FBA Maryland Chapter Cohosts 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Federal Public Defender’s Office

On October 18, 2024, the Maryland Chapter of the FBA cohosted with The Historical Society for the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Federal Public Defender’s Office (FPDO) for the District of Maryland.  Welcoming and moderating the event was U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar who served as Public Defender from 1992 to 1998. He described the historical making of the FPDO in 1974 following the Criminal Justice Act of 1964.

The program continued with remarks from Baltimore City Orphan’s Court Judge Charles Gerald Bernstein who was the First Public Defender for the District of Maryland.  Judge Bernstein described the opening of the office and highlighted several audience members who worked along with him until 1980, including Mike Shatzow, Gerry Glass, Paul Spence, Mike Frisch, Peter Ward, Gerry Richman, John Morris, and Norman Johnson.  

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who worked as an attorney in the FPDO from 1998 – 2011, then moderated a panel which discussed the evolution of the office. 

Beth Farber, who worked in the office from 1986 – 2006, described how former Public Defender Fred W. Bennett (1980 – 1992) paved the way for women in the FPDO, allowing her to work part-time and later making her the first woman in a role of authority.  Additionally, she noted that Bennett was responsible for hiring three women who would later become U.S. District Judges for the District of Maryland. “Being a public defender is the greatest job in the world,” noted Farber.

John Chamble, who worked in the Greenbelt office as Branch Chief from 1994 to 2022, described how the federal sentencing guidelines were an awakening.  He also noted how the office grew in terms of diversity, which he largely attributes to Public Defender James Wyda.  Describing the office, Chamble stated that there was “collaboration and a collective intelligence energy given in service of clients to provide the best representation that money can’t buy.”

Former Investigator Jennifer Clouse who worked in the Office from 1997 – 2016, spoke about her investigations and how social media changed everything.  Investigator Claire Benack, who replaced Clouse in 2016, described how COVID affected her job, how it had a profound affect upon mental health issues, and how she continues to see ramifications of the pandemic.

Misdemeanor Team Lead Carrie Corcoran, who has worked in the Office since 1997, spoke of the Office’s misdemeanor docket, which is higher than those in other districts due to the amount of federal land in Maryland. Corcoran explained how the outcomes of misdemeanor cases, though comparatively less serious than others the FPDO handles, can have enormous consequences on their clients’ lives. Corcoran also highlighted a few of the sillier cases including one that somehow involved mayonnaise packets. 

Greenbelt Branch Chief Julie Stelzig, who has worked in the Office since 2007, discussed death penalty work, describing both losses and successes.  According to Stelzig, the Office is committed to doing capital work also outside of the District.

Perhaps the most moving part of the program, was the Client Reflections panel moderated by Appellate Team Lead Paresh Patel and Assistant Public Defender Sapna Mirchandani.  Patel provided a detailed description of the evolution of sentencing reform and stated that he was proud the Office had played an integral role in “arc towards bending toward justice.”  Mirchandani then introduced two former clients who described their interaction with the Office.

Gwendolyn Levi was arrested in 2004 for drug conspiracy when she drove drugs for 15 months of her life. Threatened with a life sentence, she initially agreed to plead guilty and cooperate in exchange for 14 years of imprisonment. Because her son was a co-defendant, however, she changed her decision.  Due to her breach of her plea, the prosecutor added a leadership enhancement and sought life imprisonment.  Levi was ultimately sentenced to 400 months’ imprisonment.  Her counterpart, who did not plead guilty, was convicted, and only served 210 months.  In 2019, the FPDO sought retroactive relief and her sentence was reduced.  In 2021, the FPDO sought compassionate relief due to her lung cancer diagnosis.  When she was healed, however, she her release was denied because she no longer fit the criteria.  As she explained, “the Office did not give up” and sought relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) for her to serve her sentence in home confinement.  Her release was again revoked after she attended a computer word-processing class in Baltimore and did not return calls from officials monitoring her.  She was sent back to prison for 21 days.  The FPDO then sought and obtained compassionate relief, reducing her sentence to time served.

Speaking of her sentencing to 400 months of confinement, Levi recalled observing her mother in the courtroom calculating the number of years and then approaching the prosecutor.  She later learned that her mother told the prosecutor that people in her family lived into their 100s and that she would be alive to see her get out.  Notably, her mother—now 97 years old—was present during the event on Friday.  Speaking of Mirchandani and the FPDO as a whole, Levi stated that she was “forever grateful.”

Kenneth Dixon, a ninth grade drop out from the Bronx, was arrested for heroin and fentanyl distribution and conspiracy and in 1992 given a life sentence pursuant to the sentencing guidelines, leaving three young children at home.  Prior to that time, Dixon had never been in prison.  Dixon spoke about how the FPDO successfully obtained his release, stating “Thank you for believing in us.” 

Their presentation resulted in a standing ovation from all attendees.

U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman, who worked in the FPDO until she was appointed a United States Magistrate Judge in 2019, moderated the final portion of the program, entitled “Reflections from Alumni.” 

Alumni Elizabeth Oyer currently serves as the Department of Justice Pardon Attorney.  “My perspective as a public defender is invaluable to my work at DOJ,” she explained.

