VOLUME 20, NUMBER 1 • FALL 2004 THE ADVOCATE · THE ADVOCATE YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION—MARYLAND STATE BAR ASSOCIATION VOLUME 20, NUMBER 1 • FALL 2004 The Advocate Celebrates Its

THE ADVOCATEY O U N G L A W Y E R S S E C T I O N — M A RY L A N D S TAT E B A R A S S O C I AT I O N

V O L U M E 2 0 , N U M B E R 1 • F A L L 2 0 0 4

The Advocate Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary!

In 1985, the Young Lawyers Section of the Maryland State Bar,wanting to offer its membership an information source about the Section,its members, and its events, began to publish a quarterly newsletter called The

Advocate. This year, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of this award-winning publication!Just one of the many ways the Young Lawyers Section will mark this momentous occa-

sion is probably already very apparent to our normal reader—our new look! The Advocate’s

transformation is thanks in large part to our brilliant graphic designer Amy DeHart ofDeHart Designs and to Rachel Cohen, this year’s Section Chair and a former editor of The

Advocate. Ms. DeHart has been working with the Young Lawyers Section on The Advocate

since 1997 and has been a wonderful asset to its editors. TheYoung Lawyers Section thanks her for her hard work in makingthis issue even more spectacular.

The Advocate will be giving its readers more than just a face-lift for Volume 20. Throughout the year, The Advocate will lookback on its past and that of the Section and the members who cre-ated and influenced it. We will be providing interviews with thepast editors to find out what really went on when they wereputting together those early issues. And we’ll also tell you wherethose editors are now and how the Young Lawyers Section hasinfluenced their careers and their involvement with the MarylandState Bar Association.

In addition to the interviews regarding the behind the scenes making of The Advocate,we will provide our readers a glimpse into the past by re-running some old stories to seewhat was important to the Section over the last twenty years, how it has evolved, and howit has stayed the course.

So keep your eyes open for your next issue, and thanks to everyone for reading

The Advocate, your number one source of information about the Young Lawyers Section! ❖

How can you help us celebrate our 20th year?If you, or someone you know, was a former editor of The Advocate, we’d like to knowabout them! We have identified many of the past editors, but we are still looking forsome of the earlier editors. We are also looking for past issues (namely vols. 1-10)that you may have stored away in your basement for posterity. The editors of TheAdvocate would also like to know how this publication has played a role in your

membership of the YLS and what you would like to see in the future. Article sugges-tions, pointers, and feedback can be sent to us at [email protected]. Or join ourphoto contest! Send us a digital photo of you reading The Advocate and we will pub-

lish it in our next issue. We look forward to hearing from you!

What’s Inside

2 From the Chair

3 Annual MeetingWrap-Up

4 NOVEMBERFEST

5 What We Do, AndHow to Join Us

7 Award WinnerHelps to Provide Pro BonoInsuranceRepresentation

8 Riding the Circuit

10 From behind thebench to in front of thebench…My journey from lawclerk to attorney

12 Calendar ofEvents

Throughout theyear, The

Advocate willlook back on itspast and that ofthe Section and

the memberswho created and

influenced it.

advocate issue #27 8/24/04 8:50 PM Page 1

Get More Out of your Career!

Colleagues:Are you satisfied with your career? If you are like

most young lawyers, you don’t have much time tothink about that question. But, if you have an inklingthat there may be more out there than billable hours,I invite you to consider getting involved in theMaryland State Bar Association, and the YoungLawyers Section in particular, as a path to gainingmore fulfillment from your career as a lawyer.

With more than more than 5,000 members, theYoung Lawyers Section is by far the largest andmost active section of the MSBA. With so manymembers, I am often asked by newly-admitted attorneys how they can take anactive role. It’s easier than you think, and it begins by showing up. Start by drop-ping by our open meeting at Westminster Hall (adjacent to the University ofMaryland School of Law) at 6:00 p.m. on October 18, 2004. Member-at-largeJonathan Kagan has put together a terrific panel discussion on “Alternative Pathsin Law.” Our esteemed panel will share their tips and answer your questionsabout the steps you need to take to in your career to reach the bench, become alegislator, or obtain a faculty position. The chairs of our various committees willalso be there to tell you how you can get more involved in the YLS for greater ful-fillment in your career today. And throughout the year, our membership commit-tee will be sponsoring our highly popular happy hours to give you an opportuni-ty to network with your peers.

If you only attend one YLS event this year, make it our annual fall gala –Novemberfest 2004, on Saturday, November 13th at 7:30 p.m. Novemberfest co-chairs, Michael Siri and Meredith O’Conner have chosen a terrific site for thisyear’s festivities: Catalina’s, with fabulous views of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.More details on our signature event, which will benefit the Maryland MentoringPartnership, are elsewhere in this newsletter.

If you joined this profession to make a difference in the lives of others, theYoung Lawyers Section provides several avenues for you to do just that. In June ofthis year, our Section voted to establish a standing committee on Pro Bono Serviceto promote and support increased pro bono efforts by our members. This newcommittee, chaired by Linda Springrose and Brent Phillips, will promote pro bono

opportunities around the state, sponsor pro bono projects, and seek expand-ed opportunities to render pro bono service forlawyers in every area of specialty.

