lunchtime where you can use your desk or desk chair for your “barre” during your breaktime. Stay tuned for more details for “Barred Lawyers at Lunch” The Wellness Committee will also be taking a more holistic approach to wellness this year, and will bring focus to mental and emotional wellness, as well as financial wellness. Some upcoming events to keep an eye on: •
Partnering with MSBA LAP (Lawyer Assistance Program) to provide a small group discussion with therapists from LAP who are trained and practiced in lawyer mental health with fellow members in an intimate virtual setting to talk about common issues young lawyers face (stress; burn out; substance abuse, depression, anxiety).
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Parental / Caretaker Panel discussing the challenges new parents face, and how to navigate HR, family benefits – if available – as well as how to balance professional and personal lives for parents/caretakers of all ages.
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Discussion event with Judges, ASAs, and PDs regarding compassion fatigue and stress management for young lawyers who work in criminal justice and how court procedures can support or diminish mental health.
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Financial Literacy and Wellness Workshop
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Resolution Bingo with prizes*!!
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Wellness SIDEBAR: Be Smart Eat Smart recipes in each issue of The Advocate for seasonal quick and easy while also healthy meal ideas for the busy lawyer on the go.
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Stay tuned for a healthy eats recipe competition!
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We will also be continuing last years Peloton cycling group!
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This year, every Wednesday evening, join fellow lawyers and ride the LIVE class that evening! The class will be the first one starting at 6pm or right after to give everyone time to get home from work and clip in. Check the schedule on your app and add it to your schedule as a reminder! To ride along, simply click on “add tags” under your profile settings and find #MSBAYLS and join the ride and send high fives! If you are unsure if which LIVE class, please feel free to message (gennahoy@outlook.com). If you don’t have a Peloton bike, you can still join and pay a lesser amount for the Peloton app and join us with any cycling bike! Peloton also offers a free 30 day trial, as well as special pricing/month for students, first responders, military and veterans (and their immediate families), educators, and medical providers.
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31ST ANNUAL CHARITY EVENT The Activities Committee is excited to begin planning the 31st Annual Charity Event to take place in April 2022. The beneficiary of the 31st Annual Charity Event is the Maryland Food Bank, which has been leading the fight against hunger in Maryland since 1979. We are currently seeking volunteers to join the Committee and help plan another successful and memorable Charity Event. If you are interested in joining the Committee, or know someone who may be interested, please contact the Activities Committee chairs, Ashley Fellolna (ashley.fellona@saul.com) and Emily Greene (egreene@kg-law.com).
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ABA REPORT By: Chris Jennison
The MSBA YLS sent a full delegation to the ABA Young Lawyers Division Assembly, held on August 6, 2021, virtually •
A resolution was passed which would increase each state’s delegate number to the Assembly, so the MSBA will have at least one seat more going forward in the YLD Assembly.
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A resolution drafted by YLS councilmember Heather Krick was adopted that urges law firms to use financial institutions that fund or otherwise invest in infrastructure projects near tribal, low- income, and marginalized communities of color after project owners have obtained legal permits with proper consultations and feedback with tribes or communities in surrounding areas, including nation to nation consultations with tribal leaders, as required by appropriate federal laws, and further urges law firms to conduct their banking with financial institutions that incorporate transparent procedures that review the environmental impacts of infrastructure projects, such as fossil fuel pipelines, on surrounding tribal communities, low-income, and marginalized communities of color.
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A resolution was adopted that urges all bar admissions authorities, law schools, bar associations, and legal employers to develop clear, specific, and uniform written policies that provide reasonable and accessible accommodations to lactating individuals, including: making such written policies publicly available and accessible online; providing reasonable and supportive accommodations to express milk; and in an examination context, permitting examinees to bring their pumping equipment and expressed milk into the examination room.
The YLD’s fall meeting will be held virtually, more details to come.
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The ABA is hosting a Student Debt Week of Action from Sept. 20-24. Join us for a student debt week of action on September 20-24, 2021. The ABA is working with several organizations during the week of September 20th to bring attention to the need for additional student loan debt relief, including through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join us to learn more about the student debt crisis and get resources to help you reach out to your elected officials to ask them to address this critical issue. The ABA is hosting its inaugural Equity Summit, virtually from September 27-30, 2021, including a conversation with Justice Sotomayor. The House of Delegates adopted a resolution drafted by the YLD that urges Congress to enact legislation to amend the U.S. Bankruptcy code to permit student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy without needing to prove undue hardship. The Midyear meeting is slated currently to be in person in Seattle in February. Stay tuned for information about serving as an MSBA YLS Delegate to the ABA YLD.