Alumni Premal Dharia is now the Executive Director of the Institute to End Mass Incarceration at Harvard Law School.  “The Office has an ethic of client centered which I have carried into my profession,” Dharia stated.  “The Office exemplifies how to advocate.  We are critical pieces of a much bigger fight, but essential pieces of the system.  During the worst moment of someone’s life, there is kindness and compassion to stand next to them and bring them advocacy.  It cannot be understated how important that is.”

Alumni Kobie Flowers, who is now a trial lawyer with Brown Goldstein & Levy, echoed Dharia’s comments, noting that “you can’t be client-centered if you can’t take your ego out of it.”  According to Flowers, during his time at the FPDO he learned how to be client centered.

Alumni Lucius Outlaw is now an associate professor of law at Howard University School of Law teaching criminal law and justice courses.  Outlaw attributed the FPDO’s success to the wealth of institutional knowledge.  “There is a tradition that those with seniority have obligation to pass on that knowledge that you can’t find in a book or Westlaw,” said Outlaw. “Now I get to live that tradition and pass that institutional knowledge to the students. Institutional knowledge is more than just attorneys.” Outlaw also opined that criminal justice reform was the civil rights of the current generation.

At the conclusion of the program, U.S. District Judge Bredar noted that missing from the program was Public Defender James Wyda, mainly due to his humbleness.  After calling Wyda to the podium to thank him for his 26 years of extraordinary leadership, Wyda received a standing ovation.  After a few short remarks by Wyda, the attendees and speakers attended a reception following the program. 

FBA Maryland Chapter Continues to Celebrate Women's History Month by Recognizing Sherrilyn Ifill, A Civil Rights Advocate and Icon

Sherrilyn Ifill, born on December 17, 1962, in New York City, New York, is a distinguished American lawyer, scholar, and civil rights advocate and Maryland resident. She is currently the Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., Esq. Endowed Chair in Civil Rights at Howard University School of Law. In 2024, Ifill launched the 14th Amendment Center for Law & Democracy.

Ifill was born to Lester and Myrtle Ifill and is the youngest of ten children. Her family immigrated to the United States from Barbados. Ifill graduated from Hillcrest High School and went on to earn her A.B. in English from Vassar College in 1984, followed by a J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1987.

Ifill began her legal career as a Fellow at the American Civil Liberties Union in New York from 1987 to 1988. She then joined the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) as an Assistant Counsel, where she litigated significant voting rights cases, including the landmark Houston Lawyers' Association v. Attorney General of Texas in 1991. The case extended Voting Rights Act protections to state judicial elections. In 1993, Ifill transitioned to academia, joining the University of Maryland School of Law faculty, where she taught civil procedure and constitutional law for two decades. She also co-founded one of the first legal clinics in the nation dedicated to eliminating legal barriers for recently released criminal offenders.

In 2013, Ifill returned to the LDF as its seventh President and Director-Counsel, a position she held until 2022. Under her leadership, the LDF increased its visibility and engagement in litigating critical civil rights issues, including voter suppression and racial discrimination in the criminal justice system. Ifill's tenure was marked by her influential voice during national political and civil rights crises, and she became a trusted advisor to civic and community leaders.

Ifill has also been a prolific scholar, publishing numerous academic articles and op-eds in leading newspapers. Her 2007 book, "On the Courthouse Lawn: Confronting the Legacy of Lynching in the 21st Century," is credited with laying the foundation for contemporary conversations about lynching and reconciliation. She is currently working on a new book titled "Is This America?" which addresses race and the current crisis in American democracy.

Ifill's contributions to civil rights and legal scholarship have been widely recognized. She has received numerous honorary degrees and awards, including the Thurgood Marshall Award from the American Bar Association and the Gold Medal from the New York State Bar Association. In 2021, she was named one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World and received the Brandeis Medal in 2023.

Ifill is married to Ivo Knobloch, and they have three children. She continues to be a prominent figure in the field of civil rights and a powerful voice contributing her expertise and leadership to various organizations and initiatives during these turbulent times.

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FBA Maryland Chapter Celebrates Women's History Month by Spotlighting Margaret Brent, Maryland’s Trailblazing First Female Attorney

 

Margaret Brent was born circa 1601 in Gloucestershire, England. Brent stands as a pioneering figure in the legal history of the English North American colonies. Her remarkable legal career is a testament to her intelligence, resilience, and determination to assert her rights in a male-dominated society. 

Brent's legal career began in Maryland, where she arrived in 1638 with her siblings. She quickly established herself as a formidable legal mind, representing herself and her brothers in court and winning every case she was involved in over an eight-year period. Her legal acumen and ability to navigate the complexities of colonial law made her an indispensable figure in the early legal landscape of Maryland.

In 1647, Brent was appointed as the executrix of Governor Leonard Calvert's estate, a role that underscored her legal expertise and trustworthiness. Calvert, recognizing her capabilities, entrusted her with the responsibility of managing his estate and instructed her to "take all and pay all."[1] This appointment was not only a recognition of her legal skills but also a significant step in her career, as it placed her in a position of considerable authority and responsibility. Brent defended an estimated 124 claims against the estate.

Brent's most notable legal and political action came in 1648 when as a landowner she demanded a voice and vote in the Maryland Assembly. As the attorney-in-fact for Lord Baltimore, Brent argued for her right to participate in the assembly's proceedings. Brent stated in her request to the Maryland General Assembly, "I've come to seek a voice in this assembly. And yet because I am a woman, forsooth I must stand idly by and not even have a voice in the framing of your laws." Her request was denied, but her bold stance highlighted her commitment to asserting her legal rights and challenging the status quo.