Our Public Service committee hasalways championed volunteer projects to

help the youngest and most vulnerablemembers of our community. From supply

drives, fund-raising through our annual Novemberfest gala,and of course, sponsoring programs such as our annual mock trial

THE ADVOCATEYOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

MARYLAND STATE BAR ASSOCIATION

EDITORS

Elizabeth MorrisGwendolyn S. Tate

Charlene Daniels, Assistant Editor

OFFICERS

Rachel S. Cohen, ChairRuth-Ann E. Bennett, Chair-ElectDouglas D. Guidorizzi, Secretary

John J. Murphy, TreasurerJonathan P. Kagan, Member-At-Large

STANDING COMMITTEESACTIVITIES CO-CHAIRS:

Meredith O’Connor & Michael W. Siri

DISASTER RELIEF CO-CHAIRS: Paul Rouhanna & Gus Themelis

EDUCATION CO-CHAIRS: Alice Chong & Scott Nelson

MEMBERSHIP CO-CHAIRS: Jan I. Berlage & Tamara B. Goorevitz

NOMINATING CHAIR: Bradford S. Bernstein

POLICY CO-CHAIRS: Heather J. Crenshaw & Darren L. Kadish

PRO-BONO CO-CHAIRS: Brent Phillips & Linda Springrose

PUBLIC SERVICE CO-CHAIRS: Sarah Andrews & Susan Wyckoff

PUBLICATIONS CO-CHAIRS: Elizabeth Morris & Gwendolyn S. Tate

RESOLUTIONS CO-CHAIRS: I. Deandrei Drummond & Michelle E. Stawinski

TECHNOLOGY CO-CHAIRS: Mont Brownlee, III & S. Scott Tate

SPECIAL PROJECTS COMMITTEES

Annual Meeting Coordinator: John J. MurphyDiversity Initiatives: Michael W. Siri

CIRCUIT REPRESENTATIVES

Christopher A. Palmer, 1st CircuitShelly Patterson, 2nd Circuit (Cecil)

Demetrois G. Kaouris, 2nd Circuit (Queen Anne’s)Lawrence F. Kreis, Jr., 3rd Circuit (Harford)

Adam T. Sampson, 3rd Circuit (Baltimore Co.)Marla Zide, 5th Circuit (Anne Arundel)

Bradford S. Bernstein, 6th Circuit (Montgomery)Jennifer M. Lichtenfeld, 6th Circuit (Frederick)Marnell Cooper, 7th Circuit (Prince George’s)

Melony Joe Ellinger, 7th Circuit (Charles)Jason Hessler, 8th Circuit (Baltimore City)

BOG REPRESENTATIVES

Rachel S. Cohen Douglas D. Guidorizzi

Hughie D. Hunt Brian A. Zemil

ABA DELEGATE

Ruth-Ann E. Bennett

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

Suzanne M. Lewis

BUDGET & FINANCE LIAISON

Tracey E. Skinner

To get in touch with any of the individuals listed above, contact MSBAHeadquarters at 410-685-7878 or 800-492-1964; or log on to the Young

Lawyers Section website at www.msba.org/sec_comm/yls.

The Advocate is published quarterly by the Section of Young Lawyers ofthe Maryland State Bar Association, 520 West Fayette Street, Baltimore,

Md. 21201, 410-685-7878, 800-492-1964.

The opinions exercised in this publication are those of the authors andshould not be construed to represent the opinions or policies of the

Section of Young Lawyers or Maryland State Bar Association. ©2004 Maryland State Bar Association, Inc.

From the Chair

2 | THE ADVOCATE—Fall 2004

Rachel Cohen, Esq., Chair

continued on page 11


THE ADVOCATE: Vol. 20.1 | 3

Members of the Young LawyersSection once again enjoyed the fun andthe sun at the MSBA Annual Meetingin Ocean City, Maryland from June16th through the 19th. In addition tothe annual crab feast and enjoying thelocal bar associations’ hospitalitysuites, the conference provided excel-lent educational seminars put on byother Sections and Committees of theMSBA. One such seminar, hosted bythe YLS’s own Education Committee,was entitled, “The Traps and Pitfalls ofBankruptcy to Business Deals andLitigation Settlements.” See theProgram Highlight below for a full re-cap of the seminar. The YLS DisasterRelief Committee also sponsored itsannual volunteer attorney training.

The Section’s annual business meet-ing was held early Thursday evening,

during which the new officers wereelected. Other business conducted atthe meeting included the adoption ofseveral amendments to the YLS By-Laws. The revisions were proposed inorder make the Pro Bono Committee astanding committee of the YLS and tomake other technical corrections. Theamendments, promulgated by thePolicy Committee, passed with over-whelming success! After the businessmeeting, YLS members practiced theirnetworking skills at the annualPresident’s Reception on Thursdaynight. The reception provided MSBAmembers the chance to mingle withmembers of the bench and bar as wellas providing the opportunity to greetoutgoing MSBA President HarryJohnson and incoming President NeilHelfrich in a receiving line.

