Everyone has problems. The problems may arise from work or family or friends. It could be your health, a car that starts only 99.9 percent of the time or a household pet. For me, as an attorney, husband, father and active member of various bar organizations, my problems probably do not differ from other lawyers. A co-worker and I, in an attempt to put our lives into perspective, refer to our problems as “rich-people problems.”

(As an aside, I would not consider myself “rich.” I am part of the 99 percent, constantly concerned about the financial state of the Siri household, but the term “rich-people problems” has a much better ring that “upper-middle-class problems” or “hoping to eventually be part of the 1 percent but not there yet problems.”)

My personal problems  include: suffering Achilles tendonitis because of over-training for my spring marathon, debating between refinancing to a 20 year or 30 year mortgage, deciding whether to hold our oldest son back one year before kindergarten so he will be the oldest in his class (see Outliers) and figuring out how to balance the additional (non-billable) responsibilities of partnership at my law firm.

Obviously, these are all things very important to me but nothing earth shattering for others. Recently, however, I experienced a situation that put all of my problems in perspective.

This year, I have decided to dedicate all of my pro bono hours to the Homeless Persons Representation Project’s criminal expungement program. The law on criminal expungement in Maryland is straightforward and you can help a number of individuals without an extensive time commitment per case. Each case takes between an hour or two, which includes research, filling out the forms, meeting with clients and filing the requests.

During my second round of client interviews, I met a man who had never been convicted of a crime (and he also shared the same birthday of one of my children, which made him more notable to me). A very nice guy with a couple of charges on his record, but again, no convictions.  He went back to school and got a technical degree but was having a difficult time finding a job because of the results of a criminal background check. We had a nice talk and filled out most of the paperwork, but I needed to draft another motion in which he would have to sign. I got his email address and told him that I would email him in the next day or two.

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Rhode Island lawmakers are considering whether to enact a first-in-the-nation bill of rights for the homeless. The bill would prohibit certain groups of people (mainly police officers, landlords, employers and medical workers) from discriminating against the homeless.

Just about every year there are bills proposed in the Maryland General Assembly to help protect the homeless. In fact, Maryland is a leader in legislation protecting the homeless and in 2009 became the first state to pass a law classifying crimes against the homeless as hate crimes. (Other states, including Rhode Island, soon passed their own versions of the bill.)

But Maryland still has its struggles with this issue. Just recently Baltimore City faced a controversy when it shut off the power supply to a homeless shelter after the shelter allegedly didn’t pay its bills. The shelter alleges that the city owes the shelter money; hopefully the sides will reach a resolution so this vulnerable population isn’t left without a safe haven.

(For more about the homeless in Baltimore, check out this blog. It’s written by a formerly homeless man living in Baltimore. It hasn’t been updated recently but the posts are personal and informative.)

Statistics on the number of attacks on homeless people are extremely sad — 1,184 cases of violence since 1999, according to one report. And these are only the cases that we know about. It’s likely that there are many more incidents that go unreported.

The homeless already have such a small voice in our society; I can’t imagine what it must be like to face discrimination from the people that you need help from. It’s enough of a struggle for them to try and to survive and get their lives together. (Check out the comments in the story about the Rhode Island law to see some of the hatred that exists.) Although this Rhode Island bill may be difficult to enforce, I believe it is an important step in protecting the homeless.

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“The Artist” took home the Oscar for Best Picture last Sunday during the 2012 Academy Awards. Adele won the Grammy for Record of the Year (among a score of other wins) last month for her album, “21.” And, right now, we are in the midst of awards season for attorneys.

Each year, a host of awards are provided by different organizations in Maryland, including the Maryland Bar Foundation, Pro Bono Resource Center, The Daily Record and the American Bar Association. These awards include honors for young lawyers.

For those of you whose practice reached beyond billable hours to focus on the betterment of the community through pro bono work, public service or professionalism, then recognition is deserved. And while you may not focus on trying to win an award when you are helping a pro bono client deal with legal issues or spending Saturday afternoons serving food at a soup kitchen, young lawyers that are “do-gooders” should be recognized.

So, if you are one of these people or know someone that fits the bill, there is an application waiting to be filled out. The list below, while not exhaustive, is a starting point for awards.  Consider nominating someone that has made a different and helped out profession.  They deserve it.

– The Maryland Bar Foundation’s Edward F. Shea, Jr. Professionalism Award is given to a young lawyer who demonstrates pride, dedication  and adherence to the highest standards of integrity, civility, and compassion.

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The weather has been warmer than normal in Maryland this winter season, but Jan. 28 at Sandy Point State Park, I don’t think I will be thinking about the abnormally warm weather or the fact that the Chesapeake Bay is one- or two- degrees warmer as a result.

Most likely, my thoughts will range from, “Why am I doing the Polar Bear Plunge again?”, “When — or will — I get the feelings in my fingers and toes back?”, and “Should I do this again next year?”

I recently had a discussion with a colleague regarding my quasi-work related commitments, which include work with the Maryland State Bar Association, Baltimore County Bar Association, and construction-related trade organizations.  (Polar Bear Plunge falls under the MSBA.)

“Why get involved,” he asked, “when it takes time away from work or family or recreation?”

My response: first, it is work-related; and second, it’s for a good cause. Taking part in activities, both substantive and for pleasure (if jumping into 33-degree water can be defined as pleasurable), with bar associations and trade organizations is work. These activities are part networking, part marketing and part educational.

There are obvious benefits to being active in a trade organization that may lead to potential clients, but bar associations participation also leads to referrals and business development. Further, it’s surprising how one bonds with his or her fellow attorneys after spending 10-to-20 seconds in freezing cold water together.

Additionally, most bar association work falls within the “good cause” category. Whether it is the betterment of the profession or raising money for the Maryland Special Olympics or providing pro bono assistance to individuals in need, there are a number of reasons why an attorney should be active in their local and state bar associations.

So, for me, plunging into the deep blue bay on a cold day in January to raise money for the Maryland Special Olympics is just another day at the office. If you are interested in taking the plunge, check out this flyer and sign up.

Photo courtesy of the Maryland Special Olympics

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