2021 Judicial Conference Program

Equal Justice Committee Hon. E. Gregory Wells, Chair

PURPOSE

The Equal Justice Committee will build the knowledge and proficiencies of judges and Judiciary personnel to strengthen the Judiciary’s commitment to equal justice under law for all.

MEMBERS

Hon. Clayton A. Aarons, Hon. Carlos F. Acosta, Hon. Sheila R. Tillerson Adams, Hon. Vicki Ballou-Watts, Hon. Marilyn F. Bentley, Hon. Sharon V. Burrell, Hon. Donine Carrington Martin, Hon. Audrey J. S. Carrion, Hon. Mark S. Chandlee, Hon. Yolanda L. Curtin, Hon. WilliamW. Davis, Jr., Hon. Angela M. Eaves, Hon. Robert A. Greenberg, Hon. LaTina B. Greene, Markisha Gross, Pamela Harris, ex officio, Hon. Susan H. Hazlett, Doug Hofstedt, Hon. Jeannie J. Hong, Hon. Melvin J. Jews, Linda Lewis, Stephanye R. Maxwell, Hon. John P. Morrissey, ex officio, Hon. Stephan M. Moylan, Magistrate Dilip Paliath, Hon. Gerald V. Purnell, Hon. Laura S. Ripken, Hon. Michelle R. Saunders, Hon. Cathy H. Serrette, Hon. Michael W. Siri, Hon. Shaem C. P. Spencer, Hon. Michael J. Stamm, Hon. Kenneth A. Talley, Hon. William V. Tucker, Hon. Pamela J. White, Hon. Barry G. Williams, Hon. Zuberi B. Williams, Hon. Dorothy J. Wilson, and Hon. Dana Moylan Wright. Faye Gaskin, Warren Hedges, Nadine Maeser, Pamela Ortiz, and Roberta Warnken, Staff.

SUBCOMMITTEES

Access and Fairness Subcommittee – Hon. Carlos F. Acosta, Chair Community Outreach Subcommittee – Hon. Vicki Ballou-Watts, Chair Diversity and Inclusion Education Subcommittee – Hon. Yolanda L. Curtin, Chair Operations Subcommittee – Hon. Robert A. Greenberg, Chair Rules Review Subcommittee – Hon. Daniel A. Friedman, Chair Sentencing Subcommittee – Hon. Sheila R. Tillerson Adams, Chair

(Reporting Period – July 2020 – September 30, 2020)

On June 9, 2020, in response to persistent calls for racial justice sparked by a series of unsettling events across the nation, Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera issued a Statement on Equal Justice Under the Law in which she declared: “We must, individually and collectively, contribute in any way we can to overcome the bias that divides and imperils our civil society…,” adding that “We must assure that our courts do not suffer bias, conscious or unconscious.” Chief Judge Barbera then created the 40-member Committee on Equal Justice, a cross-section of the Judiciary, comprising judges from all court levels, administrators, court clerks, and commissioners. The Honorable E. Gregory Wells, Associate Judge, Court of Special Appeals, was chosen to chair the Committee and to begin work on its the established mission, which in part directs the members formulate recommendations that will help to “…strengthen the Judiciary’s commitment to equal justice under law for all.” The committee’s first meeting was held in early July. Prior to the meeting, the members were asked to provide topics they considered important for the committee’s focus. In addition, the members were asked to take the Harvard Implicit Bias Test, so that those serving would gain insight of their unconscious biases and begin to fully understand and appreciate the impact of such prejudices. During the first meeting, members discussed their reactions to the Harvard Implicit Bias Test and participated in an engaging discussion around several areas they believe will contribute to the fair and equitable administration of justice. Judge Wells invited Russell McClain, Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law, to the second meeting to facilitate a discussion with the committee members and to assist them in refining potential areas of focus. From that discussion, the six subcommittees were formed, and their charges determined.

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