Friday morning saw warm weatherfor the participants in the YLS Sun Run,once again sponsored by The Daily

Record. The runners chose between a5K and 10K run and had fun while theyexercised. Men’s 5K winners wereMitch Greenberg (1st), Bob Anbinder(2nd), and Charlie Fisher, Jr. (3rd). TheWomen’s 5K winners were KathleenHilton (1st), Zoe Isabella (2nd), andKristen Connor (3rd). The Men andWomen 10K winners were WilliamMoore and Susie Belazod Hayes. TheYLS would like to congratulate the win-ners on their achievement and thanksall who came out for the race.

The MSBA YLS Section Councilwould like to thank those memberswho attended the Annual Meeting andlooks forward to seeing even moremembers next year! ❖

Program HighlightBy Jan I. Berlage

On Thursday, June 17, 2004, the Education Committeeof the Young Lawyers Section hosted a talk entitled, “TheTraps and Pitfalls of Bankruptcy to Business Deals andLitigation Settlements.” The panelists at the event were twoof Maryland’s top bankruptcy practioners, Richard Kremenof Piper Rudnick and Richard Goldberg of Shapiro SherGuinot & Sandler. Their presentation was designed to pro-vide a general background to bankruptcy with a specialemphasis on avoiding certain landmines that bankruptcycan present to business deals and litigation settlements.

Richard Goldberg was the first to speak. He focused onthe nuts and bolts of bankruptcy, taking the audiencethrough the entire bankruptcy process from filing a petitionto confirming a chapter 7 or chapter 11 plan. In doing so,

he provided a good overview as to what issue can arise in

the bankruptcy process from the prospective of both

debtors and creditors.

Richard Kremen then addressed the most common risks

associated with bankruptcy. In particular, he examined

avoidance actions from preferences to fraudulent con-

veyances. Not only did he explain the dynamics of those

types of claims, but provided advice as to how to structure

business deals and litigation settlements to shield them

from such actions. He also discussed bankruptcy crimes

and other issues that could lead to disbarment of a lawyer

or worse.

After their individual presentations, the speakers

opened the floor to questions. Those that attended the

event learned a lot about bankruptcy and how to avoid the

dangers it present to attorneys. ❖

A N N U A L M E E T I N G W R A P - U PBy Gwendolyn S. Tate, Esq.



Dress: Casually ElegantTickets: $55 each before October 1st (includes 5 free raffle tickets)

$105 for two tickets before October 1st (includes 10 free raffle tickets)$60 each after October 1st (no raffle tickets)

You’re invited to the biggest charity event of the year—the 14th Annual MSBA YoungLawyers Section’s Novemberfest Gala. Join members of the Maryland Bar for a night of live music,food, and drinks with hundreds of other young professionals. Also partake in the silent auction and

casino gambling with all proceeds going to the Maryland Mentoring Partnership.

A limited number of tickets are available, so purchase tickets by October 29th by sending payment to MSBA, 520 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 Attn: Judy Larrimore or or

buy online at www.msba.org.

Please contact Activities Committee co-chairs Michael W. Siri at [email protected] or MeredithO’Connor at [email protected] if you have any questions, would like to become a member

of the Activities Committee, or are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor for this event.

Novemberfest 2004 Saturday November 13, 2004

7:30 pm until 11:30pm

Catalina Restaurant at Harborview500 Harborview DriveBaltimore, MD 21230


ACTIVITIES

Meredith O’Conner andMichael W. Siri, Co-chairs

Novemberfest 2004 will be held onNovember 13th at CatalinaRestaurant, located near theHarborview Condominiums in down-town Baltimore. The annual charityevent will begin at 7:30 p.m., withfood, drinks, and music. This year’scharity is the Maryland MentoringPartnership (“MMP”). Founded in1988, MMP is Maryland’s largest full-service youth mentoring organization,serving as a resource, advocate, expertand provider of quality mentoring.MMP’s comprehensive programsinclude the Maryland State MentoringResource Center, 13,000 mentoringrelationships in the community-widementoring recruitment task force,Project RAISE II (Raising Ambitionand Increasing Self-Esteem), resourcedevelopment, and public awareness.Make sure you keep November 13thopen for this annual event!

Anyone interested in assisting withNovemberfest or becoming a memberof the Activities Committee, please con-tact Michael W. Siri at [email protected] or Meredith O’Connor [email protected].

DISASTER RELIEF

Paul Rouhana andGus Themelis, Co-chairs

The Disaster Relieft Committee iscurrently organizing a sub-committeeto put together a “Disaster ReadinessGuide.” The goal of this publication isto help the community prepare theirhomes and lives for a disaster and toprovide tips on damage recovery. TheCommittee plans to have a meetingthis September to dicuss the contentsof the guide and to begin drafting itscontents. If anyone is interested inhelping with this essential publication,please contact Gus Themelis [email protected] or 410-832-8045.

EDUCATIONAlice Chong and Scott Nelson,

Co-chairs

The Education Committee is hop-ing to bring the Section’s membershipseveral worthwhile seminars onceagain this year. If you have any topicsyou wish to explore or if you wouldlike to get involved with this commit-tee, please contact Alice Chong [email protected] or ScottNelson at [email protected].

