YEARS OF THE MARYLAND BAR FOUNDATION
ON OCTOBER 23, 2025, the Maryland legal community gathered for a historic milestone: the Maryland Bar Foundation (MBF) 60th Anniversary Gala. Held in partnership with the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA), the evening was more than a celebration of longevity; it was a powerful testament to six decades of commitment to integrity, justice, and service.
As the philanthropic arm of MSBA, MBF used this momentous occasion to reflect on 60 years of its legacy of giving while charting a course for continued impact.
Honoring a Remarkable Legacy
The evening opened with a cocktail reception where current Fellows, distinguished judges, and legal leaders mingled.
MBF President E. Regine Francois Williams, Esq., welcomed attendees with a message of profound appreciation for the visionaries who established MBF in 1965. She shared that for six decades, the Maryland Bar Foundation has stood as a beacon of integrity and service, emphasizing that the organization’s work continues to strengthen the honor of the legal profession.
Williams noted that the evening’s success was built upon the tireless work of several key groups. She first recognized the dedicated board of directors for their efforts in elevating MBF both behind the scenes and through the execution of the Gala. She then recognized the Gala Planning Committee, whose members brought the anniversary vision to life. Turning to history, President Williams also honored the many past-presidents and former board members in attendance, noting that these leaders laid the essential foundation for the organization’s current success. Finally, she expressed her gratitude to the
MSBA team for their partnership and to the many distinguished guests and members of the judiciary, whose presence emphasized the importance of MBF's work.
The state’s highest offices also officially recognized MBF’s impact. MBF’s Immediate Past President, Wm. Carl Isler, II, announced the receipt of a governor’s citation from Governor Wes Moore, which congratulated MBF for its unwavering commitment to justice. Gregory Yancy, chief of staff, Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, presented the citation.
Additionally, MBF received a comptroller’s certificate from Brooke Lierman, honoring the MBF’s phenomenal financial support of nonprofits and its contributions to public legal understanding.
The Power of Philanthropy: Over $110,000 Raised
One of the most remarkable moments of the night came during the fundraising update. MBF raised over $62,000 through sponsorships, donations, and ticket sales. The funds will allow MBF to continue to provide grants to Maryland legal aid organizations.
A Partnership for Service and Justice
The deep-rooted connection between the two organizations was a central theme of the night. MSBA President Marisa Trasatti took
A Legacy of Giving, A Future of Impact:
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF THE MARYLAND BAR FOUNDATION
ON OCTOBER 23, 2025, the Maryland legal community gathered for a historic milestone: the Maryland Bar Foundation (MBF) 60th Anniversary Gala. Held in partnership with the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA), the evening was more than a celebration of longevity; it was a powerful testament to six decades of commitment to integrity, justice, and service.
As the philanthropic arm of MSBA, MBF used this momentous occasion to reflect on 60 years of its legacy of giving while charting a course for continued impact.
Honoring a Remarkable Legacy
The evening opened with a cocktail reception where current Fellows, distinguished judges, and legal leaders mingled.
MBF President E. Regine Francois Williams, Esq., welcomed attendees with a message of profound appreciation for the visionaries who established MBF in 1965. She shared that for six decades, the Maryland Bar Foundation has stood as a beacon of integrity and service, emphasizing that the organization’s work continues to strengthen the honor of the legal profession.
Williams noted that the evening’s success was built upon the tireless work of several key groups. She first recognized the dedicated board of directors for their efforts in elevating MBF both behind the scenes and through the execution of the Gala. She then recognized the Gala Planning Committee, whose members brought the anniversary vision to life. Turning to history, President Williams also honored the many past-presidents and former board members in attendance, noting that these leaders laid the essential foundation for the organization’s current success. Finally, she expressed her gratitude to the
MSBA team for their partnership and to the many distinguished guests and members of the judiciary, whose presence emphasized the importance of MBF's work.
The state’s highest offices also officially recognized MBF’s impact. MBF’s Immediate Past President, Wm. Carl Isler, II, announced the receipt of a governor’s citation from Governor Wes Moore, which congratulated MBF for its unwavering commitment to justice. Gregory Yancy, chief of staff, Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, presented the citation.
Additionally, MBF received a comptroller’s certificate from Brooke Lierman, honoring the MBF’s phenomenal financial support of nonprofits and its contributions to public legal understanding.
The Power of Philanthropy: Over $110,000 Raised
One of the most remarkable moments of the night came during the fundraising update. MBF raised over $62,000 through sponsorships, donations, and ticket sales. The funds will allow MBF to continue to provide grants to Maryland legal aid organizations.
A Partnership for Service and Justice
The deep-rooted connection between the two organizations was a central theme of the night. MSBA President Marisa Trasatti took
For 60 years, MBF has fulfilled that mandate by providing critical grants to legal aid organizations, funding law-related education, and recognizing leaders dedicated to public service.
the podium to express the association’s immense pride in being the parent organization of MBF. She reminded the audience that when MSBA founded MBF in 1965, the goal was clear: to foster the honor and integrity of the profession and to improve the administration of justice.
