On March 9, 2009, the Court of Appeals established a permanent Commission on Professionalism to guide and support the principles of professionalism for all judges and lawyers throughout Maryland. The primary tasks of the Commission were to explore, as well as to monitor, the implementation of the professionalism policies adopted by the Court of Appeals, examine ways to promote professionalism among Maryland judges and lawyers, and provide sustained attention and assistance to the task of ensuring that the practice of law remains a high calling, focused on serving clients and promoting the administration of justice, as well as the public good.

The mission of the Commission was to support and encourage members of the Judiciary to exhibit the highest levels of professionalism and to support and encourage lawyers to exercise the highest levels of professional integrity in their relationships with their clients, other lawyers, the courts, and the public to fulfill their obligations to improve the law and the legal system.On September 12, 2012 through an Administrative Order of the Court, the previous Professionalism Commission was replaced by the Maryland Professionalism Center. The Center in its continuance of the mission of the Commission, presently conducts the Maryland Professionalism Course for all newly admitted attorneys to the Maryland Bar and provides an opportunity for all newly admitted attorneys to participate in the Court of Appeals’ Mentoring Program. The work of the Center will be expanded in the future to provide more opportunities for experienced lawyers and judges to participate in the development of professionalism in the State. The Maryland Professionalism Center, now economically independent from the Court of Appeals because of a $5 contribution from lawyers in the State, serves as the hub for the legal professionalism efforts in Maryland through the work of the board of directors and its subcommittees. The Center continues to develop initiatives that promote civility amongst attorneys and enhances the public’s trust in the legal community.