Saul Ewing and Harris Jones & Malone’s 3rd annual Roundtable Discussion draws enthusiastic response
December 12, 2012 – The uncertainty of the outcome of current "fiscal cliff" negotiations on the state of Maryland, as well as other important budgetary issues like transportation and higher education funding, took center stage December 6, 2012 at the 3rd annual session of the Maryland Insights conference sponsored by Saul Ewing and Harris Jones & Malone, LLC ("HJM"). More than 70 invited guests attended the session, which was relocated from Saul Ewing's offices to the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel because of the overwhelming number of attendees. The session offered Maryland's business leaders and decision-makers a rare opportunity to have an open dialogue with the presiding officers of both the Maryland House of Delegates and Maryland Senate.
"The status of Maryland politics, as well as the serious issues confronting the Maryland General Assembly," answered J. Joseph "Max" Curran, III, a partner and vice chair of Saul Ewing's Project and Resource Development Practice, when asked what topics dominated the session. Curran hosted this year's presentations with fellow Saul Ewing partner Jason M. St. John and Lisa Harris Jones and Sean R. Malone, founders and members of HJM, a law firm with a significant government relations practice that is allied with Saul Ewing.
The featured speakers for the session were the Hon. Michael E. Busch, Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, and the Hon. Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, Jr., President of the Maryland Senate. Attendees received a "heads up" on business and pressing legislative issues, the opportunity to directly ask questions of Maryland's legislative leaders, and a preview into the upcoming legislative session. The next session of the Maryland General Assembly begins January 9, 2013.
Harris Jones of HJM said Busch and Miller talked about budget negotiations in Washington, DC and how they may impact Maryland's state budget and the economic environment more generally. "I think the prevailing concern at this point is one of uncertainty," Harris Jones said. "The beauty of the Maryland Insights series is that it gives our clients and other friends of Saul Ewing and HJM the opportunity to engage in a two-way discussion with thought leaders about the general issues confronting the state and business community. Having had this opportunity to raise their concerns to Speaker Busch and President Miller prior to the New Year, we're glad that our clients can rest assured during the holiday season knowing that they are a step ahead of the game and confident that the upcoming session will be a successful one."
Curran added that "we really appreciated President Miller's and Speaker Busch's candor, wit and insights. It is a true testament to the respect both have for Lisa, Sean and our friends at HJM to take the time out of their busy schedules to join us this year."