By Gwen-Marie Davis

This is a special celebratory year for the Maryland Association for Justice. As you know, MAJ is celebrating its 70th year!  I am very proud of what this organization has accomplished in 70 years. There have been ups, and there have been downs, but we stand proud of the fact that we are the largest specialty bar association, we have robust CLE programming, active minority and women’s caucuses, and are a strong force in Annapolis for our legislative issues. This is a special issue of Trial Reporter, commemorating 70 years of this organization. I want to thank the Trial Reporter Editors-in-Chiefs and Editorial Board for putting extra energy into this special commemorative celebratory issue. They combed through and read recent, archived, and early issues of the Trial Reporter magazines. It was interesting to look back at the articles and see the changes, differences, similarities, growth and even admire some of the earlier pictures of our past presidents and current members. You will have the opportunity to read some of those past articles in this issue. 

 As we have been celebrating this momentous milestone for the organization, one of the highlights for me was attending the 70th Anniversary breakfast where several past presidents gathered proudly as they shared highlights of their year as president of this prestigious bar association.  During the breakfast each past president had an opportunity to reunite, reflect, reminisce and reconnect with each other. It truly was a sight to behold. It was an honor for me to reunite and/or meet with past presidents. I walked away with so much historical knowledge, and I beamed with pride that I would be able to lead this organization in the 70th year. Since the inception of this organization, we have grown in membership, diversity, practice areas, legislatively, and in so many other positive ways. 

During that 70th Anniversary Breakfast, I met past president Stuart Salsbury. Mr. Salsbury made remarks that day, and he talked with fondness about the late Max R. Israelson, who was the founder of this organization and first past president of the trial lawyers and so much more. After meeting Stuart Salsbury, it was important for me to follow up with him. I recently spoke to him again, about his reflections of being president of the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association, now (Maryland Association for Justice) in 1985. I asked past president Salsbury what it was like being president of the trial lawyers in 1985? He responded, “It was a hectic year.” As he reflected, he let me know that 1985 was the year the caps were passed in Maryland during the Maryland Legislative Session.  “…Things changed dramatically for the organization then.”  “…The trial lawyers had to act quickly.” During his year, he started the President’s Club, which is equivalent to the current Legislative Leaders Circle. The association did not have lobbyists before, now they had to have lobbyists. The legislative efforts in Annapolis had to activate to counteract what was happening. He was proud of how far our legislative efforts have grown in Annapolis and would love it if the caps could be repealed or significantly increased.  

In speaking with Mr. Salsbury, it still scars him when he thinks about the legislative session in 1985 and that we are still fighting some of the same issues.  As you are reading this article 40 years later, we are very hopeful for a successful legislative session in 2025. Repealing the caps continues to be a goal of this organization, but it is my hope that the repeal of the 11-108 caps can be repealed THIS year. The time is now.  

The legislative committee has been meeting regularly, and laser focused on a successful legislative session.  Governor Wes Moore’s office is supportive of our legislative issues, and rest assured your legislative committee will be approaching this issue from all angles.  We need all hands-on deck. Again, I charge you as you are reading this issue of Trial Reporter to not just be a champion of justice for our clients inside the courtroom, but also inside the statehouse for our legislative efforts in Annapolis. The Legislative Committee meets regularly, and if you are interested in joining that committee, please let me know.  If you are not a member of the Legislative Leaders Circle (LLC), reach out to me or the MAJ office for ways that you can monetarily help with the legislative agenda in Annapolis by joining or increasing your LLC contributions.   

Reflecting on the past 70 years has been great, but I am excited to see where this organization will continue to go over the next 70 years. As always, it is my greatest honor to serve you, my fellow trial lawyers.  

Biography 

Gwen-Marie Davis is the Managing Partner at GDH Law. She is a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law. She is dedicated to representing injured individuals and victims of wrongful death claims involving Premises Liability, Personal Injury, and Auto Collision Cases. She is passionate about fighting for clients in the court room and advocating for them on behalf of the MAJ before legislatures in Annapolis as well.  

Gwen-Marie was awarded the Daily Record's 2022 Personal Injury Law Power list and has been named Super Lawyer for several consecutive years. She has been of the MAJ Board of Governor's since 2016 and has represented Maryland as a Board of Governor for the American Association for Justice since 2021.  

She is admitted to practice in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.