The Anne Arundel Bar Foundation was created in 1990 to foster and maintain the honor and integrity of the profession of the law. Over the years, it has provided much needed legal assistance to the underserved, and more recently, has made charitable gifts and contributions to community-based agencies.

Family Waiting Room
It is children who are likely to suffer the most as victims or witnesses of crime. Having already experienced the trauma of the crime itself, they are then thrown into the judicial system. A daunting place for most adults, the courtroom can be especially intimidating for children. Even when they are only spectators, children may feel, and often are, out of place in the courtroom. Frequently, adult victims or witnesses lack money or time to arrange for child care and are forced to bring their children with them to court. The children are expected to sit quietly and still for extended periods in the courtroom, or be left unsupervised in a courthouse corridor.
The Family Waiting Room is a safe place for kids to wait. The Room provides games, toys and activities within a colorful, friendly environment. This project is for the community and its services are not available for use by courthouse personnel, staff attorneys or jurors.

The board of directors of the Anne Arundel County Bar Foundation saw a great unmet need in the courthouse and decided to support the Children's Waiting Room as a service to the community.

Essay Contest
For four years in a row, the Foundation has sponsored and Essay Contest among high school students in Anne Arundel County. The contest is open to all public or private high school students grades 9-12 and home-schooled students corresponding to the same grade levels. Over the years, 800 students from 11 county high schools have submitted essays on significant legal cases and topics.

Barrister's Ball
Each spring, the Anne Arundel County Bar Foundation holds its annual fundraiser. AABA members and their guests share in the fun and help to support a very deserving charitable organization that was started by members of the Anne Arundel Bar in 1997 -- the Anne Arundel Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), whose trained volunteers work to give a voice for a child's best interest in court and to make a meaningful difference in the life of a foster child. Since 2003, the Foundation has raised more than $110,000 to support CASA initiatives.

Attorney's Lounge
In 1999-2000, the Anne Arundel County Bar Foundation held a capital campaign to raise funds for the appointment and build-out of a new bar office and attorney's lounge inside the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. The campaign was co-chaired by Past Presidents Jim Nolan and Mark Snyder. Thanks to all of the members who contributed, the Campaign for the Future of the Anne Arundel Bar Association / Anne Arundel County Bar Foundation was an overwhelming success. Members' generous contributions made it possible for us to exceed our $50,000 goal and realize the dream of an Attorney's Lounge and professional bar offices.

Volunteers have also provided free legal advice at "Ask-A-Lawyer" booths at area shopping malls. The Foundation has also worked locally with the YWCA in promotion of domestic violence awareness, and produced an award-winning video entitled "Victims No More: Emergency Relief in Maryland Courts for Victims of Domestic Violence." The Bar Foundation continues to be the clearinghouse for volunteer efforts within the legal profession in Anne Arundel County.

How you can help
The Anne Arundel County Bar Foundation initiated these projects with donations from concerned attorneys and law firms county-wide and with the collaboration of courthouse staff. You and your firm or agency can make a difference by making a tax-deductible pledge to: Anne Arundel County Bar Foundation, PO Box 161, Annapolis, MD 21404.

Your donations have made the difference!
Every contribution, large or small, is welcomed and appreciated. We thank you in advance for your continued generosity. With your donations, you and your firm are making a positive and permanent impact to help create a more efficient and sensitive court system for our community and especially, our local children. Their priceless innocence is worth our protection, today and every day.

Every contribution counts and will help further the projects of the Bar Foundation to foster legal education and services to the public in need.

The Anne Arundel County Bar Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1990 through the efforts of the local legal community as a charitable 501(c)3 organization. The Foundation raises funds for a number of purposes including public education about the legal system; bar foundation/association offices and attorney conference facilities in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County; community outreach programs; and educational training for attorneys.


The Anne Arundel County Bar Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)3 organization.
GOVERNING BODY: The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer and five (5) Directors. The Foundation employs an Executive Director who is also the director of the County Bar Association. These individuals report directly to the Board of Directors. The Board meets on a monthly basis.

2012-2013 Anne Arundel County Bar Foundation, Inc.
Board of Directors