Margaret Brent's legal career and her demand for a vote in the Maryland Assembly have cemented her legacy as a pioneering advocate for women's rights. Although she was unsuccessful in gaining the right to vote, her actions laid the groundwork for future generations of women seeking to assert their legal and political rights. Brent is often hailed as one of the earliest examples of feminist activism in colonial America, and her insistence on her legal rights as an unmarried gentlewoman of property was both exceptional and groundbreaking.

Margaret Brent's contributions to the legal history of the American colonies are profound. She is remembered not only as the first woman lawyer in the colonies but also as a trailblazer who challenged societal norms and fought for her rights in a time when women had little legal standing. Her legacy continues to inspire women in the legal profession and serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and courage in the face of adversity. 

[1] Margaret Brent – Maryland’s First Female Lawyer, Judge Pamela J. White, University of Maryland Law Journal of Race, Religion and Gender, Vol. 7, Issue 1 (2007).

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As Black History Month Draws to a Close, FBA Maryland Chapter Recognizes Donald Gaines Murray, the First Black Law Student Admitted to University of Maryland School of Law

Donald Gaines Murray was an influential African American civil rights activist, attorney, and the first African American student to be admitted to the University of Maryland School of Law. His case played a crucial role in the desegregation of higher education in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s.

Murray was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in a period of rigid racial segregation. He graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1929 and in 1934 earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College. After completing his undergraduate education, Murray sought to further his legal studies by applying to the University of Maryland School of Law, which was a segregated institution at the time. His application was rejected on account of his race. Murray's appeal to the Board of Regents of the University was unsuccessful.

In 1935, after being denied admission, Murray enlisted the help of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). Led by Thurgood Marshall and Charles Hamilton Houston, the NAACP filed a lawsuit on his behalf, claiming that Murray was being unfairly denied access to the law school because of his race. The case, Murray v. Pearson, 182 A. 590, 169 Md. 478 (1936), resulted in a landmark decision where the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Murray, forcing the University of Maryland Law School to admit him. 

Marshall argued the organization's policy of racial segregation was unconstitutional and that "since the State of Maryland had not provided a comparable law school for blacks that Murray should be allowed to attend the white university." Marshall reasoned that

What's at stake here is more than the rights of my client. It's the moral commitment stated in our country's creed.

On an order for the issue of a writ of mandamus, Raymond A. Pearson, president of the university, was required to admit Murray to the University of Maryland Law School. The ruling was appealed to Maryland's highest court, the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the lower courts' rulings on January 15, 1936.

Murray's victory further propelled the fight for educational equality, laying the foundation for subsequent challenges to segregation in education including the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954.

Murray enrolled at the University of Maryland School of Law in 1936 and went on to graduate in 1940 with the help of Alpha Phi Alpha, a black fraternity which paid for his tuition and law books. After his graduation, Murray practiced law in Baltimore, where he continued his advocacy for civil rights and improving opportunities for African Americans in education, business, and the legal system. 

Donald Gaines Murray's legacy is significant in the history of desegregation as his legal fight against racial exclusion set an important legal precedent for the civil rights movement in the United States.

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FBA Maryland Chapter Continues to Celebrate Black History Month by Spotlighting Juanita Jackson Mitchell, the First Black Woman Admitted to Practice Law in Maryland

Juanita Jackson Mitchell was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1913, though she spent most of her childhood in Baltimore. A graduate of Frederick Douglass High School, Ms. Mitchell attended Morgan State College for two years and ultimately graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in education and a Master of Arts in sociology. During those formative years, Ms. Mitchell became highly involved in civil rights work, including working with the youth division of the NAACP, leading voter registration campaigns, and organizing a march on Annapolis.

After the University of Maryland School of Law was ordered to desegregate in Murray v. Pearson, 169 Md. 478 (1936)—but not officially doing so until the 1940s—Ms. Mitchell became the first Black woman to graduate from the school in 1950. Subsequently, she became the first Black woman to practice law in Maryland. 

Ms. Mitchell is heralded for her legal career devoted to ending segregation in Maryland, ranging from helping desegregate state parks to successfully arguing for Maryland to integrate its school system after Brown v. Board of Education (making Maryland the first "southern" state to integrate its schools). She primarily continued to work with the NAACP during her legal career, where she became head of the Maryland NAACP. She also received White House appointments from Presidents Kennedy and Johnson and served as Co-Chair of the Mayor of Baltimore's Task Force on Police-Community Relations.

Ms. Mitchell married her husband, civil rights activist and former NAACP Chief Lobbyist Clarence Mitchell, Jr., after whom the Circuit Court for Baltimore City named its courthouse. Perhaps Ms. Mitchell should have received equal honor. Several of their children and grandchildren have continued her legacy through their involvement in Maryland and Baltimore City politics. Ms. Mitchell passed away in Baltimore in 1992. Her far-reaching legacy continues as her original law office in Marble Hill/Upton is being renovated in her honor, fittingly to house the new offices of ROAR, a survivor advocacy organization.

