J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Judge Hassan Ali El-Amin
President
Tiffany Alston
Treasurer
Traci C. Scudder
Recording Secretary
Letoria G. Knight
Corresponding Secretary
Sharon Christmas DeBerry
President-Elect
Abigale Bruce Watson
Immediate Past President
Holly Reed
Executive Officer
Michael Pearson
Executive Officer

COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF LEGAL EXCELLENCE, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND INCREASED MINORITY PARTICIPATION IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW

NEW ADMITTEE'S RECEPTION

On July 26, 2008, the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association hosted its annual New Admittees Reception at the home of the Honorable and Mrs. Alexander Williams, Jr. Featuring a spectacular lakeside view of the golf course at Woodmore, the Williams’ beautiful home was an inspiration itself. More than 30 members from Prince George’s and Montgomery County attended, and some 13 new admittees were congratulated and welcomed to the Bar by the membership.

The turnout from the bench was impressive, with every level of the Maryland judiciary represented. Although we missed the perennial company of Chief Judge Robert Bell (who was in Alaska), the Maryland Court of Appeals was present in the person of the Honorable Clayton Greene, Jr. Judge Arrie Davis was present from the Court of Special Appeals. From the 7th Judicial Circuit were Chief and Administrative Judge William D. Missouri, Judge Larnzell Martin, Judge Sheila R. Tillerson-Adams, Judge Michele D. Hotten, Judge Toni Clarke, Judge Herman Dawson, Sr., Judge Dwight Jackson and Judge Beverly Woodard. From the District Court for Prince George’s County were Judges Hassan El-Amin and Krystal Alves. From the Federal bench were U.S. District Court Judge Alexander Williams, of course, along with Magistrate Judge Charles Day. Judge Vicki Ivory-Orem from the Orphans Court graced the event with her presence, as did States Attorney for Prince George’s County, the Honorable Glenn Ivey. JFB extends a heartfelt thanks to this year’s sponsors, all attorney/members of the Association: Abigale Bruce-Watson, Maurene Epps-Webb, Joseph Gibson, Isaac Marks, and Gregory Wells. Their generous contributions help assure the success of this outstanding event.

Each new admittee introduced herself/himself to those assembled. The membership did an excellent job of educating the new admittees on the benefits of networking and joining JFB, as well as offering lot of good advice for new practitioners. Judges Green, Davis, Missouri, Tillerson-Adams, El-Amin and Day shared the benefit of their perspectives with the new admittees, who reciprocated with expressions of thanks and appreciation. Congratulations again to Judge Tillerson-Adams and Wennesa Bell Snoddy, for coordinating a first-class event!

2007:

On July 21, 2007 J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association hosted its annual New Admittees Reception at the home of the Honorable Sheila Tillerson Adams and Timothy Adams. This year’s reception set records in terms of attendance. More than 40 new admittees from Prince George’s and Montgomery County were congratulated and welcomed to the Bar by the membership.

The turn out from the bench set a precedent as well with every member from the Maryland judiciary represented. In attendance were Chief Judge Robert M. Bell and Judge Clayton Greene, Jr. from the Court of Special Appeals, Judge Arrie Davis from the Court of Special Appeals, Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. from the U.S. District Court, Administrative Judge William D. Missouri, Judge Michele D. Hotten, Judge Herman Dawson, Sr., and Judge Larnzell Martin, Jr. from the Prince George’s County Circuit Court, and Judge Beverly Woodard from the District Court for Prince George’s County. And as usual, the membership inflated the attendance to even greater numbers. JFB extends a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors: Lawrence Hill, Theresa Moore, Debra Davis, Keith Parris, Michael Worthy, and J. Wyndal Gordon. Their generous contributions made the reception a delicious success.

The consensus from the new admittees was feelings of pride and of belonging to an organization that values new and seasoned attorneys alike. The membership did an excellent job of educating the new admittees on the benefits of joining JFB, as well as offering “free legal advice” on the qualities necessary in striving for excellence. The co-chairs of the committee, Judge Tillerson Adams and Wennesa Bell Snoddy, are to be commended for their hard work and hospitality.

The quality of JFB continues to reach higher heights, and the 2008 New Admittees will be no exception.

2006:

New Admittees to the Maryland Bar introduced themselves
at the New Admittees' Reception, a JFB tradition.

JFB honored New Admittees to the Maryland Bar at its Annual New Admittees Reception on Saturday, August 19, 2006. Holly and Jodi Reed generously and graciously hosted the well-attended event. In addition to recognizing our newly-admitted colleagues, the reception afforded new admittees an opportunity to meet and network with JFB members, judges, and other guests.

JFB Members Joel Braithwaite, Hon. Charles B. Day,
JFB Host Holly Reed and Walter Wilson at the New Admittees Reception.

Each new admittee was given acopy of the Bourne directory and was encouraged to use it.

Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert Bell
& JFB President Sharon Burrell.

Chief Judge Robert Bell of the Maryland Court of Appeals was our special guest once again and provided words of wisdom to the New Admittees. About half of the New Admittees were already members of Bourne but others took advantage of JFB’s waiver of membership dues for New Admittees.

2005

The J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association honored the new admittees to the Maryland Bar. This annual event offered freshly minted Maryland attorneys an opportunity to meet and network with members of the judiciary and experienced practitioners in a relaxed atmosphere.

JFB honored New Admittees to the Maryland Bar at its Annual New Admittees Reception on Saturday, August 13th. Joseph and Shawn Wright generously and graciously hosted the well-attended event.

In addition to recognizing our newly-admitted colleagues, the event afforded them an opportunity to meet and network with JFB members, judges, and other guests.

Chief Judge Robert Bell of the Maryland Court of Appeals and JFB President William A. Snoddy welcomed the New Admittees - most of whom took advantage of JFB’s waiver of membership dues for New Admittees.