Attorneys Jo M. Glasco and James E. Henson, Sr., met for lunch. In their discussion, they addressed the need for African-American attorneys in Howard County to come together for mentoring, professional development, and for networking opportunities. Both were active members of the Howard County Bar Association and the Monumental City Bar in Baltimore City however, they determined that the Howard County community of African-American lawyers and general community required a bar association tailored to their unique concerns.
On September 15, 1984, twenty-seven attorneys responded to the call and attended the first meeting at the home of Jim Henson in Columbia, Maryland. On April 23, 1985, the state of Maryland chartered the Everett J. Waring / Juanita Jackson Mitchell Law Society of Howard County, Inc. At that time there were thirty-three charter members.
The group chose to name the law society after two outstanding African-American attorneys of historical significance in Maryland and nationally -- Everett J. Waring, and Juanita Jackson Mitchell. The group immediately became affiliated with the Maryland State Bar Association as a Specialty Bar and with the National Bar Association as an affiliate member.
The Everett J. Waring / Juanita Jackson Mitchell Law Society of Howard County ("WMLS") is comprised of judges, lawyers, and elected community leaders. WMLS sponsored political forums, participated in public school mentoring projects, performed pro bono legal services, conducted voter registration drives, served at expungement fairs, and interviewed and recommended judicial candidates to the Judicial Nominating Commission concerning hopeful judicial applicants.