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WELLNESS SIDEBAR:
BE SMART EAT SMART
Don’t “Bail” on Breakfast – tips for breakfast on the go for the busy layer Do you feel like sitting down and enjoying a healthy breakfast is just a distant memory? For many of us, the mornings come with a mad rush. And if we’re lucky, we have a few spare moments to brew or stop for that very important cup of coffee. So, how are we supposed to find time to make breakfast? Here are four tips on making a healthy breakfast and enjoying breakfast on the go. Because proper nutrition is important, and eating the right foods is an act of self-care.
#1 Preparation Prepping is the key to success when it comes to having time to enjoy a healthy breakfast on the go. Try setting aside as much spare time as you have on a weekend day. If that doesn’t work for you, just do it whenever you have time! Some ideas: put fruit in resealable bags and toss them in the freezer for a quick on-the-go smoothie in the morning. Bake a batch of blueberry muffins or egg muffins Sunday during halftime of the Ravens game that will last for the week. Pre-measure your oats in masonstyle jars and make overnight oats to grab the next morning. The more you prep, the lower your stress when it comes time to figuring out what you are going to eat before the craziness of the day begins.
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#2 Wake up 10-Minutes Earlier Waking up any earlier than you already do sounds like a totally painful idea. However, getting up and fueling your body before your day begins may be your secret weapon to more energy throughout the day. So, while you may cut your much needed sleep by 10-minutes, it will pay off! If you need a little extra motivation to get out of bed, make sure your breakfast is extra yummy! You can enjoy a healthy breakfast and have it taste good: add some raw cacao nibs to a smoothie or bowl of oatmeal, or add an extra scoop of almond butter to that piece of toast. Do what you need to do to get excited about breakfast (while being healthy of course!)
#3 Stock up on Quality Storage Containers If you find the only way you get a solid breakfast in each day is to eat on the go, it’s better than not eating anything at all. But, to make your life easier, so you aren’t dripping almond butter, or spilling your morning smoothie all over the car seat, invest in some on-the-go storage containers. Things like Mason jars, glass Tupperware, and reusable straws will help make your mornings ten times easier.
#4 Make it Work-Friendly Still finding it hard to squeeze in a healthy breakfast and getting yourself to work on time? Try taking breakfast on the go by packing it up and making it workfriendly. Pack a bowl of oatmeal that can be reheated, a bagel that can be toasted or heated in the microwave, or a protein shake in a stainless steel bottle that will keep cool before you enjoy it at your desk. For more tips on eating healthy and recipe ideas, download for FREE the FitOn app!
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WELLNESS SIDEBAR:
BE SMART EAT SMART Apple Cider Chicken Recipe
Make an Appealing Meal! Fall Themed Easy, Fast, and Heathy Dinner Recipe for the Busy Lawyer 5-ingredient slow cooker apple cider pulled chicken
Ingredients • 2 medium sweet crisp apples (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and chopped • 1 medium yellow onion very thinly sliced • 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder • 3⁄4 cup unsweetened apple cider divided • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Instructions 1.
Place the apples and onions in the base of a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with 1⁄2 teaspoon salt, tossing to combine.
2. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with an additional 1⁄2 teaspoon salt and garlic powder. 3. Place the chicken on top of the onion and apple mixture. Pour over 1⁄2 cup apple cider. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6, or until the chicken very tender and cooked through. 4. Remove the chicken to a cutting board. Shred with two forks, then place back into the slow cooker, add the remaining 1⁄4 cup apple cider, stirring to combine. Taste and add additional salt or apple cider to taste.
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Notes •
Serve over greens, rice, quinoa, baked sweet potato, or piled into whole wheat or gluten-free buns. Top with Quick Apple Slaw (see below recipe).
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If you’re going grain-free or low-carb, use it to top greens.
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Serve the shredded chicken plain, with a pinch of salt and the sauce from the slow cooker on the side. Add sliced apple and the Quick Apple Slaw on the side, or swap in a chopped raw veggie.
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Store leftover shredded chicken tightly covered in the fridge for 2-4 days or the freezer for up to 3 months.
