THE
ADVOCATE VOLUME 33 , NUMBER 4 - Summer 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Message from the Chair 4 Committee Updates 4 American Bar Association 6 Disaster Relief 6 Lawyer Wellness 9 Riding the Circuits 9 1st Circuit 9 6th Circuit
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR BY INDIRA K. SHARMA, SECTION CHAIR (Indira.Sharma@saul.com) It has been such an honor to serve as The Young Lawyers Section (YLS) Chair this year! I continue to believe that YLS is the best and brightest section of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA). We are the future of the MSBA and the future of the legal profession. We have the power to shape the profession with our creativity, enthusiasm, fresh new ideas, and to focus on matters for lawyers that we deem to be timely and of great importance. I was incredibly delighted to use my position as Chair this year to create a Lawyer Wellness Committee and to bring new health, fitness, mindfulness and meditation programs to the Section, including our first Lawyer Wellness Retreat in May, which was a huge success. We created a solid partnership with the newly-formed Mindfulness in Law Society MD/DC Chapter that will continue to be a valuable resource for our members. I plan to continue my lawyer wellness focus next year through YLS and by serving on the Planning Committee for the MSBA’s Bench Bar Wellness Week coming up this Fall. MSBA has added such great value to my personal and professional life. On a personal level, MSBA has allowed me to fulfill my passion for service to the community and to the profession. On a professional level, I have cultivated such a wide network across Maryland and relationships with attorneys in all areas of the law, which has already helped
me to build my practice. I know this will continue to help me build my practice as a law firm partner. If you are finding it hard to get involved with MSBA, I would welcome the opportunity to chat with you. I was not involved at all in the beginning of my career for years, but found my way eventually. And, once I became involved with MSBA, I immediately wished that I had started sooner. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those who served in leadership roles on the Section Council this year. Our Section Council is the best. To those who attended our events, thank you for coming out. We hope you found it valuable. I would also like to thank my law firm Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP for supporting me in this role, which was incredibly demanding on my time, but an important service to the bar and the profession. Last, but certainly not least, thank you to my husband Hemant and children Karishma, Kishore, and Rakesh who are forever encouraging and supportive of my endeavors, no matter how challenging. I am grateful to all of you for your commitment to YLS and look forward to working with you and seeing you in the future! Warmest regards, Indira 3
COMMITTEE UPDATES AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (ABA) MSBA Makes Inroads and Impact with the American Bar Association By: Chris Jennison
Under the leadership of American Bar Association (ABA) Committee Chair Chris Jennison, past YLS Chair Michael Hudak, and current YLS Chair Indira Sharma, the MSBA YLS has made great inroads, and had a great impact in the ABA’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD) over the 2018-19 bar year. The year kicked off with the 2018 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. YLS sent six delegates to the ABA Annual Meeting. At this meeting, Chris Brown, the YLS-endorsed candidate for ABA YLD Secretary, won election. Chris is currently serving as the YLD’s Secretary
for the 2018-19 bar year, and will rise to the YLD Chair-Elect in 2019-20 and Chair in 2020-21. At this meeting, Chris Jennison also announced his candidacy for YLD Clerk, a position that then becomes YLD Speaker the following year. Our delegates spent time making packages for troops and debating issues of importance to young lawyers. Our Fall Meeting took us to Charleston, SC. Attendees heard from survivors of the Charleston church shooting, Governor Haley’s Chief of Staff, and federal district court judges.
MSBA YLS members at the ABA 2018 Annual Meeting in Chicago.
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The Mid-Year Meeting in January 2019, again, presented an opportunity for debate. Leading up to the conference, it became apparent that the ABA might implement a policy requiring a law school to have 75% of its bar-takers pass the bar within 2 years of graduation. The YLS Section Council spent much time debating this policy and submitted a letter in opposition to the policy. The policy failed at the Midyear ABA House of Delegates Meeting.
The YLD’s Spring Meeting took place in Washington, D.C. MSBA YLS was a co-sponsor of this program, and we sent our largest delegation of the last few years to the Meeting. The Meeting featured speakers including Above the Law’s David Lat, Politico’s Carrie Budoff Brown, District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine, Senator Lindsey Graham, Congressmen Joe Kennedy and Joe Cunningham, and more. It was truly a spectacular meeting. In mid-May, the ABA MSBA delegation got word that the ABA was likely to implement the 75% bar passage policy. The Council for the ABA’s Section of Legal Education voted unanimously to implement the policy, which is now effective. Law schools will be subject to the policy in Spring 2020. The MSBA YLS was successful in the 2019-20 Appointments Process. In addition to Chris Jennison winning election as Clerk, the following MSBA YLS members received appointments: Josephine Bahn, Affiliates Director; Liz Rosen, Criminal Justice Liaison and Committee Chair; Shuaa Tajammul, Vice Chair of Litigation; Kerri Smith, District Representative; and Michael Hudak, ABA House of Delegates Representative.
MSBA YLS Members at the ABA Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C.