For 60 years, MBF has fulfilled that mandate by providing critical grants to legal aid organizations, funding law-related education, and recognizing leaders dedicated to public service. President Trasatti noted that the partnership between MSBA and MBF has never been stronger. She specifically thanked President Williams for her vision and determination, noting that under her leadership, MBF raised substantial funds to continue its positive impact in Maryland communities.
Trasatti congratulated MBF on its historic anniversary and noted MSBA looks forward to 60 more years of partnership.
Impact in Action: Tangible Results Across Maryland
Through grant funding, MBF has positively impacted thousands of individuals and communities throughout Maryland. MBF support has funded organizations large and small, including the Pro Bono Resource Center, Maryland Volunteer Legal Services, Community Legal Services, Maryland Youth & the Law, and so many more, touching every corner of our state.
The gala highlighted the tangible results of MBF’s extensive grantmaking history. Since 2000, MBF has distributed $904,599 across 269 grants to more than 40 organizations throughout the state.
Attendees saw firsthand how these dollars transform lives through innovative programs. For instance, with MBF funding, the Baltimore County Public Library launched the Mobile Library Law Center with the mission to provide complimentary legal services to underserved communities, becoming the first public library system in the country to run such a program. With this project, legal services available through the Lawyers in the Library program were taken into the community, addressing barriers to access and increasing knowledge of available services that can markedly improve lives.
MBF’s reach also extends to victim support and youth engagement. MBF proudly supported Maryland Crime Victims’Resource Center, Inc. (MCVRC) in their inaugural Make a Difference for Victims’ Rights 5k Walk and Resource Fair. This event honored, remembered, and paid respect to
The Gala also highlighted one of MBF’s other core missions: honoring members of Maryland’s legal community who embody the spirit of MBF's highest standards: honor, integrity, justice, and knowledge.
survivors and victims of all crimes. Because of the efforts of MCVRC, attendees of this event could help countless others by sharing what they learned and, in that regard, ensure that the funding provided by the Maryland Bar Foundation reached even further.
Another innovative program MBF proudly supported is Reading & Robes, which brings judges into classrooms to build positive relationships between the judiciary and the community.
Furthermore, MBF, the Maryland SPCA (MD SPCA), and the Baltimore County Department of Aging partnered to encourage mature adults to consider including a plan for their pets in their estate plans to help reduce the number of pets who become homeless when their caregivers pass away. With a grant from the Maryland Bar Foundation, the MD SPCA created a valuable resource guide that walks pet parents through planning for their pets’ future care.
Celebrating Excellence: The 2025 Awardees
The gala also highlighted one of MBF’s other core missions: honoring members of Maryland’s legal community who embody the MBF's highest standards: honor, integrity, justice, and knowledge.
Hon. Jon Cardin, Maryland Delegate for District 11, presented Richard H. Gibson, Jr. with the J. Joseph Curran, Jr. Public Service Award. Since 2007, MBF has presented the award to a government or public-interest lawyer known for selflessly serving the public good and advancing the goals of better government and higher societal standards. The award is named in honor of former Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. Gibson made history in 2019 as the first Black State’s Attorney for Howard County, Maryland, and was sworn in for his second term in early 2023. Licensed in both Maryland and New Jersey, he began his prosecutorial career in Prince George’s County, before joining the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office. There, he
advanced from the General Trial Division to the Homicide Division and ultimately became a team captain in the Major Investigations Unit (MIU), supervising cases against violent repeat offenders.
As State’s Attorney, Gibson has championed community safety, transparency, and accountability while implementing diversionary programs like L.E.A.D. and launching Maryland’s first statewide prosecutor academy. He has received the Criminal Justice Reform Award (2018), served as president of the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association (2021-2025), and is vice chair of the Police Training & Standards Commission (2023–present). He is also the Maryland chapter president of the National Black Prosecutors Association (2024–present) and a board member-at large of the National District Attorneys Association (2023–present).
The Honorable Dana Middleton of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City then presented Valda Ricks, Esq., with the Steven P. Lemmey Legal Excellence Award for the Advancement of Public Service Responsibility.
Ricks began her legal career as an intern at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, progressing to law clerk, assistant public defender, and ultimately chief attorney. After 22 years with the Public Defender’s office, Ricks joined the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office as deputy of operations, overseeing various divisions including district courts, juvenile, central booking, misdemeanor jury trial, and specialty courts. Since January 2023, as a staff attorney at the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, she has represented tenants in Baltimore City and Baltimore County district courts.
