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Commentary

Nov 10, 2023

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 […]

Nov 9, 2023

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 […]

Nov 3, 2023

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, […]

Nov 2, 2023

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 […]

Nov 1, 2023

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 […]

Nov 1, 2023

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 […]

Oct 27, 2023

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 […]

Oct 27, 2023

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 […]

Oct 25, 2023

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.”

Oct 19, 2023

Taking aim at press freedoms

The media’s license to criticize, even wrongly, a public official is a cornerstone of our form of government.

Oct 18, 2023

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.

Oct 18, 2023

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.

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