Quick Apple Slaw Ingredients • 2 apples cored and thinly sliced or grated • 1 scallion white and green parts, thinly sliced • 1 small medium Napa or green cabbage sliced into thin shreds (about 4 cups) • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon pepper optional
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Instructions In a medium bowl combine the apples, scallion, cabbage, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and 1⁄4 teaspoons salt. Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes for the flavors to combine and the cabbage to wilt, then serve.
Notes •
Use pre-bagged slaw mix in place of the cabbage if you’re short on time.
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Store the Quick Apple Slaw, separately, for up to 3 days. Drain off any extra liquid prior to serving.
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THE YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION ACKNOWLEDGES NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH The first year of dedicating November as “National American Indian Heritage Month” was in 1990, proclaimed by President H.W. Bush, and has continued each year under subsequent presidents. Under President Barack Obama in 2009, the celebration title was changed to “National Native American Heritage Month.” There are currently 574 different federally recognized Native American tribes. While there are no federally recognized tribes in Maryland, Maryland has three state recognized tribes: the Piscataway Indian Nation, the Piscataway Conoy Tribe, and the Accohannock Indian Tribe. The Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs also serves the following tribes: 1.
Accohannock Indian Tribe
2. Assateague Peoples Tribe 3. Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians 4. Piscataway Conoy Confederacy and Sub-Tribes 5. Cedarville Band of Piscataway Indians 6. Piscataway Indian Nation 7. Pocomoke Indian Nation 8. Youghiogheny River Band of Shawnee Indian
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Butternut Squash Chocolate Maple Pudding This Butternut Squash Maple Pudding comes from Chef Crystal Wahpepah, an enrolled member of the Kickapoo nation of Oklahoma, and owner of Wahpepah’s Kitchen.
Ingredients: •
1 Large butternut squash, 5-6 cups peeled, seeded, and cubed
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Extra-virgin Olive oil, to coat squash
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1/2 cup coconut cream
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1/4 cup maple syrup
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1 teaspoon vanilla
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1 teaspoon cinnamon
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1/8 teaspoon sea salt
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1/4 cup Dark Mayan chocolate powder
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Squash blossoms for topping
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Fresh berries for topping
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Roasted pumpkin seeds for topping
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the squash cubes or whole cut into half on the baking sheet and toss with just a little bit of olive oil. Roast for 25 minutes or until tender. (Note: the squash does not need to be golden brown, just very soft). Transfer the squash to a blender and add the coconut cream, maple syrup, chocolate powder, vanilla, and salt. Blend until smooth, adding coconut cream as necessary for a blendable consistency. Taste and adjust sweetness. Transfer to ramekins or bowls and chill 4 hours or overnight. Serve with desired toppings. Recipe reshared from @illuminative IG
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RIDING THE CIRCUITS Anne Arundel County (Jeff Sadri) •
AABA putting on AABA Crab Feast on Sept. 24th at 1:00 p.m. at Sandy Point Park -- for more info email him at jsadri@belawpc.com
Baltimore City (BABC) (Rachel Samakow) •
Sept. 23rd welcome happy hour.
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Volunteer event for MD Food Bank, Oct. 3rd
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Believe in Tomorrow, Octo 20
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Crab Feast, Oct. 30
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Port-to-Port 6k walk
Baltimore County (BCBA) (Adam Konstas) •
September 23rd kick-off event, 100 year celebration at patriot plaza at 5 p.m. Free but registration required (bcba.org).
Calvert/St. Mary’s Counties (Sierra Mitchell) •
Hoping to collaborate with committees
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Reaching out to Southern MD since low involvement
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Bar Events include
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Friday golf tourney in Calvert Co.
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Crab Feast 10/23 in Huntingtown
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Southern Maryland Inns of court does a lot of activities and wants to do outreach to young lawyers – wants to talk to someone in membership about collaborating on an event.
Upper Shore (Kent, Caroline, QA, Talbot) (Madonna Lebling) •
Kent Co. crab feast cancelled, nothing until at least spring
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Would love to partner with pro bono or public service on an Eastern Shore event.
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Howard County (Michelle Dauksha) •
New Circuit Courthouse is open
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In lieu of annual crab feast, ice cream happy hour at Clarksville Commons on 9/30 at 5:30 p.m.
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Luncheons will be virtual.
