EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE | INSIGHTS & UPDATES
Leaning into the Future:
A Roadmap for MSBA’s Next Chapter
T
his past year, the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) has focused its efforts on responding to a swiftly changing legal landscape. While many voluntary bar associations have retreated into what they’ve always done, we are leaning into the future and investing in changes that are yielding fantastic returns. Most notably, we completed our comprehensive strategic planning process this year. We now have a concrete, dynamic five-year roadmap that will guide MSBA’s future. The details of the plan will be fully shared with the membership over the summer as we work to implement the first phase of the strategic plan this upcoming year. On the financial front, I am thrilled to share that our latest fiscal year ended with positive net revenue and an increase in net assets. We are also on pace for another positive year. I am pleased to report that in June, we held our largest Legal Summit since COVID, with more than 50 sponsors and exhibitors, over 1,000 participants, and over 100 first-time attendees. The Legal Summit showcases the extensive reach of MSBA, offering over 70 high-quality courses across diverse practice areas and bringing together members from across the state and beyond, including one member who flew in from Puerto Rico. MSBA has been showcasing its range of subject-matter offerings throughout the year. We’ve hosted over 110 section events and 40 live continuing legal education (CLE) courses. We have had over 4,000 purchases of our on-demand CLE catalog. We launched our Artificial Intelligence (AI) Resource Hub in the fall and update it regularly with new AI-related content, including articles on recent AI products, case law, other legal developments, sample AI policy templates for law firms, and
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MSBA isn’t just keeping pace with a changing legal world; thanks to our leaders, members, and staff, we have built the engine to actively set the standard for years to come. new CLE. We debuted the first class from our AI certification program at the Legal Summit. We will publish the full six-part course this summer to ensure that Maryland legal professionals understand and use AI responsibly in their practices. MSBA isn’t just keeping pace with a changing legal world; thanks to our leaders, members, and staff, we have built the engine to actively set the standard for years to come. Of course, organizational milestones don’t happen in a vacuum. They require exceptional leadership, and MSBA has been very lucky to have a history of strong leaders. Our 2025–2026 bar year President, Marisa Trasatti, added to that strong history. Trasatti’s intelligence, relentless work ethic, and vibrant energy have left an indelible mark on MSBA, and she left the association in an undeniably strong position. I congratulate her on a remarkable year. As we turn the page to a new chapter and begin executing our new five-year roadmap, the momentum only accelerates. I am excited to welcome our 2026–2027 bar year President, Natasha Dartigue, and continue MSBA’s success. Dartigue’s historic career as Maryland’s State Public Defender has already redefined what impactful leadership looks like across our state. We are excited to see that leadership here at MSBA, and our entire team is inspired and ready to help her execute her vision. Thank you to our officers, our board, our phenomenal staff, and to all of you for making MSBA the true, vibrant home of Maryland’s legal profession.
Anna Sholl, Executive Director