Ricks is an active member of several bar associations, dedicated to community outreach, mentoring, and leadership. She has tutored students at Coppin State University and mentored law students and attorneys. Ricks has received numerous awards, in-
cluding the Margaret Brent/Juanita Jackson Mitchell Award, the Bar Association of Baltimore City Government & Public Interest Award, and multiple Maryland Daily Record awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Honorable Judith C. Ensor was honored with the Award for the Advancement of Professional Competence, presented by the Honorable Monise Stephenson of the Circuit Court for Charles County.
Judge Ensor has served as an associate judge of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County since 2005. She was appointed to the Judicial Ethics Committee in 2019, serving as chair from 2024 to 2025, and was her court’s lead civil judge from 2016 to 2024. Currently, she chairs the Medical Malpractice Work Group of the Conference of Circuit Judges Committee on Complex Litigation.
Since 2017, Judge Ensor has mentored with the Maryland Mentor Program for New Trial Judges and has spoken at the new trial judges’ orientation and judicial college. Elected a fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation in 2005, she was named an ASTAR Science and Technology Fellow in 2009. Judge Ensor is a member of The Daily Record’s Circle of Excellence, recognized as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women in 2007, 2009, and 2011.
Deena Hausner, Director of the House of Ruth Maryland Domestic Violence Legal Clinic, presented Dorothy J. Lennig, Esq. with the award for the Advancement of the Rights of the Disadvantaged.
Lennig is the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP), an agency coordinating and funding Maryland’s public safety strategy. She advocates for public safety and disburses over $300M in federal and state grants for public safety initiatives. Before leading GOCPP, Lennig served as executive director of the House of Ruth Legal Clinic for more than three decades, dedicating her career to supporting victims of violence and advocating for violence-reduction laws. At House of Ruth, she directed domestic violence litigation, was a lead legislative advocate, and served as vice-chair of the Governor’s Family Violence Council.
Lennig is a past chair of the Maryland State Bar Association’s Family and Juvenile Law Section Council, chaired the Baltimore City Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team, and co-chaired the Bar Association of Baltimore City’s Family Law Committee and its Task Force on the Effect of Domestic Violence on Children. Recognized as a public safety policy thought leader, Lennig advised Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Gov. Moore’s transition teams on public safety.
Looking Toward the Next 60 Years
The evening culminated in a powerful keynote by Erek L. Barron, Esq. Barron currently serves as chair of the Crisis Management and Strategic Response Practice at Mintz Levin. There, he advises Fortune 500 companies, public institutions, and nonprofits on high-stakes litigation, investigations, and regulatory challenges.
Before entering private practice, Barron was the first African American United States Attorney for the District of Maryland (2021-2025). He led one of the nation’s most active federal offices, overseeing landmark prosecutions in violent crime, public corruption, national security, and civil rights. Under his leadership, the office established its first Civil Rights and Special Victims Section, prosecuted a major cryptocurrency fraud, and worked to reduce violent crime in Maryland.
His public service also includes time as a state delegate in the Maryland General Assembly, where he championed bipartisan reforms in criminal justice and health care.
His address served as a reminder that while much has been achieved, the evolving legal and societal challenges ahead require a steadfast dedication to the Rule of Law and the betterment of our communities.
The success of the 60th Anniversary Gala ensures that the Maryland Bar Foundation will continue to build its legacy of philanthropy and excellence, funding the next 60 years of impact for all Marylanders.
THANK YOU SPONSORS
Anna S. Sholl, Esq., MSBA Executive Director ⋅ Assured Partners ⋅ Baird ⋅ Ballard Spahr ⋅ Burnett Injury Group, LLC. ⋅ Christopher Schaefer Clothier ⋅ Community Legal Services, Inc. ⋅ Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC ⋅ Dixon Turnbull ⋅ Goodell, DeVries, Leech & Dann, LLP ⋅ Gordon Feinblatt LLC ⋅ Gwen-Marie Davis Hicks, LLC ⋅ Hermina Law Group ⋅ Hon. Monise A. Stephenson, Circuit Court for Charles County ⋅ Hon. Pamela J. White, MSBA Past President (2001-2002) ⋅ Jeffrey Press, Inc. ⋅ Levin & Gann ⋅ Lewicky, O’Connor, Hunt & Meiser, LLC ⋅ Maryland Association for Justice ⋅ Maryland Legal Aid ⋅ McDonough Law ⋅ McLeod, Weschler & Yeager, P.C. ⋅ MHC HealthCare ⋅ Minnesota Lawyers Mutual ⋅ Monumental City Bar Association ⋅ Ogbuehi Omena Onwezi, LLC ⋅ Parker Counts ⋅ Raphael J. Santini PA ⋅ Robinson & Geraldo ⋅ Rosenberg Martin Greenberg ⋅ The Hill Law Group ⋅ Truist Bank ⋅ Vallet Advisors ⋅ Wallace Kleid Law, LLC ⋅ Wm. Carl Isler, II, Past MBF President (2024-2025) ⋅ Wright Esquire