Introduction to Federal Practice Program Sees Record-Breaking Turnout in 2026
On Friday, February 27, 2026, the Federal Bar Association (FBA) Maryland Chapter hosted its 2026 Introduction to Federal Practice Program & Admission Ceremony at the J. Frederick Motz Ceremonial Courtroom in the United States Courthouse in Baltimore, Maryland. This free, in-person continuing legal education (CLE) program drew nearly 80 registered attorneys, a record turnout for the annual event. The attendance figures included 30 lawyers who applied for admission to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland through the day’s admission ceremony.
Designed for practitioners appearing in Maryland’s federal district court and attorneys seeking admission to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, the program delivered a comprehensive introduction to federal practice through a series of expert-led sessions. The event featured sitting judges from the federal bench, presentations by experienced federal court practitioners, and guidance from the Clerk’s Office of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Furthermore, Chapter President Paul Caiola, Esq., provided remarks on FBA membership. Ultimately, the program concluded with a swearing-in ceremony and reception.
February Program Taught Attorneys How to Navigate Maryland’s Federal Courts
Chapter Board Member Bob Brennen organized and moderated the 2026 Introduction to Federal Practice Program, which opened with welcome remarks from Chief Judge George L. Russell, III. The program then moved into a primer on the District’s courthouses and federal practice resources, led by David Ciambruschini, Chief Deputy Clerk of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Ciambruschini provided attendees with a practical overview of courthouse operations and key lawyer resources available within the district.
Subsequent sessions addressed the nuts and bolts of federal practice in Maryland. Lauren McLarney, Esq., and Neel Lalchandani, Esq., delivered an overview of key local rules and standing orders governing practice before the court. Chapter President-Elect Tom Barnard, Esq., led the discovery session, which covered electronically stored information (ESI) and the management of discovery disputes (areas of growing importance for federal litigators).
Later, Kristen Eriksson, Esq., followed with a session dedicated to motions practice in the district. Evan T. Shea, Esq., then led a focused discussion on mediation as a tool for resolving federal disputes. The program also featured a dedicated session on the use of artificial intelligence in the District of Maryland, reflecting the court’s engagement with emerging issues in legal practice.
Maryland Federal Judges and Court Officials Contribute to CLE Sessions
The 2026 program featured enthusiastic participation from members of the federal bench and the court’s administrative staff. Notably, participating judges included Chief Judge George L. Russell, III; Senior District Judge Richard D. Bennett; District Judges Adam B. Abelson, Deborah L. Boardman, and Brendan A. Hurson; and Magistrate Judges J. Mark Coulson and Ajmel Quereshi. Their direct involvement in the CLE sessions gave attendees access to judicial perspectives on federal court practice in Maryland, setting Introduction to Federal Practice apart from standard bar association CLE offerings.
Also, the Clerk’s Office played a central role. Chief Deputy Clerk David Ciambruschini delivered the courthouse and resources primer, while the District’s Human Resources Manager Tina Stavrou, Human Resources Technician Alexis Kominos, and CJA Specialist Tyra Wilson provided logistical and administrative support throughout the day. Miles & Stockbridge Legal Practice Assistant Kimale Edwards also contributed administrative support to the program.
The FBA Maryland Chapter extended its thanks to each of these contributors for making the record-attendance event possible. The combination of judicial participation, Clerk’s Office involvement, and practitioner-led sessions gave the program a multi-dimensional perspective on the realities of federal court practice in the District of Maryland.
Admission Ceremony Welcomes New Members to the District Bar
Following the conclusion of the CLE sessions, the 2026 Admission Ceremony began at approximately 4:00 PM in the J. Frederick Motz Ceremonial Courtroom. In total, 30 attorneys applied for admission to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and, thus, participated in the swearing-in ceremony. Admittees were welcome to bring guests to the ceremony. A reception followed from 4:30 to 5:30 PM.
For context, attorneys seeking admission to the District of Maryland must submit an online application and pay a $200 admission fee electronically through the Court’s website. Applications for the February 27 ceremony were required no later than February 13, 2026. Each applicant must also have a sponsor complete and sign the sponsor portion of the application, though sponsors are not required to attend the ceremony in person.
The admission ceremony component of the Introduction to Federal Practice Program offers a practical pathway for attorneys to gain admission to the federal bar. Simultaneously, they can receive substantive CLE credit on the rules and procedures governing the court to which they are being admitted. Overall, this is a uniquely efficient opportunity for attorneys entering federal practice in Maryland.
A Record Year for the FBA Maryland Chapter’s Flagship CLE Event
The 2026 Introduction to Federal Practice Program set a new attendance benchmark for the Maryland Chapter’s annual event, with nearly 80 attorneys registered for the CLE program and 30 participating in the bar admission ceremony. The event’s free, in-person format and its location in an active federal courthouse gave attendees direct access to the judges, clerks, and practitioners who shape the day-to-day practice of federal law in Maryland. FBA Maryland Chapter President Paul Caiola, Esq., provided closing remarks highlighting the benefits of membership in the Federal Bar Association and the Maryland Chapter.
The FBA Maryland Chapter’s Introduction to Federal Practice Program continues to serve as a primary resource for attorneys entering or expanding their practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. By combining substantive CLE programming on local rules, discovery, motions practice, mediation, and emerging topics such as artificial intelligence with a formal admission ceremony, the program delivers practical value for both newly admitted and experienced federal court practitioners in the Baltimore legal community and beyond.
For further information on programming within the FBA Maryland Chapter, please explore our upcoming events!