MEMBERSHIPJan I. Berlage and

Tamara Goorevitz, Co-chairs

The Membership Committee willbe sponsoring THIRSTY THURS-DAYS, to take place (almost) everythird Thursday of the month. The firstThirsty Thursday will be held onSeptember 23, 2004, in Baltimore, spe-cific location to be announced. Pleasekeep an eye out for more information!Subsequent THIRSTY THURSDAYSwill be held in Anne Arundel Countyon October 21, 2004 and in BaltimoreCounty on November 18, 2004. Otherdates and specific locations to be

announced. If you are interested inhaving a THIRSTY THURSDAY inyour area or if you are interested inserving on the MembershipCommittee, please contact CommitteeChairs Jan Berlage at [email protected] or Tamara Goorevitz [email protected].

PRO BONOBrent Phillips and

Linda Springrose, Co-chairs

The Pro Bono Committee is plan-ning our year and would love yourinput or involvement! If you are inter-ested in becoming involved, please con-tact co-chairs Brent Phillips at 301-952-4649 or Linda Springrose [email protected] or 410-230-3612, or vice-chair, Leo Wise [email protected]. The Committeeis hoping to have “Pro BonoRoadshows” around the State this yearto hook young lawyers up with localpro bono opportunities. The Committeealso hopes to showcase alternative typesof pro bono work.

PUBLIC SERVICE Sarah Andrews and

Susan Wyckoff, Co-chairs

The Public Service Committee ishard at work one again this year. TheCommittee is hoping for an excitingand active year. If you are interested inparticipating on the Public ServiceCommittee or would like to learnmore about the events in store thisyear, contact Sarah Andrews at [email protected] or SusanWyckoff at [email protected].

RESOLUTIONS I. DeAndrei Drummond and

Michelle E. Stawinski, Co-chairs

Do you have your finger on thepulse of young Maryland lawyers? Areyou interested in contributing to ourdebate on matters important to yourcolleagues? Do you want to become


Get Connected with theCommittees of the

Young Lawyers Section

What We Do,And How to

Join Us

continued on page 6



more active in the bar? If youanswered a resounding “YES” to thesequestions, the Resolutions Committeeneeds you. We are currently recruitingmembers for the 2004-2005 bar year.If you are interested, please contactMichelle Stawinski at (410) 752-6000or De Drummond at (301) 952-3550.

TECHNOLOGY Mont Brownlee and

S. Scott Tate, Co-chairs

The Technology Committee isworking on revamping and updatingthe YLS website, www.msba.org/sec_comm/yls. Suggestions and com-ments are welcome! Contact MontBrownlee at [email protected] orScott Tate at [email protected] if you areinterested in assisting with this muchneeded renovation. ❖

Did you know?In addition to the fabulous networking opportunities and membership benefits

that come with being an Attorney Member of the Maryland State BarAssociation you are entitled to vendors discounts including the following:

ABA PUBLICATIONSThe Maryland State Bar Association is offering outstanding ABA

Publications to its members at substantial discounts. The publications areoffered at 30% less than the ABA non-member price. Currently there are thirty

publications being offered. A description of all the ABA Publications and anorder form is available. You may fax the order to Pat Yevics at 410-837-0518.

CAR RENTALSSpecial rates are available with Avis, Budget, and Hertz. Refer to the

following phone and account numbers: Avis—(800) 331-1212, Account Number A/A—493100; Budget—(800) 455-2848,

Account Number T440900; Hertz—(800) 654-2210, Account Number 42292.

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATIONMSBA Members receive preferential pricing on all courses offered by the

Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers(MICPEL). MSBA members get a $30 discount on all regular, live

MICPEL courses. Plus, MICPEL gives an additional $20 discount onprograms to young attorneys who are members of MSBA's Young

Lawyers Section, and a $20 discount to MSBA Section members whenthey attend a program sponsored by their Section. For more details

contact MICPEL at 410-659-6730 or at www.micpel.edu.

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscription Services, Inc. will enable MSBA members to order and renew

their magazine subscriptions in a convenient easy to use format—all at guaran-teed lowest rates--Save up to 50% off regular magazine subscription rates! Go

to www.buymags.com/msba to start ordering your subscriptions today!

OFFICE EQUIPMENTAdvance Business Systems offers copiers and fax machines plus

accessories, laser printers, shredding machines, digital network systems and other equipment and supplies for law offices

to MSBA members at discount prices. Contact the sales department at 410-252-4800.

PROFESSIONAL PRINTINGMaryland State Bar Association Members can receive a special contract rates on

printed stationery, engraved and printed letterhead, envelopes, business cards andother stationery products through Baltimore Office Supply Company (BOSCO).

For more information about services, and to order stationery for your businessneeds, contact John Atkinson, BOSCO Vice President of Sales, at 410-539-5184.

SHIPPINGMembers can receive a 22% savings on overnight shipments from Airborne

Express with morning delivery usually by 10:30 a.m. Call (888) 758-9855 andgive the MSBA code N32-YMLD. New Airborne Customersare eligible for free shipment of their first 2 pound package,

within 2 weeks for receiving an Airborne Starter Kit.

For more information on these and other exciting benefits, check out theMember Benefits on the MSBA website, www.msba.org!

Do you have an area of expertise that your colleagues arealways asking you about? Haveyou been trying to spread the

word about your last pro bonocase? Or do you just have an arti-

cle that you would like to getpublished? The Advocate is your

opportunity to shine!!

The Editors of The Advocatere looking for “nuts and bolts”articles on different areas of lawto share with the Section and probono experience pieces to let the

Section know that interestingcases are waiting for them asthey aspire toward their pro

bono goals. If you are interestedin submitting an article, or

would like more information,contact Gwendolyn Tate [email protected]

Say it here…

THE ADVOCATE

What We Do, And How to Join Uscontinued from page 5



Award WinnerHelps to Provide

Pro BonoInsurance

RepresentationBy Linda Springrose, Esq.

The Alex Fee Memorial Award wasestablished and first presented at theMSBA Annual Meeting in 2003, and isto be presented each year to a YoungLawyer in honor of his or her out-standing contribution in the area ofpro bono legal service. The award isnamed in memory of the son of YLSmember Edwin G. Fee, Jr. who himselfdemonstrated a deep commitment topro bono service.

This summer, the award went toSusan M. Euteneuer, an associate atthe firm of Hodes, Ulman, Pessin &Katz, P.A. Although Susan works pri-marily for insurance companies, shehas the knowledge she has gained torepresent insureds seeking coverage ona pro bono basis. She was awarded forher efforts over the course of this pastyear, during which she concentratedher pro bono efforts on two particularclients: a non-profit organization dedi-cated to improving the lives of poor,inner-city youth, and a mentally ill

teenager with no income of his ownand limited family resources.

Pro Bono CasesFor the non-profit, Susan provided

guidance regarding their insuranceneeds and assisting the organization inevaluating its options. Her work withallowed the office to avoid litigationand focus on its primary mission, toprovide services to poor, inner-cityyouth.

Susan also represented a teenagedclient and his family against the family’shealth insurance provider before theMaryland Insurance Administration.The provider was refusing to pay formedically necessary post-discharge ther-apy that would have enabled the childto stay in the custody of his parents.With this alternative therapy, the familymight not have been able to keep cus-tody of their son, and were, in fact,being encouraged to relinquish custody.

The catch-22 in which the familyfound themselves was not uncommonto those with severely mentallyill children. These families gen-erally have enough resources topurchase insurance, but theinsurance does not cover someof the more expensive, residen-tial treatment that the childrenmay need in order to get better.In some situations, children can-not live at home, leaving parentsfaced with the choice of either goingbankrupt paying for uncovered treat-ment themselves or relinquishing cus-tody to the State to provide the needed

treatment. Susan’s client found himselfin such a situation; the State was advo-cating that his parents relinquish cus-tody. Governor Ehrlich put a stop tothis practice in his second ExecutiveOrder as Governor. The problem ofhow to obtain coverage for treatmentfor these children, however, has notbeen fully solved, although Susan andher firm have taken the lead in assist-ing in a solution on different levels.

Susan has assisted mentally illclients in obtaining coverage for need-ed treatment. This extremely reward-ing representation has enabled Susanto observe her client transform fromsomeone who she had safety concernsfor to a stabilized person.

In addition to working with individ-ual clients, Susan has been working toaddress some of the more systemic prob-lems. Susan’s work with this client alsoled her to assist his mother in supplyingtestimony to the Maryland GeneralAssembly in support of state legislationto create a task force to examine sys-temic barriers to commercially insuredindividuals when attempting to accesscommunity treatment. Susan also foundthat mental health providers are part ofthe problem. Although Marylandrequires parity of coverage for mentalhealth and physical health issues, somemental health providers are unaware of

what insurance companiesrequire and why.Accordingly, Susan andher firm have developed aplan to provide presenta-tions to mental healthcare professionals to useas a tool to provide assis-tance to families facedwith raising a mentallyill child. They are

also working with the MarylandInsurance Administration and insurerson this issue.

Susan has proven that it is not impossible tomake a… difference to

people’s lives at the same time as you

make a living.

continued on page 9


3RD CIRCUITBALTIMORE COUNTY

Adam T. Sampson, Circuit Representative

The Young Lawyers’ Committee ofthe Baltimore County Bar Associationwill host its 1st Annual Crab Feast atOregon Ridge Park on September 18,2004. The cost is $45 for adults and$20 for children ages 6 to 12, whichincludes steamed crabs, burgers, hotdogs, BBQ chicken, and other food.Horseshoe pits and volleyball nets willbe available, and face painting and bal-loons will be offered for children, sothere will be plenty of fun for all.Please contact the BCBA ExecutiveDirector, Heather Martin, at 410-337-9103 if you are interested in purchas-ing tickets.

The following appointments wereinvested during the month of July:Mickey J. Norman as Associate Judgeof the Baltimore County Circuit Court;Edward P. Murphy (known to many as“Swede”) as Associate Judge of theBaltimore County District Court; SallyCreighton Chester as Associate Judgeof the Baltimore County District

Court. Congratulations to all of the

newly appointed Judges!

