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

On Tuesday, October 21, 2008, former JFB President SHARON V. BURRELL made history by becoming the first African-American female judge in Montgomery County, Maryland.  [For perspective, Prince George's County's first African-American female judge, the Honorable Sheila R. Tillerson-Adams, also a former JFB President, was sworn in as a District Court Judge some fifteen (15) years ago, in 1993.  Two years later, in 1995, former JFB President the Honorable Michele D. Hotten, then a District Court Judge, became the first African-American female Circuit Court Judge in Prince George's County.]  Judge Burrell's investiture drew a standing-room only audience in the ceremonial courtroom at the Montgomery County Justice Center in Rockville.  The audience was chock full of judges, political leaders, dignitaries, attorney associates, friends, family and AKA sorors.  JFB President Judge Hassan El-Amin's lively remarks were well received.

Sharon V. Burrell, Past President 2005-2006

We have come to the end of a very busy and productive year, which was highlighted by another successful Scholarship Awards Banquet. At the Banquet, Bourne recognized all of the Past Presidents, but I would personally like to recognize and thank three Past Presidents who provided invaluable support to me during my term as President. First, I'd like to thank Keith A. Parris for serving as an executive officer, chair of the Lawyer Referral Committee, and freelance photographer when needed. Keith is a trusted adviser and friend whose wise counsel and support I treasure.

Next, I'd like to thank Debra M. Davis for co-chairing the Judicial Nominating Committee, which was super busy this year, and for giving me the benefit of her experience.

Last, but not least, I'd like to thank Sallie E. Williams. I began writing this column before Sallie's death, and spoke of her in the present tense. It is with a heavy heart that I am finishing it now that she is gone. Although Sallie was not able to attend most of the meetings and events this year due to illness, she was always available to provide me with sage and sometimes salty advice via telephone and e-mail. She was a mentor, a neighbor, and a friend. I will miss her.

In my initial address to you I stated that my main goals were to maintain the successful programs that Bourne had in Prince George's County and to increase Bourne's presence in Montgomery County through additional programs and activities. I believe that my goals have been accomplished. Over the past year we continued with established programs, such as our joint Black History Month and Christmas in April project with the Prince George's County Bar Association, the Oratorical Contest, and the Scholarship Golf Classic. We explored new activities such as the joint Happy Hour with the Hispanic Bar Association and established a dialogue with other specialty bar associations in a coalition led by the Asian Pacific Bar Association.

We made our presence known in Montgomery County by donating toys to the People's Community Baptist Church in Silver Spring, by donating clothes to the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Rockville, by reestablishing a liaison to the Executive Committee of the Bar Association of Montgomery County, and by sponsoring a Community Law Day Program in Montgomery County.

I would like to thank all of the members of the executive board, committee chairs and members for their hard work. I chose committee chairs who -- although they may not have always agreed with me -- always had the best interests of Bourne in mind. Bourne was able to have successful and interesting meetings and programs because of the commitment of the committee chairs and members. I urge every member to support the Association and to work on the committees. Please come to the final meeting of the year on Thursday, November 16, where we will elect officers. And please be sure to pick up your directory if you have not already done so.

During this administration I tried to ensure that Bourne remains viable and respected and I hope that it will continue to be so. One of the reasons why I wanted to be President of Bourne was because the organization has been very important to me and I felt an obligation to give back to it. My debt will never be paid in full, but I hope that I have made a substantial down payment on it. Thank you for allowing me to be of service to Bourne.

Sharon V. Burrell, Esquire
President

 

President's Message
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February Joint Meeting 
Black History Month
Tuesday February 7, 2012 Greenbelt Courthouse
$30 & RSVP
CLICK HERE

10th Annual Highschool Oratorical Contest
Saturday, February 25, 2012
CLICK HERE

PAY YOUR 2012 DUES BY CREDIT CARD HERE
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February 2012 Newsletter
CLICK HERE

With
Howard U. Sch. of Law
&
Black Women's Bar Association of Suburban Maryland