| RECENT EVENTS MSBA UPDATES | MSBA DAY INSIDE ANNAPOLIS
A DVO C ACY AT WO R K
On February 11, 2025, MSBA members gathered in Annapolis for MSBA Day, an annual event dedicated to legislative advocacy and engagement with Maryland’s General Assembly. As the leading voice of the legal profession in Maryland, MSBA continues to advocate for policies that protect attorneys, judges, and the broader legal system while ensuring access to justice for all Marylanders.
who shared his deeply personal perspective as the son of a judge who faced coordinated attacks due to his position. Corderman’s moving statements illustrated that the growing safety concerns for legal professionals is a long-standing issue, emphasizing why it is a top priority for the 2025 legislative session.
MSBA’S 2025 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
THE ROLE OF MSBA’S LAWS COMMITTEE
Attorneys, legal professionals, and community partners arrived at Governor Calvert House to kick off a day of advocacy. MSBA President Raphael J. Santini welcomed attendees, recognizing their commitment to shaping Maryland’s legal landscape. He emphasized that MSBA’s advocacy efforts directly impact the profession, whether by defeating harmful legislation, ensuring judicial security, or securing funding for vital legal aid programs.
Before concluding the morning session, Kelly Hughes Iverson, co-chair of the MSBA Laws Committee, outlined MSBA’s process for monitoring legislation. She explained how MSBA evaluates bills based on their impact on the legal profession and access to justice and encouraged members to stay engaged in advocacy efforts throughout the session.
Ensuring the safety of Maryland’s legal professionals remains a top priority for MSBA. Santini highlighted MSBA’s support of HB789/SB621, a bill designed to establish minimum security standards in Maryland courtrooms. This initiative builds on last year’s Judge Andrew Wilkinson Judicial Security Act, which improved protections for judges following his tragic murder.
Santini thanked participants for “joining us from all over the state and from so many different practice areas" and shared, "Your expertise, experience, and client stories are the most powerful tools we have in ensuring our voices are heard."
M A K I N G T H E VO I C E O F T H E L E G A L P R O F ES S I O N heard
The morning opened with remarks from key state leaders, including Maryland Chief Justice Matthew Fader, who spoke on the urgent need for enhanced judicial security and the varying security standards across the state, and Senator Paul Corderman,
Additionally, former Attorney General Brian Frosh provided an advocacy training session, emphasizing the importance of direct outreach to legislators. Frosh encouraged attorneys to build relationships with lawmakers and to continue following up beyond MSBA Day to ensure their voices remain heard.
Following the opening session, MSBA members participated in legislative briefings, where they received in-depth analysis on three key policy issues. JUDICIAL AND ATTORNEY SECURITY
Santini also emphasized MSBA’s ongoing work to develop long-term solutions for
As the leading voice of the legal profession in Maryland, MSBA continues to advocate for policies that protect attorneys, judges, and the broader legal system while ensuring access to justice for all Marylanders. MARYLAND BAR JOURNAL | VOLUME 6 ISSUE 3
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