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FBA Maryland Chapter Continues to Celebrate Black History Month by Recognizing Everett J. Waring, the First Black Lawyer Admitted in Maryland

Everett J. Waring was born on May 22, 1859, in Springfield, Ohio. Initially a teacher after graduating from high school, Mr. Waring moved to Washington, D.C., in 1882, where he simultaneously worked for the U.S. Department of the Interior and attended Howard University, where he pursued a law degree. He graduated in 1885, initially receiving admission to the D.C. bar. Later that year, Mr. Waring became the first Black lawyer to be admitted to the bar of Baltimore's Supreme Bench, making him the first Black lawyer admitted to practice law in Maryland. The following year, he moved to Baltimore and opened his law practice.

During his time practicing law in Baltimore, Mr. Waring regularly represented clients in anti-discrimination, anti-segregation, and anti-lynching cases. In his first case, Mr. Waring argued before the Baltimore Supreme Bench that a child support statute was unconstitutional, as it provided benefits only to children born of single white women. While the court dismissed the case, Mr. Waring brought substantial public attention to the issue and, just two years later, the codification of Maryland statutes omitted the qualifier "white" from benefit eligibility. Other notable cases Mr. Waring argued include one opposing steamship segregation and one opposing segregation at the University of Maryland law school.

Everett J. Waring, Afro News, https://afro.com/marylands-first-black-lawyers/.

Perhaps Mr. Waring's most famous case was Jones v. United States, 137 U.S. 202 (1890), through which Mr. Waring became the first Black attorney to argue before the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Waring represented Henry Jones, a Black laborer on an American-occupied Caribbean island. Mr. Jones, alongside seventeen other Black laborers, was accused of murdering five white officers for the Quaker Company in a revolt against the company's brutal working conditions. Mr. Waring argued that Maryland's federal court did not have jurisdiction over alleged criminal acts on the island.  While the Supreme Court held that the Maryland federal court had jurisdiction, the efforts of Mr. Waring and others brought substantial attention to the plight of Mr. Jones and his fellow laborers. Ultimately, President Benjamin Harrison commuted the sentence of Mr. Jones, describing the significance of the case in his 1891 State of the Union Address: "There appeared on the trial and otherwise came to me such evidences of the bad treatment of the men that in consideration of this and of the fact that the men had no access to any public officer or tribunal for protection or the redress of their wrongs I commuted the death sentences that had been passed by the court upon three of them."

Mr. Waring and his wife, Katie Johnson, had four children. Mr. Waring left Baltimore in 1897, and passed away in Pennsylvania in 1925.

Mr. Waring's legacy lives on through his tireless efforts to champion before the courts those who otherwise had no voice, as well as through those who carry on his legacy, including his great nephew, the Hon. Michael Waring Lee, former Chief Judge of the Orphan's Court for Baltimore City and the first Black Chief Judge in Maryland.

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FBA Maryland Chapter Celebrates Black History Month by Spotlighting Retired Maryland Circuit Court Judge Sheila Tillerson Adams

Judge Sheila Tillerson Adams has been a trailblazer for African American women in Prince George's County, achieving several historic milestones. She was the first to serve as deputy county attorney and the first African American woman appointed to the District Court for Prince George's County.

Born on December 16, 1957, in Washington, D.C., Judge Adams was inspired to pursue law after hearing a Black female attorney speak at her school in seventh grade. She earned a B.S. in psychology, cum laude, from Morgan State University in 1979, followed by a J.D. from Howard University School of Law in 1982. She later specialized in taxation, obtaining an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1987.

Judge Adams began her legal career at the Legal Aid Bureau (1982–1984), providing free legal services to low-income Maryland residents. She then joined the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office, prosecuting misdemeanor and felony cases before becoming chief of the Sexual Assault/Child Abuse Unit. In 1988, she made history again as the first African American appointed deputy county attorney, where she oversaw legal matters related to county contracts and public projects. She also served as counsel to the Minority Business Opportunity Commission.

In 1993, Governor William Donald Schaefer appointed her as the first African American woman to serve on the District Court for Prince George's County. Three years later, in 1996, she was elevated to the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court. In 2010, she became the Chief and Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Prince George's County and the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Maryland, a role she held until her retirement on December 31, 2022.

Throughout her career, Judge Adams championed community engagement, particularly supporting veterans, individuals reentering society, and at-risk youth. She was also a strong advocate for addressing juvenile crime and promoting fair access to justice.

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FBA Maryland Chapter Continues to Celebrate National Veterans and Military Families Month by Recognizing Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is a distinguished leader whose career is marked by a profound commitment to public service, shaped significantly by his military background. As a veteran and legal advocate, he brings a unique perspective to his role, blending his experiences in the armed forces with a steadfast dedication to justice for all Marylanders.

Before becoming the first African American to hold the position of Attorney General in Maryland, Anthony Brown began his career in the United States Army. He graduated first in his U.S. Army flight school class at Fort Rucker in Alabama. Anthony Brown then went on to serve in active duty as a helicopter pilot with the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division in Europe.

Upon returning from active duty, Anthony Brown enrolled in Harvard Law School. After graduating from law school, he continued his career in military service as a legal advocate. Anthony Brown transferred from the Army's Aviation Branch to the Judge Advocate General's Corps to serve as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the Army Reserve. Anthony Brown clerked for Chief Judge Eugene Sullivan of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces for two years. Then, while remaining active in the Army Reserve, he entered private practice before beginning his journey as a public servant in the Maryland legislature.

