Fireside Chat Held with Chief Judge George L. Russell, III on November 21, 2024
On November 21, 2024, the Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association continued its fireside chat series with a conversation with Chief Judge George L. Russell, III, moderated by FBA Board Member LaShanta Harris. Chief Judge Russell was recently elevated to Chief Judge on May 1, 2024. Chief Judge Russell described his early professional experience with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, where he worked in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions before being appointed as a judge first to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (2007) and later to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2011).
Chief Judge Russell shared valuable insights with the chat attendees, including the strong influence of Chief Judge Russell’s father, George L. Russell, Jr., who was the first African American to sit on the Circuit Court in Maryland and the first African American to sit on an appellate court in the state of Maryland. A picture of Chief Judge Russell and his father graced the wall on the background of Chief Judge Russell’s chambers where the fireside chat was held. During the chat, Chief Judge Russell acknowledged the support of his colleagues and all of the personnel within the Maryland District Court who have helped facilitate a smooth transition to the Chief Judge position. Chief Judge Russell also encouraged new lawyers to surround themselves with excellent lawyers so that they can pick up the habits and traits that make an excellent lawyer, such as being a hard worker and having the utmost integrity. He also suggested that lawyers give back to their local communities by doing a community activity at least once per quarter. Chief Judge Russell then concluded with encouragement for all lawyers to continue to practice civility and professionalism in order to maintain the high level of excellence that exists in the community of Maryland District Court practitioners.
We are truly grateful for Chief Judge Russell’s willingness to spend time with us and to share his views and the experience he has gained through his long and continued career in our great Maryland legal community.
FBA Maryland Chapter Participates in The Defending the Judiciary Conference
On October 31 and November 1, 2024, FBA Maryland Chapter President Maria Salacuse attended The Defending the Judiciary Conference, an invitation-only event hosted by the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke University. Director of the Bolch Judicial Institute and former United States District Court Judge of the District of Maryland Paul W. Grimm coordinated the conference as part of a national effort to mobilize the legal profession to defend judges and the judiciary from unwarranted physical and verbal attacks that threaten judicial independence and diminish public faith in the judicial system.
On behalf of the Bolch Judicial Institute, Judge Grimm opened the conference by awarding United States District Judge of the District of New Jersey Esther Salas with the 2024 Raphael Lemkin Rule of Law Guardian Medal in recognition of her efforts to strengthen laws that protect the physical safety of judges and their families. Judge Salas, with her husband Mark Anderl present, spoke about her own personal experience when in July 2020, a former litigant dressed as a delivery driver opened fire at her house, killing her son Daniel and severely wounding her husband. On December 23, 2022, President Biden signed the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2021 which prohibits the selling, trading, transferring, or purchasing of judges’ personal information online. Judge Salas played a significant role in advocating for the passage of bipartisan legislation in Maryland to protect the personal information of current and former members of the Maryland judiciary. Named after Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson who was tragically shot and killed in his driveway by a litigant in October 2023, the Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson Judicial Security Act took effect on June 1, 2024. Judge Salas continues to assist other states in passing similar laws to protect state court judges and families.
The conference then proceeded with multiple panels led by distinguished members of the judiciary and various bar associations, including Judge Salas, United States District Court Judge of the Middle District of Pennsylvania and FBA President-Elect Karoline Mehalchick, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland Matthew Fader, United States District Court Judge of the Northern District of Illinois Joan Lefkow, United States District Court Judge of the Southern District of Florida Robin Rosenberg, and American Board of Trial Advocates President La’Verne Edney. Attendees also heard from security and social media experts, including Meta Director of Content Policy Michael Marando, and received practical guidance on how attorneys and bar associations can speak out when judges are unfairly attacked and can engage in civic education to improve public understanding of the courts.
FBA Maryland Chapter Cohosts 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Federal Public Defender’s Office
On October 18, 2024, the Maryland Chapter of the FBA cohosted with The Historical Society for the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Federal Public Defender’s Office (FPDO) for the District of Maryland. Welcoming and moderating the event was U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar who served as Public Defender from 1992 to 1998. He described the historical making of the FPDO in 1974 following the Criminal Justice Act of 1964.
The program continued with remarks from Baltimore City Orphan’s Court Judge Charles Gerald Bernstein who was the First Public Defender for the District of Maryland. Judge Bernstein described the opening of the office and highlighted several audience members who worked along with him until 1980, including Mike Shatzow, Gerry Glass, Paul Spence, Mike Frisch, Peter Ward, Gerry Richman, John Morris, and Norman Johnson.
To read the complete summary and view all of the event photos, please visit our event gallery.
FBA Maryland Chapter Congratulates FBA Board Member Adam Abelson on Appointment as U.S. District Court Judge
The FBA Maryland Chapter congratulates Adam Abelson on his elevation from U.S. Magistrate Judge to District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Judge Abelson was sworn in as a Magistrate Judge on September 18, 2023. In May, President Biden nominated him to serve as a U.S. District Judge to fill the vacancy created when the Honorable James K. Bredar took senior status. The Senate confirmed Judge Abelson’s nomination on September 11, 2024, and President Biden signed his commission on September 12, 2024. Judge Abelson was sworn in as a District Judge on Monday, September 16, 2024.
Both before and after joining the Court, Judge Abelson has been an active member of the Maryland Chapter’s Board, serving in both a Board member and officer capacity since 2018. In January of this year, the Chapter had the opportunity to learn more about him during a virtual Fireside Chat. Judge Abelson spoke about how his grandmother, a first-generation American, instilled in him the importance of public service. He also praised the collegiality of the court and shared how his colleagues’ “open door” policy has been invaluable as he continued to learn and grow.
“Throughout his tenure with our Chapter, Judge Abelson has been an invaluable asset, demonstrating leadership, integrity and a tireless commitment to advancing the legal profession,” said FBA Maryland Chapter President Maria Salacuse. “The Chapter is immensely proud of his achievements and confident that he will continue to serve with distinction and uphold the highest standards of our judiciary.”
Before joining the Court, Judge Abelson worked as a litigator with the law firm Zuckerman Spaeder LLP. He began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Catherine C. Blake, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and the Honorable Andre M. Davis, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (ret.). He graduated from Princeton University, cum laude, and the New York University School of Law, magna cum laude, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif.