Annapolis, MD (February 2026) — Liff, Walsh & Simmons is proud to announce that attorneys Jonathan W. McGowan and Richard J. Berwanger, Jr. are serving on the planning committee for the Anne Arundel Bar Association’s Bar Weekend 2026, taking place February 27–March 1, 2026, at The Hotel Hershey in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Bar Weekend is the Anne Arundel Bar Association’s annual professional development and networking event, bringing together members of the Anne Arundel Bar Association for a weekend of continuing legal education, collaboration, and community building.
In addition to his planning committee role, Richard J. Berwanger, Jr. will serve as both a panelist and moderator during the Saturday educational program.
On Saturday, February 28, from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., Richard will present on generational communication and expectations, feedback, and training strategies as part of the panel “Bridging the Gap: Mastering Collaboration in a Multigenerational Law Firm.” This session will explore how attorneys can better understand and adapt to differing communication styles, attitudes, and expectations across generations—from traditionalists through Generation Z—to foster stronger collaboration and more effective law firm cultures.
Later that morning, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Richard will moderate the panel “Ethics in the Age of AI: Navigating Professional Responsibilities in Legal Practice.” This timely discussion will examine the legal, ethical, and practical challenges attorneys face when using generative artificial intelligence tools and large language models, such as ChatGPT, in their daily practice. Panelists include Justice Jonathan Biran of the Supreme Court of Maryland, Tom DeGonia, Bar Counsel for the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland, and Jason Thomas, Chief Technology Officer for the Maryland Judiciary.
Bar Weekend provides a unique opportunity for professional development while strengthening relationships within the Anne Arundel legal community. Our team is honored to contribute to conversations that address both the evolving dynamics of today’s multigenerational law firms and the ethical considerations surrounding emerging technologies.
Liff, Walsh & Simmons’ involvement in Bar Weekend 2026 reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to leadership, professional excellence, and service within the Maryland legal community.
For more information about Anne Arundel Bar Association Bar Weekend 2026, visit www.aabar.org/barweekend26.
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About Liff, Walsh & Simmons
Liff, Walsh & Simmons is a full-service business law firm headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. Committed to serving the legal needs of small businesses and privately held companies across greater Maryland and the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Our expertise includes business counseling, contracts and transactions, commercial and civil litigation, labor and employment, legal ethics, estate planning and administration, real estate, and commercial finance.
