The start of the 2021 school year brought with it a limited return to in-person activities for the students of Maryland Carey Law. This in turn brought relief to those that felt they were missing out on the traditional law school experience. Students were finally allowed to study together in the library, meet for in-person office hours, and attend in-person classes.
The Business Law Program in conjunction with the Business Law Society took advantage of the eased restrictions to host an event centered on the less talked about, but equally important, aspect of the traditional law school experience: the social aspect.
On a Friday in November, business law students, faculty, and staff enjoyed a night at the Sagamore Spirit Distillery in South Baltimore. The night started with guided tours of the building learning about different stages of whiskey creation, from mixing the mash to barreling and bottling the end product. Multiple tastings of samples were given along the way.
The tour offered attendees a one-of-a-kind experience where they gained knowledge of the rye whiskey distillation, aging, and bottling process. After the tours had finished, those in attendance were able to take advantage of the distillery’s outdoor patio to socialize.
The patio overlooking Baltimore’s port was a perfect setting for a night filled with conversation and networking. Those in attendance were finally able to meet those colleagues they have seen in the boxes of a Zoom meeting in person for the first time, catch up with familiar faces, and introduce themselves to new friends.
A highlight of the night was a short round of remarks by members of Carey Law’s Business law community including Nicholas Curtis, Business Law Society President, Heather Terech, Business Law Program Managing Director, Michael Van Alstine, Professor and Director of the Business Law Program, and guest of honor Alicia Wilson ‘07. Alumnus Bryan Saxton ’09 also attended and enjoyed spending time with the students while sharing advice and legal knowledge.
Wilson was the perfect speaker for a patio filled with aspiring business law attorneys wishing to use their legal skills to help businesses and communities grow. Before her current role as Vice President of economic development at Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Health System, she helped secure $660 million dollars in tax incremental funding for the Port Covington Development team in her role as Vice President of Community Affairs and Legal Advisor to Sagamore Development Company.
The Business Law Program and Business Law Society wish to thank Alicia Wilson and Bryan Saxton for their attendance and their great conversation through the night, and we look forward to meeting again in the very near future.