The Maryland State Bar Association Leadership Academy offers a 12-month program designed to assist lawyers in becoming better leaders and offers opportunities for future leadership roles in the MSBA.
Each year, 15 Fellows are chosen from applications submitted to the MSBA. During their term, the Fellows will spend time attending MSBA events, developing and implementing a public service project, as well as attending a special program on public speaking, media relations, interviewing skills, conducting effective meetings, budgeting, and many other related areas. Fellows establish a relationship with past Bar Presidents and current bar leaders to learn more about the MSBA and to enhance leadership skills.
Team building is a significant part of the Academy, wherein the Fellows develop relationships that will last long after the Academy. The skills the Fellows learn will benefit the MSBA, the local or specialty bar associations, and the profession as a whole.
Since 1996, The Leadership Academy has created pathways for diverse members of the bar to grow in their own leadership skills as well as find new pathways of leadership in MSBA. It was envisioned that the program would reach out to lawyers in areas and groups that were not traditionally well represented in Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) leadership roles by offering leadership training and an in-depth introduction to the MSBA for them to find a better sense of belonging within the bar association and community as whole.