Maryland Attorney General, guest speaker at the April SoloSez meeting
Maryland Attorney General, Douglas Gansler, was the guest speaker at the April SoloSez meeting for the Bethesda, Maryland, regional Chapter. According to Terry Berger, the self-styled “den mother” for the group, “This meeting marks the 9th anniversary for Bethesda’s SoloSez.”
The Chapter draws members from Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. Many members have multiple licenses because of the close proximity of the three jurisdictions. Terry indicated that about 130 solo and small firm members are on the Chapter’s list.
A capacity crowd of 42 attended the program with Mr. Gansler. One such was Cynthia O’Connor, a trusts and estates attorney and also a first time attendee. She practices in Cecil County, Maryland, which is near the Pennsylvania border. Terry said, “Cynthia has won the prize for having travelled the longest distance to be here today.” Cynthia offered, “I was drawn by the speaker and also was glad to have an excuse to start coming.”
Typically, at the monthly luncheons, members tell of situations that affect their everyday practices and receive comments and suggestions from the other members about how to handle such quandaries. The atmosphere is most congenial, and the delicious fresh food at the restaurant, David Craig in Bethesda, adds a festive quality to the monthly get-togethers. Charles Fleischer, a four year member of the group, who concentrates on management employment matters, put it this way. “I enjoy the company and it is good to give and receive referrals.”
When it was time to hear from Attorney General Gansler, he thanked Terry for the invitation. Mr. Gansler said he appreciated the solo and small firm approach to law as opposed to practicing in a large firm environment. He saw definite positives. “You are able to control your calendar and the kind of cases you take.”
Mr. Gansler spoke briefly about the focus of the Office of Attorney General since his election. While much of the job could be reactive in nature, he pointed out certain pro-active safety initiatives undertaken by his Office. “We now have a “gangs” unit. The Office also works with social networking groups and teachers in schools to promote Internet safety for students.”
Barbara I. Berschler, of the Law Office of Barbara I. Berschler, is a Business Law Attorney for Maryland (Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties) and Washington DC Metropolitan Area. Her practice focuses on General Business and Copyright and Trademark matters. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 301-962-8580
