MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

March 2010 – January 2012, Baltimore, Maryland
Deputy Chief, Civil Litigation Division

As the Deputy Chief, I helped manage the Civil Litigation Division, which provides representation to State agencies and officials in major pieces of civil litigation in State and Federal courts. Examples of cases handled in this division in recent years include constitutional challenges to State election laws and procedures, legal attacks on the State’s minority business enterprises law, challenges to the State’s funding and supervision of the public four-year historically black universities, redistricting litigation, and the State’s handgun registration law. In addition, this Division reviews and approves all affirmative suits by the State, civil appellate briefs, and all civil litigation settlements. The Division conducts pre-argument moot courts for attorneys throughout the OAG and provides assistance and advice concerning judicial and administrative proceedings.
Maryland OAG Exceptional Service Award (Jan. 2012) : ” For his prodigious talent for, and experience in, complex civil litigation; for the critical leadership he brought to three of the most challenging and sprawling litigation matters handled by the Office of the Attorney General in recent years, involving the State’s Minority Business Enterprise program, the State’s higher education, and one of the State’s highest-priority capital projects; for becoming, within months of his arrival, one of the most respected and beloved members of the office; for his willingness to teach and mentor more junior colleagues not only in legal matters, but in life lessons learned during his distinguished career; and for his wonderful good cheer and the spirit of optimism he inspired in colleagues.” 

EDUCATION

HASTINGS COLLEGE OF THE LAW, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – May 1977

J.D., Editor-in-Chief, Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly (1976-1977)

STANFORD UNIVERSITY – June 1972
B.A., Honors in History

BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS

• District of Columbia (Admitted 1979)
• Maryland (Admitted 2010)
• California (Admitted 1977; now Inactive status)
• Court approved mediator under Maryland Rule 17 in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Howard County Circuit Courts

VENABLE, LLP

2000-2010, Washington, DC
Partner, Litigation Practice

• Successfully represented the Flavor & Extract Manufacturers Association in toxic tort/product liability litigation concerning chemical diacetyl and butter flavored popcorn in litigation around the country (California, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Montana, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and Maryland), achieved dismissals in all cases with no settlement payments by winning motions to dismiss or persuading Plaintiffs’ lawyers voluntarily to dismiss my client.
• Filed the first high-profile tax shelter lawsuit against accounting firm KPMG and an investment advisor, then successfully represented numerous wealthy individuals in litigations against and mediations with the same accounting firm, various investment advisors and law firms. Coordinated factual development with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, the IRS, and other Plaintiffs’ counsel. Recovered over $30 million for my clients.
• Handled a complex internal investigation for a large international bank’s special committee of the board of directors concerning Russian money laundering, which required two fact-gathering trips to Moscow.
• Handled confidential arbitrations concerning a terminated senior executive of a building security firm; served as one of three neutral arbitrators in a series of telecommunication arbitrations between a regional Bell operating company and a competitive local exchange carrier; served as arbitrator in systems upgrade and construction dispute between the Weather Channel and its vendor.
• Represented German company with valuable patent portfolio in federal court litigations against Japanese companies alleging licensing defaults and patent infringements.

OTHER MEDIATION, LAW RELATED AND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

• Extensive mediation training
• Experience with the Association for Conflict Resolution, International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, JAMS (Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service) and the American Arbitration Association, (Sections of Litigation, Intellectual Property, and Dispute Resolution)
• Author of numerous short, practical legal articles and commentary on litigation and ADR topics
• Former Chairman, Board of Directors – Roland Park Place, Baltimore, Maryland (a continuing care retirement community)