MINUTES OF MEETING MARYLAND STATE BAR ASSOCIATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 CHESAPEAKE HYATT 100 HERON BLVD. CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND President Brown called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m. A total of 29 current members and 11 new members of the Board were present. I. MINUTES The Board of Governors approved the Minutes for the March 15, 2016 and April 18, 2016 meetings. II. REPORT OF THE OFFICERS A. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT 1. President Brown reported on the MSBA's participation in the ABA's program - ABA Day in Washington D.C. It is an annual meeting where representatives from state bars attend and lobby congressional delegations for issues of importance to lawyers across the country. Topics included pro bono representation, sentencing reform and tax accounting as to lawyer income. 2. President Brown reviewed several articles identified in the agenda, including: a. Article re Court of Appeals Candidates b. Letter re Annual Meeting Invitation to Law Students c. Maryland s Top 100 Women Program Descriptions d. Article and Programs re CLREP s Mock Trials and Law Day Events 3. President Brown received the Report of Diversity and Inclusion Committee from Hon. Toni E. Clarke, Co-Chair. President Brown listed the accomplishments of the Committee during this bar year, including: o Section Chair Retreat in November 2016 o Conference of Bar Presidents in October 2016 o Katherine Nalty presentation
o Creation of the diversity and inclusion Committee o The upcoming Town Hall meeting with Dr. Artika Tyner speaker at Westminster Hall; concerning leadership and diversity Judge Clarke reported on the Committee s draft of a diversity statement which was distributed at the meeting, based upon models from other bars, including MSBA core values. Recommendations - distributed at the meeting. Encourage the MSBA and local bars to continue progress in diversity and inclusion by: - establishing a standing committee - establishing goals and objectives - require committees/sections to establish mission statements consistent with those create by MSBA - require that education panels be diverse - establish objective standards to determine compliance A number of members commented briefly on the recommendations. President encouraged the Board to consider and suggest any amendments the Committee s recommendations which will be voted upon at the Board's June meeting. 4. President Brown reported on the Maryland Vacancies for the ABA House of Delegates, information on which was distributed to the members prior to the meeting. Nominations for the term expiring in 2018 included: Hon. Pamila Brown, Sara Arthur, Harry Johnson and Jim Nolan. All were approved unanimously by the Board. 5. Anselm Sodaro Award for Judicial Civility: Chairman Mal Snyder, on behalf of his committee members Regine Francois and Tracy Steedman, gave the report on this year s recipient. The Committee recommended Judge Philip Nichols of the Circuit Court for Prince Georges County. Mr. Snyder recited Judge Nichols many fine attributes and awards. A number of Board members spoke warmly in favor of Judge Nichols. The Board voted unanimously to approve the recommendation. 6. MSBA Best Section Awards co-chair Mary Pizzo reported on the
recommendations for the 2016 awards; Benefiting the Public: Family Law Section for its program to educate the public on family law, including online and written materials. Benefitting Members to the Estates and Trusts Section for its program to assist and inform members on Estates and Trusts matters. The Board voted unanimously to approve the recommendations. Board members were encouraged to promote best section awards and encourage nominations. 7. Ms. Arthur reported on the status of Third Floor Lease at Bar Headquarters. The MSBA is now negotiating the lease with UMAB counsel; terms include 5 year term w/ 2 one year extensions; UMAB had initially asked for a rent increase of 2%. Following discussions of this issue, UMAB has now come back with a 1 year proposal. The MSBA is waiting for a response and may find ways to expedite the process.. 8. Executive Director Search Committee: President Brown asked co-chairs Jim Nolan and Harry Johnson on the ongoing Executive Director Search. Mr. Nolan and Mr. Johnson gave a comprehensive review and update on the search process. Jim Nolan gave a brief history on the search for the benefit of the current and new members of the Board. The co-chairs initially met with Paul Carlin to identify the traits desired in a new Executive Director. The Committee decided it was important to have executive experience in administration of a professional association, but not necessarily a bar association executive director. After much discussion and consultation with outside sources, the committee voted to use a national search firm to assist in the search and following a subcommittee s recommendation, selected Witt Kieffer, a well-known and highly regarded national executive search firm. Witt Kieffer met with Paul Carlin and MSBA staff and the search committee. From these meetings, Witt Kieffer created an executive profile and schedule. The Committee has received 40 applications at this point. The Committee will meet June 6 to review all candidates. Committee interviews of finalists will be June 27 and 28, with reduction to two finalists for an additional interview. The Committee intends to
