BCBA Event Stated Meeting: Report on the February 16, 2023 Stated Meeting and Presentation of the J. Earle Plumhoff Professionalism Award to Laurie Wasserman. The Stated Meeting of the BCBA was conducted on February 16, 2023, in the Ceremonial Courtroom in the Historic Courthouse. BCBA President Jack Turnbull called the meeting to order. The October 20, 2022 Stated Meeting minutes were approved. President Jack Turnbull then presented the Treasurer’s report on behalf of Treasurer Richard Grason, IV, and it was reported that revenues and expenditures are expected to fall within the budget by the end of the bar year. Standing committees reported the following highlights: a. ADR – A lunch program will occur on April 13th concerning fee arbitration. b. Advocate – Reminder that the deadline to submit articles is the 20th of each month for the next issue. Committee chairs were asked to assign a committee member to write an article for any committee events so they can be highlighted in the Advocate. c. Bench/Bar – Remote meetings to continue. d. Criminal Law – The Guns & Drugs program will continue with part two of the program. The first half (“guns”) was on December 14, 2022 and was very successful. The second half (“drugs”) will be held after the drug courts first graduating class. In addition, the Office of the Public Defender Appellate Division needs panel attorneys. If you’re interested, contact Stuart Schadt or Marc DeSimone. e. DEI – Seven summer scholars were placed at various law firms. In addition, the Committee will host a spring program on implicit bias. f. Entertainment – Three upcoming events, all of which benefit SAFE: (1) Trivia Night on March 2nd, 2023 at Barley’s Backyard; (2) CHOPP’D on March 23rd, and (3) the BCBA Golf Tournament on May 8th. g. Family Law – A happy hour at Banditos was planned for February 23rd. It was a meet and greet for the new judges who are on the family law rotation. Magistrates were also in attendance. On March 27th, a virtual lunch and learn will occur March 2023
with the magistrates to discuss the process of screening family law motions. Finally, there will be a joint program with the ADR and Fee Arbitration Committees, which will be a lunch and learn about fee arbitration. h. Law Day – May 1st is Law Day. The Law Day theme this year is “Civics, Civility, and Cooperation.” There will only be a noon program, but food will be incorporated. Senator Ben Cardin is the speaker. The art and essay contest information will go out soon. i. Legal Support Professionals – On March 28th, there will be a Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. on ADR overview/mediation. There will be a CASA presentation (part two). j. Long-Range Planning – the committee will begin to implement the three-year plan. k. Pro Bono – Pro bono dat will occur on April 12th at the Woodlawn Library from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.. The committee needs volunteers. There is a new Lawyer in the Lobby program for civil and family matters. It will be on Wednesdays and the details are still being worked out. l. Professionalism – Later this spring, there will be a program to discuss resiliency in the practice of law, compassion fatigue, and ways to deal with the effects of repeated trauma (emotional and otherwise) presented. m. Public Awareness and Speakers – there were events on November 11th and December 2nd. Both were very well-received. n. Young Lawyers – There was a lunch and learn on Zoom with the two new District Court judges. May 20 is the planned “field day.” Any ideas for activities are welcome and should be submitted to the Committee. The BCBA nominating committee nominated a Slate of Officers, which was presented. Stuart Schadt is nominated to become the newest At-Large Member beginning with the 2023-24 bar year. Voting on the slate will take place at the June Stated Meeting.
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