Montgomery County (Shuaa Tajammul) •
Launching MDEC participation on October OCTOBER 25th
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Fall happy hour on 9/30 at 5:30 at Old Angler’s Inn
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9/21 at Glenn Echo Park retirement party for judge Greenberg
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Movie/panel discussion on 9/29 on three known lynchings in MoCo
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Bar luncheons will be virtual (not in person) in October.
Prince George’s County (Mike Reiter) •
9/21 fall membership meeting (zoom)
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10/5 district court annual symposium webinar
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10/6 meet 2021/2022 law clerks happy hour
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10/7 brown bag lunch with legislative update
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YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION PARTNERS WITH LAWYERS’ CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER Since 1987, the Lawyers’ Campaign Against Hunger (LCAH) through the Maryland Food Bank (MFB) has served as a philanthropic pillar of the legal community — bringing dedicated Maryland attorneys together to combat food insecurity in Maryland. The legal community has raised more than $6 million to support Maryland households struggling with hunger since the Campaign launched. MFB is committed to expanding food access while providing the estimated 1 in 3 food-insecure Marylanders with resources to help build pathways out of hunger. For more information on LCAH, please check out their website here: https:// mdfoodbank.org/lawyers-campaign-against-hunger/. Additionally, if you are interested in helping join the fight against hunger in Maryland, we invite you learn more about volunteer efforts through the Lawyers’ Campaign Against Hunger at https://mdfoodbank.volunteerhub.com/lp/lcah/.
2021 Committee Toolkit Lawyers' Campaign Against Hunger
2021 Points of Contact
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CHARM CITY TRIVIA BENEFITTING LAWYERS CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER
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FREDERICK COUNTY Recap of 2021 Programming to date:
Food Drive – In April 2021, the Bar Association of Frederick County (BAFC) Young Lawyers Section (YLS) hosted a two-week-long Spring 2021 Food Drive Challenge where YLS encouraged BAFC members to donate non-perishable food items and “challenge” a fellow BAFC member to meet or beat their donation. The challenges were shared via email and through the BAFC Facebook page. We learned that attorneys love a good competition! The BAFC YLS received approximately 3,000 food items and monetary donations! The BAFC YLS delivered the non-perishable food donations to the Thurmont Food Bank, the Emmitsburg Food Bank, and Frederick Community Action Agency for use at the Frederick Food Bank and Soup Kitchen. The donations filled one van, two trucks, and two cars! With these donations, we were able to help many local families in a time of need. The exceptional participation included over 15 private law firms, 8 attorneys from the Frederick County Attorney’s Office, 12 attorneys from the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office, members of the bench, and the wonderful attorneys of the Maryland Legal Aid Midwestern Office and the Frederick County Public Defender’s Office!! Camp Jamie – A two-day camp, with no overnight, on Saturday, June 5th and Sunday, June 6th, 2021. Camp Jamie is a special opportunity for grieving children and adolescents to come together to talk about their feelings related to a death of someone special, and learn coping skills to deal with those feelings. BAFC members volunteer to serve as counselors/buddies to the campers during their camp experience. For more information on Camp Jamie, check out: https://www. hospiceoffrederick.org/Grief-Loss/Camp-Jamie.aspx School Supply Drive – In July 2021, YLS collected over 150 school supplies at a joint Family Law and YLS happy hour. As part of the “Stuff the Bus” initiative, Frederick County Public Schools collected the donations (backpacks, notebooks, crayons, markers, binders, rulers, glue sticks) to benefit children of Frederick County.
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FREDERICK COUNTY Recap of 2021 Programming to date:
BrewFest – In September 2021, YLS volunteered at the 10th Annual Brewfest on the Farm at Milkhouse Brewery. YLS members (and their family/friends) filled over 20 volunteer spots. Our volunteers contribute to the success of the event annually, and in return for our volunteer efforts, Milkhouse owner and former Frederick Bar member Tom Barse (and his family) donate to Hospice of Frederick County to support Camp Jamie. Happy Hours - The YLS hosted four happy hour events in June, July, August, and October 2021. Each event occurred at a local brewery and after many months of only virtual events, the YLS enjoyed catching up with old friends and colleagues and getting to know some new faces.
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PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE For questions or comments about The Advocate please contact any member of the Publications Committee: Heather Krick Beatrice C. Thomas
hlkrick@gmail.com beat.campbell@gmail.com
