2025 Call For Programs is Now Open!

For the last 30+ years, the Maryland State Bar Association’s Legal Summit has brought together Maryland legal professionals from across the state, in every professional segment and every career stage. Legal Summit allows our community to connect, learn, and move the profession forward while enjoying the sun and relaxation of Ocean City. MSBA’s signature event continues to provide unique instruction and thought leadership from nationally recognized speakers and distinguished colleagues and leaders from all over the state in every area of practice.

MSBA is actively seeking Program Proposals from the Maryland Legal Community to enrich our 2025 event on June 4-7, 2025. Presenting at Legal Summit provides an opportunity to build your professional network and experience lifelong learning with friends and colleagues from across the state. Whether you are presenting a content-rich session individually or as part of a team, your involvement in Legal Summit is a wonderful way to share your knowledge, experience and to be a thought leader in the profession.

For our 2025 event, we are specifically looking for programs that cater to an audience spanning from law students to seasoned practitioners as well as programs around the following topics:

  • Practical tips
  • Emerging law
  • Legal updates
  • Thought-leadership
  • Ethics
  • Trial Skills
  • Administrative Law
  • Transactional Law
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution

Whether you are a first-time presenter, a veteran presenter, or submitting for an organization or section- we welcome your submission!

Submit Your Program Now!

PRIORITY DEADLINE – Friday November 8, 2024.
By submitting by the November deadline, preference will be given to your proposal for inclusion in the Legal Summit 2025 program.
 

FINAL DEADLINE – Monday December 9, 2024.
After the final “Call for Programs” deadline, the MSBA planning team will meet and choose the final schedule of programs for Legal Summit 2025. A final schedule should be available by January 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions: 


When will the programs be scheduled?
The three-day Legal Summit will host programs daily.  We anticipate programs between 10:00am and 4:00 pm on Wednesday, 8:30am - 4:00pm on Thursday, and 8:30am - 1:00pm on Friday.  

What is the time allotted for programs?
All program slots are 60-minute sessions.  For topics requiring more time, it is recommended that two 1-hour programs be submitted and indicated as Part 1 and Part 2.  
*Please note that submitting programs in multiple parts does not guarantee back-to-back presentations; however, the programs will be inserted into the agenda sequentially. 

What are the program selection criteria?
Program submissions are evaluated on the relevance and appeal of the program topic, and known quality and experience of the speakers/panelists.  Preference is given to programs submitted on behalf of an MSBA Section or Committee and demonstrates a diverse and inclusive faculty.

How are program dates and times assigned?
Program dates and times are assigned based on the preferences communicated in the program submission. However, this is balanced against the need to reduce topic overlap at any time and ensure that topics of significant interest are available every day of the conference.

When will we be notified if our program is selected?
Program selections will occur in early December 2024, and we anticipate notifying program coordinators of their selection on or about December 16, 2024.


Program-Specific Frequently Asked Questions: 

How will communications be handled for the event?
Communications regarding programs and speakers will be sent via email to individuals who submitted a program and any speakers listed in the program submission form. 

What should I know about the Roland E. Powell Convention Center?
The Convention Center features large classrooms, accessible aisles, open hallways, and scenic views of Assawoman Bay. Free surface parking is available, ensuring easy access regardless of where you stay.

 What is the setup for classrooms?
Classrooms are on the 2nd floor, accessible by steps, escalator, and elevator. Each room is equipped with:

  • Podium
  • Head table (seating for 4)
  • Two wireless handheld microphones
  • LCD projector & screen
  • Remote slide controller
  • MacBook laptop

You may bring your own computer with HDMI output. It is advisable to bring presentations or videos on a USB drive due to potential WiFi speed issues. Note that virtual off-site speakers cannot be accommodated.

What are the guidelines for presentations? 
Written materials are required for CLE credit. Speakers must be present in person. Virtual presentations are not permitted. A Google Slides and PowerPoint template will be provided, though its use is optional.

What topics are encouraged for program proposals?
We seek programs offering practical, immediately applicable skills and information. We are also looking for programs that cater to an audience spanning from law students to seasoned practitioners. We suggest programing around the following topics:

  • Practical tips
  • Emerging law
  • Legal updates
  • Thought-leadership
  • Ethics
  • Trial Skills
  • Administrative Law
  • Transactional Law
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution 

Current or potential industry partners or vendors who wish to propose a program must contact our sales representative Nicola Tate first to discuss their proposals. 

What are the key deadlines?

  • March 7, 2025: Submit final list of speakers, program titles, and descriptions.
  • March 14, 2025: Submit speaker bios and high-resolution headshots.
  • April 11, 2025: Final deadline for all materials, including slide decks in native format.
  • May 9, 2025: Speaker onboarding and orientation via Zoom

Will the event be recorded?
Yes, select programs will be recorded and made available post-event. Some programs will be chosen for the Legal Summit Series, which will be streamed live from May through August. These webinars will be included in the registration for the in-person summit.

What other details are available?
Please consult our 2025 Legal Summit & Annual Meeting Faculty Guide for additional information and details.