President Henry E.. Dugan, Jr.called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Twenty two (22) members of the Board of Governors were present.

Transcription

1 MARYLAND STATE BAR ASSOCIATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012 ANTRIUM TREVANION ROAD TANEYTOWN, MARYLAND :30 P.M. President Henry E.. Dugan, Jr.called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Twenty two (22) members of the Board of Governors were present. I. MINUTES The minutes of the Board of Governors meeting held on February 28, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland were approved as presented with corrections as to misspelled names. II. REPORT OF THE OFFICERS A. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT 1. President Dugan reported on the March 3, 2012, 3 rd Civics and Law Academy which was held in Frederick County at Oakdale High School. Over 80 students participated and President Dugan presented the key note and Circuit Judge Teresa Adams who is President of the Frederick County Bar Association gave the welcome. The faculty consisted of lawyers and Judges from around the state and the event was covered by the Frederick Gazette newspaper. Judge Brown reported that the MSBA is sponsoring one of this year s Academy participants to the Close Up Foundation National Civic and Law Academy in Washington, DC. Ms Rikia Allen of Potomac High School is joining students from around the country as they visit the US Congress, the US Supreme Court and participate in leadership training. The American Bar Association provides a $750 match for each student and that includes their housing, food and transportation costs while in DC. 2. President Dugan shared a recent article on the campaign rhetoric against the Courts and its attempts to threaten the independence of the Judiciary. He will speak before the Senate on SB President Dugan also shared correspondence received from U.S. District Court Judge Nickerson. 4. President Dugan also reported that on March 10, 2012 he was invited to the University of Maryland Law School a to speak with students

2 concerning law careers and he also spoke with several ASPER Fellows who currently hold clerkship about their concerns with future employment. 5. President Dugan shared an article about the ongoing Federal litigation involving alleged pollution by chicken farms on the Eastern Shore. He further advised that the University of Maryland s Environmental Law Clinic is ranked ninth in the country for its program. 6. President Dugan shared with the Board the Pennsylvania Bar Ethics Opinion on Limited Scope Representation. 7. President Dugan reported that a phased in Judicial Pay increase was approved by the Legislature and Mr. Montgomery provided further insight. 8. President Dugan advised that the American Bar Association Judicial Division will be meeting at the Gaylord Hotel in May. Ret. Judge William Missouri is the incoming Chair. The Board voted to approve a $5,000 contribution to support the Conference. 9. President Dugan reported on a request by the Program Committee to contribute $5,000 to MLSC in lieu of providing a gift to Annual meeting attendees. The Board approved this request. 10. President Dugan called upon Paul Carlin and Judge Rattal to report on the 15 th Anniversary of the Leadership Academy. The event was at the Woodmere Country Club in Prince Georges County with over 80 people in attendance. The keynote address was presented by former ABA President, Robert Grey from Richmond who gave an inspiring speech challenging the Academy Fellows to take up the mantle leadership. Many former Leadership Academy Fellows were in attendance and a special recognition was provided to the past Leadership Academy Chairs. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 1. Mr. Carlin gave a membership report, including a number of drops. The Board was asked to review the members from their respective Districts and contact those individuals that they have a relationship with. He further indicated that even with a substantial drop of members with annual February purge which totaled 1189 and the 63 resignations the Association still has 23, 586 members and the Sections realized 2% increase in membership. Mr. Carlin also reported that Mr. Ted Wiesman is eligible for honorary membership status and the Board approved the designation.

3 2. Mr. Carlin reported that the website reorganization and retooling is well underway and that a consultant has been engaged to assist with the hiring of a new webmaster / programmer. 3. Mr. Carlin reported on recent American Bar Association election for State Delegate. Mr. Robert Gonzales is completing his 3 rd term as the State Delegate and the two candidates for the position were Judge Barbara Howe and Harry Johnson. Judge Howe won the election and begins her service after the ABA Annual meeting in August. 5. Mr. Carlin gave a brief history of our historic venue. 6. Mr. Carlin also reported that Fast Case has made upgrades to it mobile service for Association members. Currently free mobil updates of cases are now available for mobile phones and desk tops and can be synced to provide the information. C. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY Secretary Michael J. Baxter was unable to attend the meeting so no report was made. D. REPORT OF THE TREASURER Treasurer Debra G. Schubert provided a financial report, including year-to-date figures. As of February 29, 2013 the dues income was $2,890, and the total income $ 3,908, The Association is now 1.44% over budget in dues income. Total expenses to date are $ 2,864, leaving a $1,444, budgeted but not yet expended. E. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT President-Elect John P. Kudel also reported on his ongoing effort to secure a location for the 2013 MSBA Mid-Year Meeting. He had the opportunity while in Panama to visit several sites in Costa Rica and is looking conclude his review with a site selection to made shortly. III. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES A. COMMITTEE ON LAWS 1. Richard A. Montgomery, Director of Legislative Relations reported on the status of several Bills during Presidents Dugan s report. They included the following: HB 340 Judicial Compensation- passes, HB 438 Civil Marriage Protection Act passed and will most likely go to referendum, SB 422-

4 Criminal Defendants Citations and Appearances is in conference committee, SB 280 Civil Right to Counsel- probably will not make it out of committee in light of cost ramifications, HB477 Uniform Collaborative Law Act withdrawn., HB 1061 Commission on Judicial Disabilitiesunfavorable report, SB 152 Budget Reconciling Act pending however the Budget Analyst request to capture the funds of the Attorney Grievance Commission and Client Protection Fund was rejected, HB 8- Electronic Harassment ( deals with Twitter and Face book but requires direct contact ) is close to passing, SB 945/ HB 1349 Reimbursement of Lawsuit expenses to Hudson Farm by University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic.- the Bill may pass appropriations. IV. V REPORTS ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES - None REPORTS ON SECTIONS A. Liaison Reports 1. Delivery of Legal Services Section - Governor Ed Fee reported on that the Section is very active and is working on revising a Handbook on Guardianship. 2. The Elder Law Section Governor Fee reported that the Section is working on a state wide Law Day program on May 1 st focusing on Health Care Directives. They are also reviewing the Powers of Attorney Act and produce a newsletter twice a year. They will jointly hosting a program with the Family Law Section at the Annual Meeting in Ocean City. 3. Immigration Section -. Governor Joshua A. Lemerman reported on the activities of the Section Chaired by Marco Rodriquez. The Section is actively involved in the KIND program and is providing training for volunteer lawyers who wish to assist with these cases. The next training will be in Anne Arundel County. The Section is consulting and providing a bench sheet outlining immigration consequences for the Office of the Public Defender. In addition the Section will also be presenting a program at the Annual meeting dealing with family law and employment. The committee also is conducting workshops on green card and naturalization requirements and has expressed about the E- Verified Bill and will discuss further with Mr.Montgomery. 4. Judicial Administration Section Governor Judge Alexander Wright reported That section heard from Richard Flax about the State Courts use Lexis/Nexis. The Section also reviewed 16 bills from the current Legislative Session that affected the administration of justice. The Section will once again host the sellout program So You Think You Are Smarter than a Law Clerk at the Annual meeting. The section will also host a program on self represented litigants on October 12, VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND GENERAL ORDERS - None

5 VI. NEW BUSINESS - None VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS Gregory Kirby, Chair-Elect of the Young Lawyers Section, reported on the upcoming YLS charitable event will be held on March 24, 2012.at Pier V Hotel in Baltimore. The charity is the Believe in Tomorrow Foundation. Tickets are available on line at the MSBA web site. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Hon. Pamila J. Brown Assistant Secretary