[EDRM Editor’s Note: The opinions and positions are those of Michael Berman.]
It was great to read MSBA Leads the Way in Advocating for Judicial and Attorney Security | Maryland State Bar Association (July 30, 2024), written by the MSBA President, Raphael J. Santini.
He wrote: “In the wake of Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson’s tragic murder in October 2023, the Maryland State Bar Association has taken a proactive stance in championing judicial security. Recognizing the crucial importance of this issue to the entire legal profession, MSBA’s Board of Governors voted to prioritize judicial security and the association swiftly published an advocacy statement emphasizing the need to enhance judicial security and preserve the rule of law.”
In the wake of Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson’s tragic murder in October 2023, the Maryland State Bar Association has taken a proactive stance in championing judicial security.
Raphael J. Santini, MSBA President, in MSBA Leads the Way in Advocating for Judicial and Attorney Security | Maryland State Bar Association (July 30, 2024).
The MSBA supported Senate Bill 575 (SB 575), also known as the Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson Judicial Security Act which is now law. President Santini also reports that the MSBA “played a crucial role in mobilizing its members to understand the significance of the legislation and the newly formed Maryland Judicial Security Task Force.”
President Santini wrote that: “To keep its members informed and engaged, MSBA continues to prioritize judicial security in its agenda.”
Following the lead of the Hon. Paul W. Grimm (ret.), I have advocated for increased security for the judiciary. See Judge Paul Grimm: The Judiciary is Under Attack. Lawyers Need to Defend It (Oct. 24, 2023), and I Hear Crickets From the American Bar Association About Threats Against Colorado Justices (Jan. 7, 2024).
In that blog, I pointed out that the Maryland State Bar Association, the voice of Maryland’s legal profession, and the Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, supported legislation protecting judges’ home addresses. And, after a Maryland Judge was murdered, the Maryland State Bar Association was not silent. I pointed out that R. Santini (president-elect, MSBA), and E. Gollogy (president, Md. Chapter, Federal Bar Association), wrote that Judges must be kept safe (baltimoresun.com)(Dec. 19, 2023).
When the ABA spoke out, I noted that in American Bar Association Statement on Threats Against the Judiciary (Apr. 8, 2024).
In his recent article, MSBA President Santini concluded: “While the passage of the Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson Judicial Security Act marks a significant milestone, MSBA recognizes that there is more work to be done. MSBA’s ongoing commitment to judicial security is exemplified by its representation on the Judicial Security Task Force.” [emphasis added].
Suggestions or ideas can be sent to the Judicial Security Task Force at advocacy@msba.org.
