the barrister
totals on financials are pending the conclusion of that audit.
Legislation Committee Katherine Kelly Howard and Brian Rudick, Co-Chairs The BABC Legislative Committee had a very robust Legislative program this bar year. BABC President, Hon. Lynn Stewart addressed the Baltimore City Council in October and Vice President Andy Radding testified before the Baltimore City House Delegation in March, each providing legislators with vital information on the services that the BABC can provide to Baltimore City’s residents. The elections of November, 2010 resulted in the reelection of Governor Martin O’Malley, but brought changes among legislators in many Districts, including Baltimore City. With 998 Senate Bills and 1355 House Bills introduced during the Session, the BABC Legislative Committee reviewed extensive legislation affecting the legal profession and substantive practice areas. The most pervasive issue facing lawmakers in the 2011 Session was the looming budgetary gap. The legal profession, the Judiciary’s budget and allocations to Legal Services organizations were and remain vulnerable to cuts and the BABC has joined with others in fighting to protect these funds There will be a Special Session in the fall focusing on Federal Redistricting; however, other subjects can be taken up during that time. The Legislative Committee plans to meet during the summer and fall to produce a legislative program for the Council’s review and to monitor the Special Session.
Living Legal Legends Committee The Honorable Alison L. Asti, Chair The Living Legal Legends Committee worked for nearly a year and a half planning the very successful Living Legal Legends event that was held on March 16, 2011. Approximately 675 guests joined the Association in recognizing the 11 recipients of the award who were selected from an extensive list of excellent nominations from the
17
Baltimore legal community based on the following criteria: enhancing the public’s understanding of the legal system; respect for their life-long adherence to the highest ethical standards; demonstration of professionalism throughout their career; inspires others as a role model; recognized as a leader in the legal community and the community in general, and at least 30 years commitment to the legal profession. Those honored as Baltimore’s Living Legal Legends were: Peter G. Angelos, Esquire; Professor E. Clinton Bamberger; Paul D. Bekman, Esquire; The Honorable Robert M. Bell; The Honorable Shirley B. Jones; The Honorable Joseph H.H. Kaplan; Wilbur D. Preston, Jr.; The Honorable George L. Russell, Jr.; Sheila K. Sachs, Esquire; Shale D. Stiller, Esquire; and Melvin J. Sykes, Esquire.
Legal Services to the Elderly Jeffrey M. Dier and Cathleen C. Opel, Co-Chairs The overall goal of the Legal Services for the Elderly Committee is to support the Legal Services for the Elderly Program in providing legal services and education to qualified Baltimore City seniors. This year we worked on the following: (1) The Committee made a concerted effort to foster volunteer attorneys to assist the Program counsel in representing senior clients, particularly in specialized areas such as bankruptcy, consumer rights, foreclosures, etc.We assigned members of the Committee to contact City Bar Association members to identify volunteers and collect pertinent information. (2) We supported the Program counsel in his efforts to secure grants for the Program by offering advice and reviewing proposals, including those to the Bar Foundation and Weinberg Foundation. (3) On October 21, 2010 we had a reception at the Saul Ewing law firm to honor volunteers and build support from public officials and members of the legal community for the Program. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 18)
the barrister
17