![[photo, Judiciary Education & Conference Center, 2011 Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/33jud/images/1198-1-06291c.jpg)
Appointed by Chief Judge, Court of Appeals to 3-year terms: Kathryn Grill Graeff, 2013; Leigh R. Melton, Esq., 2013; Thomas D. Murphy, Esq., 2013; Paul M. Sandler, Esq., 2013; Ronald H. Jarashow, Esq., 2014; Frank M. Kratovil, Jr., 2014; Thomas E. Lynch III, Esq., 2014; Ronald Weich, Esq., 2014; Angela M. Eaves, 2015; Norman L. Smith, Esq., 2015; Alexander Williams III, Esq., 2015.
Judiciary Education & Conference Center, 2011 Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, Maryland, January 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
E. Regine Francois, Executive Director
Judiciary Education & Conference Center, 2011-D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 260-3762
e-mail: regine.francois@mdcourts.gov
web: www.marylandprofessionalism.org/
Origins of the Maryland Professionalism Center trace to the Professionalism Task Force which met from September 2002 to July 2003 to study the concept of professionalism in Maryland's legal community. Based on recommendations of the Task Force, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals established the Court Commission on Professionalism in February 2004. The Commission studied aspects of professional conduct and suggested methods to raise professionalism throughout the judicial and legal professions. In April 2009, the Commission on Professionalism was established by administrative order of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.
The Commission on Professionalism explored and monitored professionalism policies adopted by the Court of Appeals. The Commission encouraged lawyers to exercise integrity in their relationships with clients, other lawyers, the courts, and the public. For the legal community, it gathered and maintained information on professionalism, and made recommendations on continuing legal education.
In May 2011, the Commission became responsible for conducting the professionalism course required for admission to the Maryland Bar (Maryland Rules, Rule 11), as well as the mentoring program.
The Commission on Professionalism continued its work of guiding and supporting the principles of professionalism for Maryland judges and lawyers until September 2012. At that time, by administrative order of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the Commission was replaced by the Maryland Professionalism Center.
To enhance the public's trust in judges and lawyers, the Center works on initiatives to encourage and ensure that persons of the legal community treat each other with civility and respect, and that professionalism is recognized as a core value of the legal process. Further, the Center maintains a website to serve as a resource on professionalism issues, and continues to administer the New Bar Admittees' Professionalism Course, and the New Bar Admittees' Mentoring Program.
The Center is governed by a Board of Directors. Appointed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the Board's thirteen members serve three-year terms. A judge of the Court of Appeals chairs the Commission. The Chair may name a vice-chair and committees of the Board. The Chair also appoints the Executive Director (Maryland Rules, Rule 16-407).
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