In 2004, while serving his second term in the House of Delegates, Anthony Brown deployed to Iraq on a 10-month tour with the 353rd Civil Affairs Command to render humanitarian relief to a war-torn country. In recognition of his distinguished service as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Anthony Brown earned a Bronze Star – the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces – a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, and an Iraq Campaign Medal. In 2014, Anthony Brown retired from the Army at the rank of Colonel after 30 years of commissioned service.

His experiences in the military not only shaped his leadership skills but instilled a strong sense of duty and unwavering commitment to serve the public. As Attorney General, Anthony Brown has made advocating for veterans and active-duty service members a priority. Recognizing the unique challenges they face, he has launched initiatives focused on veterans’ mental health, housing, and access to legal resources. In addition to his advocacy for veterans, Anthony Brown has been a powerful voice for social justice across Maryland. He has tackled issues including racial and gender equity, consumer rights, environmental protection, gun safety, and mass incarceration.

Leading with integrity and compassion, Anthony Brown remains a steadfast champion for justice in Maryland, embodying the values of service, honor, and equity.

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In Celebration of Veterans Day and Military Families Month, the FBA Maryland Chapter Recognizes and Spotlights United States District Judge Richard D. Bennett

Judge Bennett served over 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and Maryland National Guard and is a Major in the Retired Reserve. He received the Maryland Commendation Medal for Outstanding Service, the Maryland Distinguished Service Cross for Service Beyond the Call of Duty and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Judge Bennett's journey to the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps began when he graduated from college in the midst of the Vietnam War with the plan to join the Marine Corp Judge Advocate Division after conclusion of law school.  However, there was a cancellation of all graduate school deferments.  As a result, he served in the enlisted ranks of the Army Reserve while attending law school. 

After attending law school, Judge Bennett became an Assistant U.S. Attorney.  His case load as an Assistant U.S. Attorney required him to handle matters for military installations which ultimately prompted his return to military service.  Upon completion of coursework at the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's School in Charlottesville, Virginia, Judge Bennett became a JAG officer in the Maryland National Guard.

Judge Bennett served over 14 years as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate of the Maryland National Guard.  In that capacity, he was involved in the mobilization and deployment of Maryland National Guard Units for Operation Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War in late 1990 and early 1991. The mobilization and deployment proved to be his most memorable military experience.  Judge Bennett recalled that farmers on the Eastern Shore of Maryland mobilized at a transportation company in Salisbury.  Doctors and nurses at major Baltimore hospitals returned to duty at a combat support hospital in Baltimore.  Additionally, Maryland State Troopers quickly arrived at a military police company headquartered in Towson to prepare for deployment to operate a prisoner of war facility in Kuwait.  Reflecting on this time of his career, Judge Bennett recounted that not once did he ever see these valiant citizen-soldiers ever complain or cite personal circumstances which made it inconvenient for them to return to military duty.  Judge Bennett was awaiting his own deployment when the war came to a quick conclusion. 

Judge Bennett believes that the courage and dedication of his fellow service members and their families inspired him and that his legal training enabled him to essentially become the family lawyer for many of them.  Providing legal counsel for the preparation of 700 wills and powers of attorney for these men and women gave Judge Bennett a keen perspective of the sacrifice and impact of military service on many Maryland families. 

In Judge Bennett's view "it was an absolute privilege to serve with these men and women" and it reinforced his dedication to a life of service including his time on the bench.  Judge Bennett believes that the rich experiences he amassed serving in the military are at the core of his foundation -- not only strengthening him as a lawyer, but making him a more capable judge.

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FBA Maryland Chapter Continues to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlighting Claudia R. Cubas, Assistant Chief Immigration Judge for the Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review

Claudia R. Cubas was appointed an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge (ACIJ), within the Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), in March 2024. Prior to that, from 2022-2024, Judge Cubas served as an immigration judge at the Hyattsville, Maryland Immigration Court.

Judge Cubas—whose parents are from El Salvador—originally hails from Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2005 from the University of St. Thomas, in Houston, Texas. In 2008, Judge Cubas earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where she served as a student attorney in the law school’s immigration clinic. Since then, her legal career has been devoted to the field of immigration law, both as a determined advocate and now as an impartial federal administrative law judge.

Her legal practice and public service work has always been in Maryland and the surrounding DMV region. From 2008 to 2009, she was an attorney in private practice. From 2009 to 2011, she was an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow at the Central American Resource Center, in the District of Columbia. From 2013-2022, she held various roles ranging from staff attorney, supervising attorney, program director, to litigation director at the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (formerly known as the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition in the District of Columbia and Maryland). In her current role as ACIJ of EOIR, Judge Cubas oversees Maryland’s two immigration courts in Hyattsville and Baltimore, where she supervises over 20 federal immigration judges who hear and decide cases in each of those courts.

Prior to her public service commitment to EOIR, Judge Cubas was deeply revered as a legal advocate in the immigrants’ rights field amongst legal service providers, pro bono law firm partners, private attorneys, judges, agency leaders, the many attorneys she mentored, and most importantly, her clients and their families.

