The Latest News
FBA Maryland Chapter Hears Engaging Panel on the Future of Affirmative Action
On Tuesday, June 6th the FBA Maryland Chapter hosted a panel discussion on the future of affirmative action at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Chief Legal Officer for Baltimore City Public Schools Joshua Civin led the discussion with esteemed panelists University of Maryland Francis Carey School of Law Dean Renee McDonald Hutchins, Patrick Strawbridge, and David Hinojosa. The discussion focused on the policy and legal issues presented in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina, and the future of affirmative action policies in the United States. Strawbridge, a partner at Consovoy McCarthy, represented Students for Fair Admissions which sued the University of North Carolina for considering an applicant's race in the admissions process, claiming that it is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause. Hinojosa, the Director of the Education Opportunities Project at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law leads a team which represents multiracial groups of students and alumni defending affirmative action plans in three separate cases filed against Harvard College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Texas at Austin. Strawbridge and Hinojosa, both of whom argued the UNC case before the Supreme Court, explained their clients' respective positions. Opining on whether affirmative action was still necessary, Dean Hutchins stated "We know enough is enough when we reach some semblance of equality. We are so far from that now." The Chapter thanks the panelists for such an engaging discussion. For more pictures from the event, click here.
FBA Maryland Chapter Annual Luncheon Brings Together the Bench and the Bar
On Friday, May 19, 2023 the Maryland Chapter welcomed members of the Bar and Bench of the District of Maryland to the chapter’s Annual Luncheon at the Baltimore Hyatt Hotel. During the pre-luncheon reception, members warmly greeted one another as they mingled and introduced one another to their networks. The atrium was abuzz with celebratory excitement for the afternoon’s programming celebrating the honorees.
Judge Paul W. Grimm, who recently retired from the Bench to accept appointments from the Dean of the Duke University School of Law as the Director of the Bolch Judicial Institute and by the school’s faculty as the David F. Levi Professor of Law, served magnificently as Master of Ceremonies. With his hallmark humility and wit, Judge Grimm helped the Chapter honor U.S. District Judge George Hazel and Bankruptcy Judges Thomas J. Catliota and Duncan W. Keir on their retirements from the Bench, and U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin and U.S. Magistrate Judge Ajmel A. Quereshi on their appointments and those honorees (with the exception of Judge Catliota who was unable to attend) responded with their own gracious remarks. Judge Grimm also gave a nod to Judges Catherine A. Blake, Richard D. Bennett and Ellen Hollander on their taking senior status and former Clerk of the Court, Felicia Cannon on her retirement after many years of outstanding service. Chapter President Bob Brennen honored Judge Grimm on his many accomplishments, retirement from the bench and appointments at Duke, and also presented Kramon & Graham’s Jim Ulwick with the Chapter’s DiRito award for his service to the District and exemplary career. The Chapter would like thank Judge Grimm and the other honorees for their participation, as well as the Luncheon Committee of Adam Abelson, Francisco Carriedo, Nichole C. Gatewood, Patricia McLane, Dawn Resh, Gina M. Smith, Maria Salacuse, Bob Brennen and especially Committee Chair Mark Saudek. For more photos of the event, click here.
OUR FIRESIDE CHATS CONTINUE: U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE THEODORE D. CHUANG
The FBA Maryland Chapter continued its fireside chat series by welcoming U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang on April 13, 2023. Judge Chuang joined the bench in 2014. Public service is part of his fabric. His parents immigrated to the United States seeking political freedom, and they strove to give back. This played a significant role in Judge Chuang serving in all three branches of federal government—roles in the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, as investigative counsel in the House of Representatives, and as a law clerk and now judge. The judge also gave great practice tips, such as honing written arguments, seeking reconsideration of adverse decisions, and preparing for oral argument. If you’re tinkering with font size and margins, you’ve written too much. If a judge offers Monday or Friday as a deadline, choose Friday and enjoy your weekend. Having grown up in Massachusetts, Judge Chuang is a longtime Boston sports fan (though he noted that the Yankees are mutual rivals of the Orioles). And he shared how his clerkship experience informed how he approaches being a judge. That experience also informs how he selects and builds relationships with his own law clerks. We thank Judge Chuang for the great chat.
A FIRESIDE CHAT WITH U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE STEPHANIE A. GALLAGHER
On March 23, 2023, the Maryland Chapter hosted a virtual fireside chat with U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher. The chat covered a variety of topics. After graduating from law school, Judge Gallagher clerked, worked at a large law firm, became a federal prosecutor, and opened her own small firm. She did not always set out to become a lawyer. But it ended up being the perfect fit. Plus, her path gave her a solid of mix of criminal and civil experience that she now brings to the bench. Judge Gallagher discussed her practice preferences. Written submissions are very critically important for dispositive motions. For discovery disputes, she encourages litigants to meet in person or speak with each other. And she stressed ways to streamline proceedings, like flagging objections in advance, outside the presence of the jury, or streamlining the number of filings when briefing dispositive motions. We also learned more about Judge Gallagher the person: her close relationship with her law clerks, the judges she tries to emulate, and her favorite Orioles players. We thank Judge Gallagher for her time and the wonderful chat.
