On any given day, I may be in court. After enough trips, the process has become somewhat routine. I make sure that I am prepared, I arrive before the scheduled time (which allows me to talk with opposing counsel or go over any last-minute details that may have come up with my client), I wait to be called by the court and then we are off to the races.

I am also fortunate because the clients that I usually represent (businesses and their owners with any disputes that arise throughout the life of their companies) usually have some familiarity with the legal process. Essentially, for the most part, they already understand the legal process or understand the process after a brief explanation.

Unfortunately, for others, the legal system is a foreign concept shaped by two- or three-minutes clips from the daily news and hour-long legal dramas (a la “The Firm,” “Law & Order,” “Boston Legal,” “Ally McBeal” and “L.A. Law,” to name a few). These misconceptions of the practice of law (which make for good television) run contrary to the work performed everyday by each member of the legal system, including judges, lawyers and courthouse staff.

During my clerkship in Baltimore City Circuit Court, I was interviewing with the  state’s attorney’s office, public defender’s office and a private, civil defense law firm. During my interview with the PD’s office, I was asked, “Will you have any problems with representing a client who allegedly committed one or more terrible crimes?”

After a short pause, my response, which I still believe to this day, was: “All attorneys have a commitment to zealously representing their clients. In addition to representing your client, an attorney is a member of the judicial system.  Public defenders protect individuals and their rights. They protect against self-incrimination and unlawful searches.  On the flip side, state’s attorneys protect the rights of society. They help make sure that there is law and order. Without both, the system does not work and justice fails.”

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I attended the Baltimore County Bar Association’s Bowling Bash at Hillendale Bowling Center over the weekend. The event featured duckpin bowling, beer and food. Participants included judges, assistant state’s attorneys, lawyers in private practice, court reporters and family and friends of the legal community. Laughter and excited shouts echoed throughout the lanes;  it was a welcome diversion from the daily legal grind for most of us.

My firm encourages its associates to join committees and associations and to take on leadership roles in local and state bar associations. We are encouraged to attend the events put on by the bar associations — for instance, we had 18 lawyers and family members signed up to bowl.

But, as a young lawyer, I often struggle with striking the balance between a busy practice and all of the “extracurriculars.” There never seems to be enough time to do everything.

I still am not clear on how to “do it all,” but there have been no regrets thus far when I’ve put the red well aside for a bit to attend a bar association meeting or event. I have never left an event, meeting or presentation wishing I hadn’t attended and stayed at the office instead. There is something that goes on when we connect with our colleagues outside of the court room that is incredibly refreshing.

Plus, I’ve noticed (and experienced first-hand) that attorneys who know each other on a personal level from bar association interactions tend to be more civil and willing to work out their differences when they are opponents in court.

So, my humble advice is to get involved. Set aside time to join a committee or section of a bar association. Attend both substantive events and the just-for-fun events. Participate in the volunteer opportunities hosted by the bar associations.  The balance is important, and you never know when the connections you make at a bar association event are going to be advantageous.

(Photo by Sam Holden/Urbanite)

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After my last post about the Baltimore County Bar Association appeared in The Daily Record’s print edition, I received an email with a link that sheds some light on the history of throwing rolls at the keynote speaker at the Baltimore County Bar Banquet.

According Jeff Scholnick at the  Baltimore County Small and Solo Attorney’s Blog, the tradition may date back to the late 1950s.  Scholnick posted Towson legal icon Harris “Bud” George’s tale of his first bar banquet.

Gov. Theodore McKeldin was the keynote speaker, and at that time the banquet was held at the Greenspring Inn. McKeldin dodged not only carbohydrate bombs, but also pea projectiles launched from lawyers’ spoons.

Here’s a key passage:

At a table in front of me, I noticed a white-haired gentleman stagger to his feet. Very deliberately, he leaned over his table, selected a small roll of bread, and, to my dismay, suddenly heaved it at Governor McKeldin.

For the full details and a hearty end-of-week laugh, check out the posts here and here.

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I had the pleasure Thursday night of attending my first Baltimore County Bar Association banquet, colloquially known as “The Prom.” The Prom was held at Martin’s West, a place I had not been – coincidentally – since my own high school prom.