Known fondly by her closest peers at Amica Center as “EncycloClaudia” for her unmatched acumen of legal precedent, Judge Cubas embodies mastery of the law. As impressive are her leadership skills and exceptional record in advancing justice—from securing coalitions to challenge the most difficult of legal battles, to winning the most complicated cases for pro se individuals facing cognitive disabilities and imminent deportation, to often being the first to break down highly complex legal rules into easy-to-understand step-by-step processes so other attorneys could best represent their clients.

Judge Cubas was recently recognized by the Maryland Hispanic Bar Association (MHBA), at the group’s 31st Annual Gala, where she was awarded the MHBA Leadership Award (Premio Liderazgo)—an award reserved to attorneys with distinct and extraordinary accomplishments, specifically commitment to activities that advance the profession and improve society. Judge Cubas’ nomination included the following notation from incoming MHBA President, the Honorable Llamilet Gutierrez, District Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland: “Claudia Cubas has had a brilliant career as a tireless advocate for immigrant rights. She is a fierce Latina, Maryland lawyer, and an accomplished litigator.”

Similarly, a former colleague of Judge Cubas, Adina Appleabaum of Amica Center, stated “[W]hat always moved me most about Judge Cubas is her rare blend of legal mastery with heart-led service and deep passion for and belief in the rule of law and the fight for justice. The values and conviction I've seen her make decisions and act by over the years are stronger than any other lawyer or judge I've ever met.” Today, Judge Cubas uses her legal skills and experience to ensure due process to immigrants facing removal at Maryland’s two immigration courts.

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FBA Maryland Chapter Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlighting Maryland Supreme Court Justice Angela M. Eaves

On April 12, 2022, Judge Angela M. Eaves was sworn in to serve on the Supreme Court of Maryland in a ceremony officiated by former Governor Lawrence J. Hogan. On accepting the oath of office, Judge Eaves became the first Hispanic to serve on the high court of Maryland. The ceremony capped a trailblazing legal career dedicated to public service in which, along the way, Judge Eaves was routinely breaking new barriers as a “first.”

Judge Eaves was born on April 22, 1959, in the Canal Zone, Panama to a Panamanian mother and African American father. Judge Eaves’ father was a non-commissioned army officer whose military service provided Judge Eaves the opportunity to live in Germany, California, New York, New Jersey and Texas where she began her legal career after receiving her Juris Doctor from the University of Texas Law School in 1986.

Following law school, Judge Eaves worked as an assistant city attorney for Dallas, Texas before relocating to Harford County, Maryland. Judge Eaves was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1990 and shortly thereafter was hired as a lawyer for the Legal Aid Bureau in Harford County. From 1993 until 2000, Judge Eaves was an assistant attorney general for Harford County where she was tasked with defending correctional officers and state officials in civil suits and took on child-support appeal cases for the Department of Human Resources. From 1995 to 1996, Judge Eaves served on the Harford County Charter Review Commission and from 1995 through 1997 she served as a member of the Human Relations Commission. 

In 1995, Judge Eaves, in her role as assistant attorney general, was involved in a precedent making child-support appeal case, Natasha Wills v. Randy W. Jones, 340 Md. 480 (1995). The Wills case addressed child support obligations of imprisoned parents within the context of the child support guidelines governing “voluntary impoverishment.” The Supreme Court of Maryland concluded that a prisoner is only “voluntary impoverished” as a result of incarceration if the crime leading to incarceration was committed with the intention of becoming incarcerated or otherwise impoverished, but impoverishment should not result in termination of a child support obligation. Judge Eaves advocated that “no court can relieve a parent of the obligation to pay. Even if it is reduced to zero, the obligation is still there.”[1] The ruling effectively prevented incarcerated parents from asking courts to outright terminate their child support obligations.

In 1996, Judge Eaves was awarded the Office of Attorney General’s Pro Bono Award for her tireless work advocating for the legal rights of the less fortunate.

On March 27, 2000, Judge Eaves was appointed to serve as an Associate Judge on the District Court of Maryland, District 9, Harford County. This appointment made her the first African American appointed to the bench in Harford County. On December 28, 2007, Judge Eaves was elevated to the Circuit Court for Harford County. She served as an associate judge from December 28, 2007, to January 26, 2015. On January 26, 2015, Judge Eaves became the first woman administrative judge to head the Circuit Court for Harford County. Judge Eaves served in that capacity until March 23, 2022.

In addition to her service on the Supreme Court, Judge Eaves shares her knowledge and experience as a distinguished jurist through her work as an instructor for the Maryland Judicial College and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

[1] Brennan, Catherine, “High Court Rules Prisoners Can Seek Child Support Cut,” The Daily Record, 16 November 1995.

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Fireside Chat Held with Bankruptcy Judge Nancy V. Alquist

 

On April 16, 2025, the Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, jointly with the Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association, had another excellent fireside judiciary chat, this time with the Honorable Nancy V. Alquist of the Maryland Bankruptcy Court, Baltimore Division.  The chat was moderated by Irving E. Walker of Cole Schotz P.C., who frequently appears in the Maryland Bankruptcy Court as well as other bankruptcy and federal courts in other states, representing companies in distress and other clients in litigation arising out of business bankruptcy cases.  Judge Alquist, who was appointed to serve on the Maryland Bankruptcy Court in 2004, first spoke about her career and the importance of two very influential mentors in her development as an accomplished bankruptcy lawyer prior to her appointment to the bench.

