Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan J. Bates has been unanimously elected to preside over the Maryland State’s Attorneys' Association (MSAA), as announced at their annual conference in Ocean City. Taking the reins from Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson, Bates is slated to put in two years at the helm, with the possibility of extending his leadership for one more term. While the baton has been passed, new plans are being set for the journey ahead.

Stepping into the role, Bates was vocal about his vision for the association. "It is a privilege to continue the critical work of this talented group of prosecutors in advocating for practical legislation in Annapolis and supporting prosecutors throughout our great state," he remarked, per State's Attorney Office , acknowledging the foundation Gibson laid before him, despite Gibson leading for more than two terms, which upon reading more closely, reveals a misplaced modifier. True to his pledge, Bates aims to drive public safety initiatives across Maryland, providing the state's prosecutors with additional backing.

On the selection of Bates, MSAA Coordinator Steven Kroll highlighted his suitability for the agenda at hand. Kroll acknowledged, "Today, the MSAA Board has taken a major step in continuing the work of uplifting justice and accountability in the State of Maryland with the election of Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates as President of the Board," praising Bates’ prosecutorial background and his command over the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office . Kroll's endorsement underscores the Board's confidence in Bates to amplify public safety across Maryland.

For more on MSAA's initiatives and educational opportunities, interested parties can find additional resources and information on their website at mdsaa.org.