In March 2018, the Maryland Bar Foundation (MBF) awarded a $2,000 grant to the Association for the Public Defender of Maryland for its Public Defender Training Center Campaign. This support helped provide multimedia functionality for the main training room of the Maryland Office of the Public Defender’s new training center.

The buildout and equipment installation for the main training room was completed in September. The space can hold up to 150 people, or be divided into two smaller rooms holding up to 75 people each. Shortly after the equipment installation, the National Association of Public Defenders held a one-day conference in the space to present workshops to public defenders from around the country.

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender has since held several trainings in the space, including its new attorney training, an advanced litigation training, a juvenile summit, several smaller continuing legal education sessions, and statewide meeting presentations.

The Maryland Bar Foundation works to foster and maintain the integrity of the legal profession, improve and facilitate the administration of justice, and promote the study of the law, law research, and the sharing of legal knowledge. Since 1965, MBF has pursued this mission by making grants to organizations that work within Maryland to accomplish MBF’s shared goals, and by presenting awards to honor distinguished leaders in the legal community. MBF’s mission is supported by contributions from MBF Fellows, MSBA members, and the general public. Learn more at www.MarylandBarFoundation.org.