It is with genuine enthusiasm that I share with you the launch of the Maryland State Bar Association’s new strategic planning initiative— a process that will shape the direction of the Association for the next five years and, we hope, establish a durable framework that will carry us well beyond that horizon. This plan is not merely an exercise in organizational housekeeping. Rather, it is an intentional effort to define and deliver concrete initiatives that will (1) ensure we remain indispensable to our existing members, (2) attract new members from across the profession, and (3) reinforce the MSBA’s position as the premier provider of continuing legal education in Maryland.
Building on Our Foundation
This work builds upon the strong foundation laid by the 2019 Strategic Plan, which articulated the MSBA’s core values—values that continue to resonate deeply within our profession:
• The MSBA is a home for all legal professionals.
• We are the voice of the legal profession.
• We provide significant value to our members.
MSBA’s New Strategic Planning Initiative
• We maintain accessibility to the services we offer.
• We advance access to justice.
• We are committed to innovation.
These values act as our North Star. They define not only who we are but also who we aspire to be as stewards of this profession and as advocates for the rule of law in Maryland.
Scope of the New Plan
The FY26 Strategic Planning Taskforce— co-chaired by me and Erek Barron, Esquire, of Mintz Levin, and facilitated by Steve Manekin, CPA, of Vallit Advisors— will focus its work on four principal areas of inquiry:
Membership Recruitment & Retention: Developing initiatives targeted toward large law firms, in-house counsel, law students, and young lawyers. Our aim is to expand the breadth of our membership while ensuring the loyalty and engagement of our core constituencies.
Intellectual Property/Content: Evaluating the scope and quality of our CLE offerings, publications, and professional content to ensure they meet the rapidly evolving needs of our members. This includes preparing for the potential adoption of minimum CLE in Maryland, positioning MSBA as the unquestioned leader in delivering required education.
Advocacy & Support: Refining our legislative and policy initiatives, both in Annapolis and through our various task forces. In particular, we intend to weave access to justice considerations into all aspects of our advocacy work, strengthening the Bar’s voice on issues essential to the equitable administration of justice.
Governance & Finance: Reviewing our governance structure and financial processes to ensure that both are aligned with the priorities identified in the strategic plan and that they provide a sound foundation for the MSBA’s long-term sustainability.
Methodology and Timeline
This is a data-driven and deliberate process. The Taskforce will rely on our PODs, each beginning with a rigorous SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and informed by relevant data. The work of the PODs will culminate in a set of recommendations submitted to the Taskforce for evaluation and integration.
The timeline is as follows:
• October 2025–February 2026: PODs convene approximately every four weeks.
• March 2, 2026: POD reports due for Taskforce review.
• March 2026: Half-day retreat for Taskforce integration and refinement.
• April 15, 2026: Final Taskforce recommendations submitted to the Board.
• May 8, 2026: Adoption of the strategic plan by the MSBA Board at its Spring Retreat.
A Call to Engagement
This moment is both exciting and consequential. We stand at the intersection of continuity and change—charged with preserving the best of our traditions while positioning the MSBA to meet the needs of a modern profession and society. The plan that emerges from this process will not simply be a document; it will serve as a guide for how we collectively strengthen our profession, safeguard justice, and deliver value to every Maryland lawyer.
I invite each of you—judges, practitioners, academics, and public service lawyers alike—to watch this process closely, to contribute your perspectives where appropriate, and to share in the responsibility of shaping our collective future. I am confident that, together, we will craft a strategic plan that not only charts the MSBA’s next five years but fortifies the legal profession in Maryland for generations to come.
Marisa A. Trasatti, President
