Sign In
Free Newsletter
Maryland can fix its anti-jobs bias
Maryland is a state known to be friendly to highly educated, white-collar, government employees. But as that reputation has solidified in recent decades, so has the state’s unfriendliness to the businesses that hire most people in the state. It is time that changed. The state’s political leaders on both sides seem to implicitly understand the […]
Solving nonfatal shootings
In the first 27 days of October, Baltimore suffered 24 murders and 60 nonfatal shootings. The difference between life and death is often bad aim or good luck. The Marshall Project, a not-for-profit newsroom covering the U.S. criminal justice system, reports that most major U.S. police departments devote far fewer resources to solving nonfatal shootings […]
Anchors in the local community
In the latter half of the 20th century, Baltimore’s economy transitioned from a goods-producing one, dominated by steelmaking, shipbuilding, auto production and other heavy industries, to one entailing the provision of services. Some of us began to call it the “Eds, Meds, and Feds” economy, referring to the significant impact of our major educational institutions, […]
The value of little-used MSBCA procedures
On Oct. 2, the Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals issued a somewhat rare one-member opinion pursuant to procedures for “small claims” set forth in COMAR. On facts stipulated by the parties (as required by the expedited procedures), board member Lawrence F. Kreis, Jr., held that the contractor, E&R Services, Inc., could not recover for […]
Conflicts in a lawyer’s own interests, testimony
Nearly every lawyer I know answers yes to one of these questions: Do you serve on the board of a corporation, NGO, a nonprofit entity or religious organization? Has a transaction in which you’ve served as counsel become the subject of litigation? Has a client of yours been involved in litigation arising out of some […]
Pa. hospitals denied property tax exemption
Four Pennsylvania hospitals in Chester and Montgomery counties may owe hundreds of thousands of dollars in real property taxes after a Pennsylvania appeals court found that the hospitals failed to prove they are entitled to an exemption as a nonprofit entity. Tower Health, LLC, which has federal tax-exempt status, purchased four hospitals in 2017 from […]
Lives of service through disruptive technology
As I recently shared with presidents of bar associations across the mid-Atlantic, my disability is not a hindrance but a multi-layered status that has shaped my career for the better, if not always in a straightforward way. During the invitation-only conference, I worked Bowie as the sole guide dog that I could determine at the […]
Protecting Maryland’s judges
In 2020 this board called for enhanced security for state court judges and their families following the murder of Judge Esther Salas’ son and the wounding of her husband at their New Jersey residence. In that case, the murderer was a deranged lawyer wearing a delivery uniform who had specifically targeted the judge. Very recently […]
Noting the importance of pro bono legal work
In celebration of National Pro Bono Week from October 22-28, 2023, it is important to reflect upon what John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States stated: “justice is indiscriminately due to all without regard to numbers, wealth, or rank.”
Taking aim at press freedoms
The media’s license to criticize, even wrongly, a public official is a cornerstone of our form of government.
John Adams’ courage: The Boston Massacre trials
John Adams’ courage in undertaking this most unpopular case provides a solid example of a trial lawyer’s duty to provide representation to all in need.
Someday your boss could help you save for emergencies
Employers are creating emergency savings options that could encourage workers to save more and avoid raiding their retirement funds.