In the weeks leading up to the event, I heard great stories about bar banquets past. Only lawyers and judges can attend the Prom, and the lack of spouses and significant others may account for the legendary tales.

While last night was not as rowdy as days of yore, one great tradition remained intact: throwing rolls at the keynote speaker. I’ve asked around the courthouse to see if anyone knows the origin of the tradition to no avail. But I learned it is upheld no matter the level of dignitary at the podium. Spiro Agnew once gave the keynote while vice president; even with the Secret Service in the building, he was still pelted with dinner rolls. Last night’s keynote, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, came prepared with a basket of rolls to fire back at the crowd.

Throwing rolls is indicative of the general mood at the Prom. Even though everyone is dressed in their finest black-tie garb, no one takes themselves too seriously, and I think that’s precisely why it was so much fun. (The lobster dinner and open bar didn’t hurt, either.) It was a great opportunity as a young lawyer to see respected judges and lawyers let their hair down, a reminder they like having a good time just as much as the next guy.

Even though the banquet is a great party, it’s also a good place to make connections. The guest list is a who’s who of Baltimore-area lawyers and judges. One person last night told me that he gets more business in an hour at the Prom than in a week at the office, and I don’t doubt it. For every law school classmate, law clerk and former coworker I caught up with last night, I met three new lawyers.

If you’ve never been before, the Baltimore County bar banquet is a rite of passage that can’t be missed – and one professional event you won’t dread attending.

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As a Baltimore-based recruiter, I see people all the time who want to make the transition here from Washington. They’re either tired of the commute or want a different quality of life.

And while both cities offer great opportunities for legal professionals, there are definite differences between the two legal markets.

For some people, Baltimore just isn’t going to cut it.  When I was a tour guide at the University of Maryland School of Law, there was more than one prospective student who said that they applied thinking the school was in College Park. These students weren’t sold on the idea of going to school in Baltimore.

Despite my love of Charm City, I do see their point. Washington has more large firms to offer, and D.C. is often viewed as more metropolitan; there’s more to do, you can rely completely on public transportation and the city draws transplants from all over the county.

But the transition from D.C. to Baltimore can be really difficult to make. Washington has thriving practice areas Baltimore really doesn’t have: immigration, intellectual property and defense contracting. There are also more opportunities to work with the government and nonprofits in the D.C. area. Not to mention salaries in Washington can be up to 20 percent higher than in Baltimore, although the cost of living in Baltimore is much lower. Baltimore law firms could be hesitant to hire someone if they think they are really set on D.C.

For new law school graduates, it’s important to think about where you want to live, what you want to practice and how those two things are going to meld together. Law schools offer lots of opportunities to work in different cities and practice areas while in still in school through internships, externships and law clerk positions. This is a great way to figure out what you want to do without the commitment.

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The Baltimore County Council approved a measure Monday night that allows county employees to resolve labor disputes through binding arbitration.

Police officers and firefighters have been able to resolve labor disputes through arbitration for some time; the new policy will allow general county employees, including nurses and 911 dispatchers, to resolve salary and pension disputes through arbitration. The measure also allows employees to utilize nonbinding arbitration for disputes about employment conditions.

Alternative methods of dispute resolution are receiving increasing attention lately. There are many reasons to choose arbitration over litigation:

– It’s usually cheaper and faster than litigation

– It’s touted as a less adversarial method of dispute resolution

– It requires more collaboration than litigation

– The proceedings are also completely private, which can be great for highly-publicized disputes

Litigation really isn’t the best solution for all disputes; it’s routine for attorney bills to exceed the amount being contested by the parties. And this doesn’t only apply to small claims. In fact, some have argued that arbitration is the only way to resolve some major disputes, such as labor issues in professional sports.

Maryland law schools and courts are also recognizing the value of ADR. Law schools are offering courses and certification for law students interested in the field,  and there is an ADR program in every county in Maryland.

In fact, arbitration programs, particularly those within law firms, are experiencing growth that is expected to continue. In this tough market , having some familiarity or certification in ADR can help law students get in the door to law firms and more rounded litigators.

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