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DISASTER RELIEF The Disaster Relief Committee scheduled a presentation on Disaster Relief Planning for Lawyers by Tina Williams-Koroma, Esq., President of TCecure, LLC, at the end of May, but unfortunately “disaster” struck at the venue causing the facility to lose power that evening! We could not stop Mother Nature’s storms (and tornado in Howard County) that day. The event was held on June 27, 2019. If you are interested in assisting the Committee with updating the Disaster Relief Plan, serving as a potential volunteer attorney, or recruiting potential volunteer attorneys, please contact the Committee’s Co-chair, Sean
Pictured is one of the BGE workers preparing to fix the power issues.
O’Keefe, at spokeefe@okeefelegal.com or (301) 473-1842.
LAWYER WELLNESS
On May 1, 2019, the YLS held its first Lawyer Wellness Retreat in conjunction with the DC/MD Chapter of the Mindfulness in Law Society (“MILS”) at the Sheraton in Columbia, MD. The event
attracted approximately 60 attorneys seeking peace and wellness in their busy lives. The retreat began at noon with an inspiring keynote address from former DC Bar Association President 6
Attendees at the Lawyer Wellness Retreat.
Melvin White, Esquire, who told his story of finding success and happiness in the practice of law through his meditation and yoga practices. As a successful litigator with demanding community responsibilities, including serving as DC Bar President from 2007-2008, Mr. White impressed upon the attendees the importance of self-care and the positive impact that it can have on the life of an attorney. Lisa Caplan, Associate Director of the Lawyer Assistance Program (“LAP�) at the MSBA, also spoke during the program about the many wellness and counseling resources for lawyers offered through the LAP and the highly confidential nature of the services.
The afternoon retreat continued with presentations from an impressive lineup of experts including Alexa Zaledonis, owner of Alexa Z Meditates and Even Keel Wellness Spa; Rachel Wohl, Esquire, a mindfulness teacher and conflict specialist who regularly teaches mindfulness meditation to the judiciary, law students, and attorneys; Dr. Pam Wallentiny who focuses her research on stress and meditation; and Hope Rubin, a therapist with more than 20 years of experience and training in meditation and integrative wellness approaches. Retreat attendees participated in an afternoon of education combined with relaxing practices, including yoga outdoors facing the lake and blissful meditations. 7
YLS Chair Indira Sharma and MILS Chair Jennifer Dill reported that the retreat was a huge success. For those who missed the retreat and who are interested in the opportunity to learn about mindfulness and how it can help your life as a lawyer, consider joining the MD/DC Chapter of MILS at
www.mindfulnessinlawsociety.com. An immediate benefit is the opportunity to participate together in Mindful Mondays – a 20-minute, virtual, guided meditation each Monday at 4:00 p.m. MILS also offers free CLE’s and other programming, and online resources.
In keeping with the Lawyer Wellness theme, on June 1, 2019, YLS held a “Built for the Beach” summer strengthening and sculpting workout led by Sahmra Stevenson, Esquire, founder of SAS Fit Practice. To learn more about Sahmra and finding balance in your law practice, visit www.sasfitpractice.com.
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RIDING THE CIRCUITS 1ST CIRCUIT
In January, the Wicomico County Bar Association held its annual holiday party. Raffle prizes were drawn and a lucky winner received a Yeti cooler filled with libations! In March, the Bar Associations of Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset Counties gathered at Brew River in Salisbury for a presentation by MSBA President, The Honorable Keith Truffer and MSBA Executive Director Victor Velazquez. In April, for the Lawyer’s Day of Service, the Bar Associations of Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset Counties worked to build a playground for the Lower Shore Homeless Shelter in Princess Anne, Maryland. In May, the Wicomico County Bar Association held a BBQ competition with all proceeds raised going to the annual gift to the Maryland Food Bank Lawyers’ Campaign Against Hunger.
6TH CIRCUIT PAST EVENTS •
May 17, 2019 – The Bar Association of Frederick County (BAFC) and YLS hosted a Friends & Family Event at the Frederick Keys game.
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June 8, 2019 – The Annual Brew Fest at the Farm took place. A portion of the money raised from this event will support Camp Jamie.
UPCOMING EVENTS •
July 12-13, 2019 – The BAFC is hosting its 11th Annual Fishing for Civility trip in Rock Hall, MD for young and seasoned attorneys. If you are interested in signing up for this event, please contact Amber White at AmWhite@frederickcontymd.gov.
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July 19, 2019 – The BAFC is hosting its morning fishing outing for children attending the Salvation Army Day Camp. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please contact Amber White at AmWhite@frederickcontymd.gov.
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August 15, 2019 – The BAFC is hosting its Annual Picnic at the Pinecliff Park, Shelter #3. The address is 8350 Pinecliff Park Road, Frederick, MD 21704. You must be a member of the BAFC to attend. If you are interested in joining the BAFC, please visit www.frederickbar.org/join-the-bafc.html.
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October 17, 2019 – The BAFC is hosting its Annual Judges Dinner at Holly Hills Country Club, located at 5502 Mussetter Road, Ijamsville, MD 21754. Tickets will be available soon. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket, please visit, www.frederickbar.org. 9
Thanks for reading The Advocate this year. Have a great summer and be on the lookout for the next issue in Fall 2019!
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE For questions or comments about The Advocate please contact any member of the Publications Committee: Letam Duson Chelsea Crawford Chaz Ball Paul H. Farmer, Jr.
Letam.Duson@gmail.com CCrawford@browngold.com cball@sbwlaw.com pfarmer@gjblawfirm.com