2025 Judicial Conference Program

Empathetic Advocacy: Effective Communication Strategies with Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in Legal Settings HONORABLE MARK F. SCURTI DISTRICT COURT IN BALTIMORE CITY 5800 WABASH AVENUE | BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21215 MARK F. SCURTI his an Associate Judge for the District Court of Maryland, District 1, Baltimore City. He was appointed on September 3, 2013, and reappointed on September 3, 2023. Adjunct Faculty, University of Baltimore School of Law – Perspectives on Sexual Orientation and the Law; Interviewing, Negotiation, and Counseling; Professional Responsibility US LLM; Judicial Externship. Loyola College in Maryland, B.A. (Marketing), 1985, M.B.A., 1987; University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D., 1991. Admitted to Maryland Bar, 1991; District of Columbia Bar, 1993 Current Committees/Memberships: American Bar Association: Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services; Bar Association of Baltimore City; International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges, Treasurer; Chair, Judicial Court Operations Committee, MDEC Advisory Committee, Civil Legislative Review workgroup; Maryland LGBTQ+ Bar Association; Maryland State Bar Association. Judiciary: Court Access & Community Relations Committee 2015 – 2020; Court Technology Committee 2015 – 2017; Court Operations Committee Chair from 2023 – present; Self-Represented Litigant Subcommittee Chair from 2015 – 2019 and standing member in 2020; Social Media & Mobile Access Subcommittee 2015 – 2016; Joint Subcommittee on Communication & Access to Judicial Information 2016 – 2019; Civil Law Subcommittee 2018 – 2021; Community Outreach Subcommittee 2020 – 2022; ADR in the Maryland Rules Subcommittee 2021 – present; Judicial Education Subcommittee 2021 – 2022; Legislative Review Workgroup 2015, 2021 – 2023; Central Maryland Baltimore/Annapolis Area Workgroup of Equal Justice Council 2021 – 2022; Docket Management Workgroup Co-Chair from 2023 – present. Legal: Former Trustee and Officer, Maryland Bar Foundation, Inc. and Baltimore Bar Foundation, Inc. Maryland State Bar Association: Board of Governors, 1998-2000, 2007-09, 2013-15, Treasurer 2016-2020, President 2020-2021; Alternative Dispute Resolution Section; Consumer Bankruptcy section- Chair, 2005-06; Delivery of Legal Services Section; Family & Juvenile Law Section; Attorney General Brian Frosh’s Access to Justice COVID -19 Commission; Bar Association of Baltimore City- President, 2006-07; Executive Council, 2009-10; Chair, membership committee, 2000-01; Baltimore County Bar Association, 2010-2013; Member, Maryland State Trial Lawyers Association, 1991-93, 2004-05, 2007. Board of Directors and President- Pro Bono Resource Center, 2000-03; Advisory Board, Chase Brexton Health Services, 2001-02; Editorial Board, Daily Record, 2007-09; Life fellow, Baltimore Bar Foundation, 1997; Life Fellow Maryland Bar Foundation, 1999; Past Chair and Board Member, Free State Legal Project, Inc.; Baltimore Courthouse Foundation and Law Museum, Trustee.

2025 JUDICIAL CONFERENCE

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