The MSBA is proud to present the capstone program of the MSBA 125th Anniversary Thought Leadership Initiative’s Spark Series.  At the heels of high-level programs with Sherrilyn Ifill, Vanita Gupta and Grace Speights, we are planning a full day program as a culminating event. Join us on Friday, January 20 for a day of thought-provoking and engaging programming about the legal profession and the future of justice.

Space is limited, register now!

Description: 

The occasion of the Maryland State Bar Association’s 125th anniversary has presented more than an opportunity to commemorate the past. It has also invited us to pause for critical reflection on the state of the legal profession, how we have wielded our position of influence historically; how we might exercise that privilege responsibly going forward; and, finally, what we imagine and dare to reimagine about the legal profession’s role in the future of justice in our state, nation, and world.

Over the past year, the MSBA 125th Anniversary Thought Leadership Initiative has held Spark Series events, hosting innovative thinkers and world-renowned leaders – like Sherrilyn Ifill, Vanita Gupta and Grace Speights – and will soon be releasing a series of podcasts to spark robust discussion and forward-thinking dialogue about the historical relationship and future direction of justice and the legal profession, with a focus on the following themes:

• GUARDIANS OF JUSTICE – exploring the role of professional responsibility and ethics in shaping and constraining justice
• REFORMING JUSTICE – exploring the responsibility of the legal profession in propagating or dismantling racial injustice and other inequities and spurring meaningful criminal justice reform
• ACCESS TO JUSTICE – exploring the role of the legal profession in perpetuating or disrupting the civil justice crisis; the disparate impact of the civil justice system on communities of color and other minorities or marginalized citizens; and the road to meaningful civil justice reform
• SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY and JUSTICE – exploring the unique questions, challenges and opportunities at the intersection of law, science & technology, across the spectrum, from the regulation of innovation to issues of access and bias.

As a culminating event, the 125th Thought Leadership Initiative will host a Spark Series Capstone Program on Friday, January 20, 2023. The event will create space for intellectual stimulation and deep reflection and include thought-provoking keynote speakers and panels with high-level professionals challenging us to think about emerging issues and the role of our profession in grappling with ethical and justice implications – that will serve to have a lasting impact on the MSBA and the profession as a whole.

Details:

What: 125th Thought Leadership Initiative presents … The Spark Series Capstone Program

When: Friday, January 20, 2023 from 8am to 3pm

Where: University of Maryland Carey Law School (live and in-person only)

Who: We welcome MSBA members and non-members to these critical conversations about the legal profession.

Cost: FREE

Food: Breakfast and lunch provided.