Expanding the Scope of MSBA Advocacy to Protect the Profession
BY SHAOLI SARKAR, ESQ.
THIS YEAR, THE MARYLAND STATE BAR ASSOCIATION (MSBA) continued to advocate on behalf of the legal profession in Annapolis, successfully preventing any new fees or taxes that impact attorneys, developing and passing legislation to allow expedited business filings, strengthening court security standards and investigations of threats against judges, and upholding the rule of law and access to courts. While MSBA’s state advocacy and connections with Maryland lawmakers are an important part of our mission, our role in serving as the voice of the legal profession is also essential at the federal level.
THAT IMPACT ATTORNEYS
Expanding the Scope of MSBA Advocacy to Protect the Profession
BY SHAOLI SARKAR, ESQ.
THIS YEAR, THE MARYLAND STATE BAR ASSOCIATION (MSBA) continued to advocate on behalf of the legal profession in Annapolis, successfully preventing any new fees or taxes that impact attorneys, developing and passing legislation to allow expedited business filings, strengthening court security standards and investigations of threats against judges, and upholding the rule of law and access to courts. While MSBA’s state advocacy and connections with Maryland lawmakers are an important part of our mission, our role in serving as the voice of the legal profession is also essential at the federal level.
THAT IMPACT ATTORNEYS
While MSBA’s state advocacy and connections with Maryland lawmakers are an important part of our mission, our role in serving as the voice of the legal profession is also essential at the federal level.
MSBA strengthened
court security standards and investigations of THREATS AGAINST JUDGES
In April, we protected the autonomy of our profession and trust in the courts by responding to the Department of Justice’s Proposed Rule for Review of State Bar Complaints and Allegations Against Department of Justice (DOJ) Attorneys. The proposed framework would prevent current and former DOJ attorneys from being investigated by state bar disciplinary authorities for misconduct or ethical violations and would dilute the integrity of the legal system, interfere with the authority of the Supreme Court of Maryland to regulate the practice of law, and create a professional conflict of interest for DOJ attorneys.
MSBA responded by activating our advocacy network and drafting and filing formal comments urging immediate withdrawal of the rule. Through a sign-on initiative and advocacy alerts, 172 attorneys and 19 law firms and organizations joined MSBA’s opposition, including Gallagher LLP, Goodell, DeVries, Leech & Dann, LLP, Maryland Legal Aid, and the Baltimore County Bar Association. MSBA’s comments and signatories sent a clear message regarding the collective strength of the legal profession in upholding the rule of law and ethical standards, and in preserving public trust.
In our comments, we affirmed the commitment to the rule of law, administration of justice, and professional accountability: “The Proposed Rule would directly contradict and
interfere with the established authority of state courts to regulate attorneys…. [and] would prevent DOJ attorneys from timely fulfillment of their ethical requirements at the state level . . . Admission to the bar is based on a commitment to the rule of law and a code of ethics, personal to each attorney and independent of one’s employer.”
MSBA also proactively and intentionally connects with our federal representatives to further our legislative priorities. During our federal advocacy meetings with the American Bar Association (ABA) in Washington, D.C., this spring, MSBA met with Maryland congressional representatives to ensure that the challenges facing our members and the clients we serve remain part of the federal dialogue. We had meaningful conversations regarding federal funding for legal services and federal public defenders, preserving attorney-client privilege in digital communications, and improving judicial security resources and tracking.
Taking our advocacy to Washington, D.C., ensures that MSBA is not only reacting to federal proposals but actively shaping the policies that govern our profession nationwide. MSBA’s strength is in the collective action and unified voice of our members. We remain thankful for and open to your expertise and commitment to advocacy through our sections and committees as we continue our work across the state and in Washington, D.C.
DISCOVER MORE For more information about MSBA and advocacy, visit msba.org/advocacy. Share your voice with us by contacting advocacy@msba.org.