Congratulations are also in order

for John B. Gontrum of Whiteford,

Taylor, and Preston, who has been

installed as the new Baltimore County

Bar Association President.

HARFORD COUNTYLawrence F. Kreis, Jr., Circuit Representative

The Harford County Bar Association

turned out in big numbers at the Annual

Meeting in Ocean City to see one of its

own, Cornelius Helfrich, inducted as the

MSBA President. The HCBA hosted a

Hospitality Suite by the pool at the

Clarion and conducted many well-

attended Happy Hours to celebrate.

In August, the new President of the

HCBA, Michael Hickey, Esq., orga-

nized an outing on the Lantern Queen,

a restored paddle boat in Havre de

Grace that tours the Susquehanna and

Chesapeake Bay. A good time was had

by all. On September 17th the Annual

Crab Feast will be conducted at

Rockfield Manor in Bel Air. Come out

and join the fun!.

The HCBA has some big plans

for this year and so far it is off to a

great start.

5TH CIRCUITANNE ARUNDEL

Marla Zide, Circuit Representative

The summer in Annapolis has been

great, despite all of the construction

on West Street, everyone is looking

forward to a gorgeous new street in

the Fall.

Broadway beckoned once again!

August 14, 2004 was the annual bus

trip to New York City. Everyone hag a

fantastic time and were thrilled to see

the Tony award winning show, Wicked.

As the summer ends and we look

forward to the beginning of a new

school year the Anne Arundel CountyBar Association requests donationsand assistance with the Back to SchoolBackpack Drive. The Backpack driveprovides local disadvantaged minorityelementary students with a new back-pack and school supplies.

The annual Crab Feast isSeptember 17 at 12:00 p.m. Everyoneis hoping for good weather and lots offun at Sandy Point Beach.

And, finally, the much anticipatedsecond year of Bowling begins inSeptember! Bowling is on Tuesdaysfrom 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at theAnnapolis Bowling Center off of Rt.450. For more information contactLisa Vallario at the Anne ArundelCounty States Attorneys Office, 410-222-1160, ext. 3837

6TH CIRCUITFREDERICK COUNTYJennifer M. Lichtenfeld, Circuit Representative

Frederick County’s Bar Associationhas recently formed a Young Lawyer’sCommittee! The Committee kickedthings off with a happy hour on July8th and another on August 12th. Ifyou are interested in future events,please contact Jennifer Lichtenfeld [email protected] or 301-696-2991. We look forward to seeingyou at future events!

MONTGOMERY COUNTYBradford S. Bernstein, Circuit Representative

Ryan Wechsler, Marjorie DiLima,and Omolade Akinbolaji will chairThe New Practitioners Section of theMontgomery County Bar Associationthis year. There will be three regionalhappy hours during the coming year,as well as the Courthouse Tour &Cookout for New Admittees to the Bar


Riding theCircuit

continued on next page


on Thursday, September 9, 2004. The

first happy hour will be held on

September 30, 2004 from 6:00 - 7:30

p.m. at Willie and Reid's in downtown

Bethesda. While the New Practioners

Section is open to all attorneys with

less than eight years of practice, we

hope that senior members of the bench

and bar will join us for these events.

The new District Court in Silver

Spring opened on August 23, 2004.

The new courthouse is located at 8552

Second Avenue in Silver Spring and is

closer to the Silver Spring Metro. The

state-of-the-art facility is the result of

years of work through some very diffi-

cult fiscal times for the State and

County. The new courthouse has five

courtrooms, each of which has two

client conference rooms. The new

courthouse also offers a lawyers’

lounge.

The Montgomery County Bar

Association is having its annual Red

Cross Blood Drive on October 13,

2004 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please contact the Bar Association at

301-424-3453 to set up your appoint-

ment today.

The Montgomery County Bar

Association’s Travel Committee is

offering to its members a group dis-

counted ski trip to Park City, Utah in

February. This five-night trip is sched-

uled just before the ABA’s mid-year

meeting in Salt Lake City, allowing you

to easily arrange the two trips together.

If you are interested, please contact

Kathryn Bender at [email protected] or

call at 301-469-8676.

Finally, the Annual Golf and Tennis

Charity Classic is going to be held at

Argyle Country Club on October 11,

2004. Join your colleagues for an

enjoyable day of Golf and Tennis in

support of the Montgomery County

Bar Foundation. This is the “one

fundraiser” of the year to benefit the

Pro Bono Program, High School Mock

Trials, Juvenile Justice Initiatives and

Law School for the Public. Please joint

the Bar for the Silent Auction and

wonderful Buffet Diner. If you are

interested in attending, please contact

Roccio Ramos at 301-340-2534.

7TH CIRCUIT

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTYMarnell A. Cooper,

Circuit Representative

On Saturday, August 21, 2004, the

Maryland Inter-County Bar Association

Co-ed Softball Tournament took place

at Watkins Park in Largo. The event

was well attended and everyone had a

great time. Then, on Thursday,

September 2, 2004 a retirement celebra-

tion for Master Yochelson was held in

the Marbury Wing Room 080,

Courthouse in Upper Marlboro.