With respect to practicing in her Court, Judge Alquist encouraged non-bankruptcy lawyers to seize opportunities to get involved in litigation in the bankruptcy court, since it is governed for the most part by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure as modified by the Federal Bankruptcy Rules and Local Bankruptcy Rules, and the Federal Rules of Evidence.  She noted that this is a great way, especially for younger lawyers, to get experience handling evidentiary hearings in federal court, while also emphasizing the importance of knowing the applicable Bankruptcy Rules, the Local Rules and the bankruptcy judge’s protocols.

Judge Alquist discussed one of the bigger challenges the Bankruptcy Court faces, which is the very large number of pro se case filings by debtors in Maryland, and invited members of the bankruptcy bar to think about the reasons behind the fact that Maryland, for most years, is second only to Washington D.C. in the percentage of debtor cases filed pro se, and whether there is anything that can be done to reduce the numbers of such cases, given the difficulties debtors face in attempting to navigate through bankruptcy, especially Chapter 13, without counsel.

Judge Alquist also discussed her very extensive international experience devoting significant time to programs, through the Department of Commerce, conducting workshops and trainings in many developing countries to help them develop a judicial system for bankruptcy, commercial law, and insurance law, which are essential for countries to become attractive for international lending.  Her work has included workshops with lawyers, judges and government leaders in Argentina, Chile, New Delhi, Kyiv and Odessa, Ukraine, Kosovo, Dubai, Kabul, Afghanistan, and Iraq, as well as a number of other countries.  Judge Alquist also discussed briefly her service on the Bankruptcy Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

The program was a great opportunity for trial lawyers who may not have much familiarity with the Bankruptcy Court, as well as members of the Maryland Bankruptcy Bar, to hear about Judge Alquist’s unique experiences and perspectives.

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The FBA Maryland Chapter Issues Statement in Defense of Judiciary

On February 28, 2025, the FBA Maryland Chapter issued a statement in defense of the judiciary condemning attacks on the independent federal judiciary and urging members of the bar to stand with our judges when they face threats and intimidation. The full statement may be found at Defense of the Judiciary - Federal Bar Association MD. 

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Fireside Chat Held with Chief Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan

On February 6, 2025, the Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association had yet another excellent fireside judiciary chat, this time with Chief Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan who was appointed to Chief Magistrate Judge on September 1, 2023.  The fireside chat was moderated by FBA Board Member Beatrice “Bea” Thomas. Chief Magistrate Judge Sullivan described his extensive federal defense work in different districts, helping to save lives through mitigation efforts with his colleagues.  He detailed how important his defense work was to him, describing it as ”incredibly stressful, but incredibly rewarding.” He also reflected on the painful aspect of his work, sharing about the death of one of his clients, Dustin Higgs, who was the last person executed by the first Trump administration. With respect to his shift to becoming a judge, Chief Magistrate Judge Sullivan described the tremendous admiration he had for federal judges in the District Court for the District of Maryland. Although noting that "they never agreed with me and I with them,” he found them to be respectful and delightful colleagues and friends. Chief Magistrate Judge Sullivan explained that becoming a Magistrate Judge did not happen overnight, but he had a strong sense of public service and had good mentors like District Judge Paul W. Grimm (ret.), Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner (ret.), and Magistrate Judge William G. Connolly (ret.).

Chief Magistrate Judge Sullivan addressed the importance of patience, recounting a time when lawyers had to put in “sweat equity" to find a path of law to specialize in.  He noted that today lawyers seek to be senior partner before walking into a courtroom.  He emphasized that good lawyering takes time, and that a new lawyer’s first priority should be to learn the practice of law. Chief Magistrate Judge Sullivan also discussed the importance of mentors. He explained that face to face, in-person interactions are key to a successful mentor-mentee relationship. He encouraged attendees to have at least two people that they can have 100% confidence in and can call upon to help them move forward in their careers. Chief Magistrate Judge Sullivan concluded by offering valuable insights to trial lawyers, advising that they recognize the weaknesses in their cases, and do not try to avoid them. He also cautioned that while preparation is important, lawyers should not be afraid to say when they do not know the answer.

It was a delight to have Chief Magistrate Judge Sullivan sit down with us and offer a glimpse into the multi-faceted aspects of his professional experiences as an advocate and judge. As someone who has dedicated his life to fighting on behalf of others and upholding the rule of law, it is clear that Chief Magistrate Judge Sullivan’s career path is marked by fairness, integrity, and a commitment to justice.

Fireside Chat Held with Chief Judge George L. Russell, III

On November 21, 2024, the Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association continued its fireside chat series with a conversation with Chief Judge George L. Russell, III, moderated by FBA Board Member LaShanta Harris. Chief Judge Russell was recently elevated to Chief Judge on May 1, 2024. Chief Judge Russell described his early professional experience with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, where he worked in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions before being appointed as a judge first to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (2007) and later to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2011).

Chief Judge Russell shared valuable insights with the chat attendees, including the strong influence of Chief Judge Russell’s father, George L. Russell, Jr., who was the first African American to sit on the Circuit Court in Maryland and the first African American to sit on an appellate court in the state of Maryland. A picture of Chief Judge Russell and his father graced the wall on the background of Chief Judge Russell’s chambers where the fireside chat was held. During the chat, Chief Judge Russell acknowledged the support of his colleagues and all of the personnel within the Maryland District Court who have helped facilitate a smooth transition to the Chief Judge position. Chief Judge Russell also encouraged new lawyers to surround themselves with excellent lawyers so that they can pick up the habits and traits that make an excellent lawyer, such as being a hard worker and having the utmost integrity. He also suggested that lawyers give back to their local communities by doing a community activity at least once per quarter. Chief Judge Russell then concluded with encouragement for all lawyers to continue to practice civility and professionalism in order to maintain the high level of excellence that exists in the community of Maryland District Court practitioners.