make a recommendation to BOG at the September 2016 meeting. The timeline is to vote on a new ED in September, so as to permit time for overlap and acclimation of the incoming ED. All information about the schedule and executive profile will be published on the MSBA website. The new ED expected to be in place by December 1. In response to an inquiry about whether the BOG will have the opportunity to interview finalists, Mr. Nolan indicated that this has been a closed search. The new ED is not anticipated to meet with board prior to vote. The Committee has had no set preference for or bias against current bar executives of local bars. 9. President Brown identified a program on the Vietnam War to be shown on MPT on May 24, 25 and 26, 2016. Those profiled include retired Baltimore County Circuit Judge Timothy Martin. B. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Executive Director Paul Carlin gave an interesting report on striped bass or rockfish, on the menu for tonight's board dinner. Membership (Distributed at Meeting) : Resignations and other deletions, 4; New Members, 15; Reinstatements, 41; Membership Count - 23,306 Mr. Carlin briefly commented on a number of matters including: a. ABA Report National Lawyer Population and Demographics b. Data on Online Tennessee Justice Project c. Pennsylvania Lawyer To Wit article on technology; d Position Paper on Neckties C. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY The Secretary reported that the Executive Committee met by conference call on April 5, 2016 and considered the matters contained in the Board agenda. D. REPORT OF THE TREASURER Treasurer Sara Arthur highlighted aspects of the financial report distributed to
members prior to meeting; including dues income, CLE and publications income; extraordinary expenses ED search; investments are reduced due to transfer of Bates Vincent funds on books for accounting purposes. E. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT President Elect Storm discussed the Board oath administered for incoming board at the 2015 annual business meeting. Judge Storm requested that this practice continue this year and in upcoming years. Upon motion made and seconded the Board unanimously approved the motion. Judge Storm briefly excused himself during the meeting. He reappeared in a dramatic fashion. In full costume (a Jamaican soccer uniform and stylish cap) Judge Storm announced with appropriate flourish that the 2017 Mid-year meeting is now scheduled for Jamaica Grand Bahia Principe in February 18-25, 2017. Judge Storm encouraged all members to attend. III. REPORTS ON STANDING COMMITTEES A. Budget and Finance Committee Co-Chair John Murphy reported on the 2016-17 budget, a copy of which was distributed to the Board prior to the meeting. Mr. Murphy projects income as flat with expenses rising. The Committee forecasts a budget deficit for the upcoming year. The Committee would encourage the MSBA to focus on activities which can generate income (CLE, publications, etc.) Mr. Murphy thanked the committee members for their hard work. On motion made and seconded, Board unanimously approved the budget. B. Planning Committee Chair Regine Francois highlighted results of the Planning Retreat of April 8-9, 2016. A full report was distributed to the Board prior to the meeting. The Board received the Planning Committee report. IV. REPORTS ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES A. The Board received the report of the Special Committee on Marketing from Chairman Stan Gann. Mr. Gann reported the results of the McKinley Advisors Marketing study commissioned by MSBA. Information indicated that bar participation is
perceived to be a net negative on business generation for lawyers. Recommendations were reported by Mr. Gann which focused on goal of engaging membership. The Committee recommended that the MSBA engage a marketing contractor to implement the report s recommendations while the results remain fresh.. Mr. Gann's made a motion to: 1) approve retaining a part time marketing contractor for a 6-9 month term, and 2) at the June Board meeting to consider a budget of $35,000 to hire the contractor. On motion made and seconded, the Board unanimously approved motion. V. REPORTS OF SECTIONS- None. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND GENERAL ORDERS - None. VII. NEW BUSINESS PBRC s Joseph Dyer made an informational presentation on the purpose and work of the PBRC - to promote pro bono representation and to assist Maryland lawyers in fulfilling their pro bono obligations. Mr. Dyer made a request for funding FY 2016-17 in an amount of $125,000 from MSBA. He highlighted the June Fun Run, and the Maryland Partners for Justice Conference. VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Town Hall Meeting featuring Dr. Artika Tyner on May 16, 2016 at Westminster Hall. The program will focus on issues of diversity and inclusion in the practice of law. B. MSBA State and Local Government Section Spring Institute May 19, 2016, 8:30am-5pm, WSSC Headquarters. Laurel. C. President Brown recognized Board member and YLS Chair Tom Weschler receipt of the Daily Record s Generation J.D. Leadership in Law Award. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Keith R. Truffer Secretary