On Tuesday, September 14, 2004 at

6 p.m. a membership meeting for the

Prince George’s County Bar Association

will be held at the Show Place Arena in

Upper Marlboro. We look forward to

seeing everyone there. ❖


The goal is to balance the needs ofthe insurance companies, the State, andits taxpayers, with those who requireservices. Susan’s dedication to thisendeavor is the reason for her award.

Balancing Pro Bono and WorkHow does Susan balance her pro

bono and her work life, one mightwonder after reading the above. Sheherself admits that it is not easy to bal-ance billable hours, the needs of a pro

bono client like hers, and a home life.She feels it is worth the effort, and shehas support from her firm. She has thesame resources at her disposal as shehas for paying clients, as well as theability to call on the expertise of hercolleagues and partners.

Pro bono was important to Susan,so much so that, prior to accepting aposition, she asked the firm whetherthere was a prohibition against pro

bono service. As do many firms, shewas told that there was not, but thatshe had to continue to make her bill-ables. Although balancing betweenbillables and pro bono is difficult,Susan proven that it is not impossibleto make a very large and tangible dif-ference to people’s lives at the sametime as you make a living.

Congratulations to SusanEuteneuer and Hodes, Ulman, Pessin& Katz, P.A. for all of their hard work,and to Susan for the Alex FeeMemorial Award. ❖

Linda Springrose is an associate at Franklinand Prokopik P.C. and is Co-chair of theYLS Pro Bono Committee.

Award Winner continued from page 7 DeHartdesigns

NEWSLETTER DESIGN & LAYOUT

LOGO DESIGN

STATIONERY PACKAGES

DIRECT MAIL

BROCHURES

POSTERS

& MORE!

Call Amy DeHart at 410-465-2644



Before I started practicing law, Iworked as a judicial law clerk for ajudge in the Circuit Court forBaltimore City. My experience wasslightly different from most of my fel-low law clerks because my positionwas with a new judge. Since I washired before his public swearing-in, Iwas able to attend the ceremony. Atthat ceremony my judge’s closest fam-ily members and friends honored hisachievement. For me, the event pro-vided a rare glimpse into the life ofmy not-too-future employer, beyondwhat I had learned during the inter-view process.

When I started my clerkship afterthe bar exam, the judge had been onthe bench for about a month. Thejudge’s chambers, since he was the newman on the totem pole, were less thanglamorous. When you walked into thechambers you were immediately con-fronted by the secretary’s desk and thelaw clerk’s desk, facing each otherbecause of the lack of space. Initially,the set-up of the office concerned mebecause I was not sure if I would beable to be productive sitting acrossfrom someone on a daily basis.Fortunately, my concerns were unwar-ranted. My clerkship was very reward-ing. It provided me with an invaluableintroduction to the court system andthe litigation process, as well as a greatfriend and mentor in my judge.

My clerkship ended on a Friday inAugust and I began my new job thefollowing Monday. I was sad that my

clerkship ended. I developed a friend-ship with both the judge and his secre-tary that I will forever cherish. On thelast day, his secretary and I embracedand gave each other a tearful goodbyeon the courthouse steps. The very ten-der moment was put in perspectivewhen another judge walked by andstated, “For crying out loud Liz, you’reonly moving two floors up!” He wasright. My new position was in the

courthouse directly two floors abovemy old chambers.

While I was extremely excitedabout the position, I was somewhatnervous appearing in front of myjudge. My judge was sitting in thedomestic docket and, in my new posi-tion, I would be litigating domesticviolence cases. In Baltimore City, thethree judges sitting in the domesticdocket are assigned the ProtectiveOrder docket on a weekly basis. Myjudge would have the protective orderdocket every three weeks. I knew it

was only a mat-ter of time until Iwould be appearingbefore him, and a short time at that!Every law clerk knows that there is achance that they will appear in front oftheir judge someday. But we all secret-ly hope that day will be sometime wayin the future, when we have had yearsof litigation experience, and the judge’seyes would brim with pride as wemade our legal argument. In my case,since I had been a practicing attorneyfor about two seconds, I feared thatmy judge, after I made an argumentwould say in an incredulous tone,“Ms. Morris is that the type of logicyou applied when I asked you toresearch an issue?”

In the first weeks at my new job,the courthouse did not even seem likethe same place I worked in for the pastyear. Gone was the easy access into theclerks office and the judge’s chambers.Those who had previously rushed toaccommodate my every request, I soonfound out when I was told to get inline and wait, had not done so becauseof my charming personality. In my firstcase, I was quickly reminded by ajudge that I was now on the “otherside” when she asked “Why is yourclient not present?” and I respondednonchalantly, “Oh, I will just waiveher appearance.” The judge replied,“You mean that you are requesting thiscourt to waive your client’s appear-ance,” with a stern look from behind

Every law clerk knows that there is a chance that

they will appear in front oftheir judge someday. But we

all secretly hope that daywill be sometime way in the future, when we have

had years of litigation experience, and the judge’s

eyes would brim with pride as we made our

legal argument.

From behind the bench to in front of the bench…

My journey from law clerk to attorney

By Elizabeth Morris, Esq.

continued on next page



program and job skills workshop, this year’s committee, chaired by SarahAndrews and Susan Wyckoff, will continue in that fine tradition.

Our Disaster Relief Committee has mobilized on three separate occasions inthe past three years to help victims of federally-declared disasters in Maryland.This year, the committee, led by co-chairs Paul Rouhana and Gus Themelis, willwrite and publish a Disaster Readiness Guide to help our neighbors prepare in theevent of a disaster and provide tips on damage recovery.

These are just a few of the ways that you can access many of the benefits ofvolunteering in the Young Lawyers Section. Those attorneys who devote profes-sional and personal time to volunteering with a bar association can tell you thatthe energy they invest reaps many rewards. Uniformly, my colleagues who areactive in the MSBA or their local bar are by far among those most satisfied withtheir professional lives. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Kindest regards,

Rachel S. CohenChair

Rachel Cohen is an Assistant Attorney General for the Maryland State Retirement andPension System, and is Chair of the Young Lawyers Section.

her bench. As I deferentially respond-ed, “Yes your honor, that is myrequest,” I thought YIKES! Is this thesame person who a few days agocausally asked about my vacation?

As I reflect on the early days whenI nervously placed my name on therecord, it seems hard to believe that Iam ending my first full year of prac-tice. While I know my transition topracticing attorney is officially com-plete and I no longer expect the bene-fits that come along with working forthe judge, I know that I will always bemy judge’s law clerk, and from thatexperience I have already benefited. ❖

Elizabeth Morris, Esq. is a Staff Attorneyat the YWCA of Anne Arundel County.She practices in domestic violence andfamily law.

Take advantage of the various committees and activitiesthat the Young Lawyers Section has to offer. Tell us howyou would like to get involved:

YES! Sign me up. (check all that apply):❏ Activities committee. This committee plans the

Section’s signature gala event, Novemberfest, as well asorganizing various other events to benefit our member-ship throughout the year.

❏ Disaster Relief committee. In conjunction with theABA and FEMA, this committee provides emergencylegal assistance to victims of federally-declared disas-ters.

❏ Education committee. This committee sponsors edu-cational programs targeted to be of value to our mem-bership, including legal research, trial skills, and timemanagement.

❏ Membership committee. This committee wages acontinuing campaign to increase the Section’s member-ship by sponsoring socials and other events statewide.

❏ Pro Bono committee. This committee works toincrease pro bono representation by young lawyersstatewide by promoting pro bono service, sponsoring

projects, and seeking expanded pro bono opportunitiesfor lawyers in every specialty.

❏ Public Service committee. This committee coordi-nates the Section’s public service projects throughoutthe year, enabling us to give back to our community.

❏ Publications committee. This committee publishesThe Advocate, our award-winning quarterly. We needwriters, editors and people who can contribute storyideas.

❏ Law Student projects. This committee plans socialand educational events to help our associate membersbridge the gap from law school to practice.

Name: _____________________________________

Street Address: ______________________________

City/State/Zip:_______________________________

Daytime Phone: _____________________________

Fax:________________________________________

E-mail: _____________________________________

Clip and return this form to the MSBA Young Lawyers Section, Attn: Greg Derwart, Maryland Bar Center, 520 West Fayette Street,

Baltimore, Maryland 21201, or email your interests and contact information to Greg Derwart at [email protected].

JOIN US AND GET INVOLVED!

From the Chaircontinued from page 2

From behind the benchcontinued from page 10


September 17th: Harford Co. Bar Association’s Annual Crab Feast

September 17th: Anne Arundel Co. Bar Assoc. Annual Crab Feast @ Sandy Point Beach

September 18th: Baltimore Co. Bar Assoc. Young Lawyer’s Committee Crab Feast @ Oregon Ridge

September 23rd: YLS “Thirsty Thursday” in BaltimoreSeptember 30th: Montgomery Co. New Practitioners Happy Hour @

Willie & Reids in BethesdaOctober 11th: Montgomery Co. Annual Golf & Tennis Charity ClassicOctober 13th: Montgomery Co. Bar Assoc. Annual Red Cross Blood DriveOctober 18th: YLS Section Council Open Meeting—“Alternative Careers in Law”October 21st: YLS “Thirsty Thursday” in AnnapolisNovember 13th: SAVE THE DATE FOR NOVEMBERFEST 2004!!!November 18th: YLS “Thirsty Thursday” in Baltimore County

Check out the "What we do" and "Riding the Circuit" Sections inside, and watch your mailboxes, for more details on these and other exciting events.

Calendar of Events

Section of Young LawyersMaryland State Bar Association, Inc.520 West Fayette StreetBaltimore, Maryland 21201

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDBaltimore, MDPermit #3542

THE ADVOCATE

Postmaster:Dated Material


Documents

VOLUME 20, NUMBER 1 • FALL 2004 THE ADVOCATE · THE ADVOCATE YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION—MARYLAND STATE BAR ASSOCIATION VOLUME 20, NUMBER 1 • FALL 2004 The Advocate Celebrates Its