We are truly grateful for Chief Judge Russell’s willingness to spend time with us and to share his views and the experience he has gained through his long and continued career in our great Maryland legal community.

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FBA Maryland Chapter Participates in The Defending the Judiciary Conference

On October 31 and November 1, 2024, FBA Maryland Chapter President Maria Salacuse attended The Defending the Judiciary Conference, an invitation-only event hosted by the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke University.  Director of the Bolch Judicial Institute and former United States District Court Judge of the District of Maryland Paul W. Grimm coordinated the conference as part of a national effort to mobilize the legal profession to defend judges and the judiciary from unwarranted physical and verbal attacks that threaten judicial independence and diminish public faith in the judicial system.

On behalf of the Bolch Judicial Institute, Judge Grimm opened the conference by awarding United States District Judge of the District of New Jersey Esther Salas with the 2024 Raphael Lemkin Rule of Law Guardian Medal in recognition of her efforts to strengthen laws that protect the physical safety of judges and their families.  Judge Salas, with her husband Mark Anderl present, spoke about her own personal experience when in July 2020, a former litigant dressed as a delivery driver opened fire at her house, killing her son Daniel and severely wounding her husband.  On December 23, 2022, President Biden signed the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2021 which prohibits the selling, trading, transferring, or purchasing of judges’ personal information online. Judge Salas played a significant role in advocating for the passage of bipartisan legislation in Maryland to protect the personal information of current and former members of the Maryland judiciary. Named after Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson who was tragically shot and killed in his driveway by a litigant in October 2023, the Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson Judicial Security Act took effect on June 1, 2024.  Judge Salas continues to assist other states in passing similar laws to protect state court judges and families.

   

The conference then proceeded with multiple panels led by distinguished members of the judiciary and various bar associations, including Judge Salas, United States District Court Judge of the Middle District of Pennsylvania and FBA President-Elect Karoline Mehalchick, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland Matthew Fader, United States District Court Judge of the Northern District of Illinois Joan Lefkow, United States District Court Judge of the Southern District of Florida Robin Rosenberg, and American Board of Trial Advocates President La’Verne Edney.  Attendees also heard from security and social media experts, including Meta Director of Content Policy Michael Marando, and received practical guidance on how attorneys and bar associations can speak out when judges are unfairly attacked and can engage in civic education to improve public understanding of the courts.

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FBA Maryland Chapter Cohosts 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Federal Public Defender’s Office

On October 18, 2024, the Maryland Chapter of the FBA cohosted with The Historical Society for the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Federal Public Defender’s Office (FPDO) for the District of Maryland.  Welcoming and moderating the event was U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar who served as Public Defender from 1992 to 1998. He described the historical making of the FPDO in 1974 following the Criminal Justice Act of 1964.

The program continued with remarks from Baltimore City Orphan’s Court Judge Charles Gerald Bernstein who was the First Public Defender for the District of Maryland.  Judge Bernstein described the opening of the office and highlighted several audience members who worked along with him until 1980, including Mike Shatzow, Gerry Glass, Paul Spence, Mike Frisch, Peter Ward, Gerry Richman, John Morris, and Norman Johnson.  

To read the complete summary and view all of the event photos, please visit our event gallery.

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FBA Maryland Chapter Congratulates FBA Board Member Adam Abelson on Appointment as U.S. District Court Judge

The FBA Maryland Chapter congratulates Adam Abelson on his elevation from U.S. Magistrate Judge to District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Judge Abelson was sworn in as a Magistrate Judge on September 18, 2023. In May, President Biden nominated him to serve as a U.S. District Judge to fill the vacancy created when the Honorable James K. Bredar took senior status. The Senate confirmed Judge Abelson’s nomination on September 11, 2024, and President Biden signed his commission on September 12, 2024. Judge Abelson was sworn in as a District Judge on Monday, September 16, 2024.

Both before and after joining the Court, Judge Abelson has been an active member of the Maryland Chapter’s Board, serving in both a Board member and officer capacity since 2018. In January of this year, the Chapter had the opportunity to learn more about him during a virtual Fireside Chat. Judge Abelson spoke about how his grandmother, a first-generation American, instilled in him the importance of public service. He also praised the collegiality of the court and shared how his colleagues’ “open door” policy has been invaluable as he continued to learn and grow. 

“Throughout his tenure with our Chapter, Judge Abelson has been an invaluable asset, demonstrating leadership, integrity and a tireless commitment to advancing the legal profession,” said FBA Maryland Chapter President Maria Salacuse. “The Chapter is immensely proud of his achievements and confident that he will continue to serve with distinction and uphold the highest standards of our judiciary.”

Before joining the Court, Judge Abelson worked as a litigator with the law firm Zuckerman Spaeder LLP. He began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Catherine C. Blake, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and the Honorable Andre M. Davis, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (ret.). He graduated from Princeton University, cum laude, and the New York University School of Law, magna cum laude, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif.