SERVING OUR COMMUNITY IN 2003

On the second day of each year I stare at the phone on my desk with more than a bit of anxious wonderment. 2002 is history. As lawyers, we depend on our phones to ring in the New Year with new clients and cases. January is a great time to reassess where we are in the cycle of our professional life and chart some positive ways to maintain a greater degree of balance within our life overall.

As our Association begins its 83rd year, we are working to better meet the needs of our 1400 members. One obstacle with which all bar associations wrestle is the lawyer-bashing that occurs in the media. The organized bar works hard to improve the public image of lawyers. One new program in 2003 receiving favorable attention statewide is the BCBA Take 2 program, a charitable initiative that is the first of its kind in the country. Endorsed by the Executive Council, Take 2 was originated by one of our members, Eliot M. Wagonheim, who also serves as Program Chair.

Lawyers who choose to participate in Take 2 agree to donate either two percent (2%) or $2.00 of each billable hour charged on each Thursday in March of this year. If an attorney does not charge by the hour, that lawyer may elect to donate a certain amount for each hour worked during the four Take 2 days in March. Each participant designates one of the following three organizations:

The Legal Aid Bureau of Baltimore County; Baltimore County Firefighters’ Victims and Members Assistance Fund; or The Baltimore County Bar Foundation.

Our Bar Association selected these organizations because each serves a vital need in our community. One hundred percent of the funds raised are paid over to the designated organizations and all donated funds will stay in Baltimore County. Lawyers who designate the Legal Aid Bureau may include those donated dollars on their pro bono legal service report to the Court of Appeals in January 2004.

Participation has been made easy with online registration available on the BCBA website. Although this is the program’s first year, we are confident our members will seize this opportunity to let the public know Baltimore County lawyers are contributing to our community in many important ways.