Steven D. Silverman
Managing Partner ssilverman@mdattorney.com
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Phone: 410.385.2225
Fax: 410.547.2432
201 N. Charles Street
Suite 2600
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Education
J.D., University of Baltimore School of Law, 1991
B.A., University of Richmond, 1988
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
State of Maryland, 1991United States District Court, District of Maryland, 1994
District of Columbia, 2002
Focus
Mr. Silverman is the managing partner of the firm with nearly twenty years of litigation experience in federal and state courts throughout the region. Mr. Silverman is recognized as one of the most able trial lawyers in Maryland, and has enjoyed an extraordinary record of success. His principal areas of practice include all types of complex civil litigation and appeals, as well as high-profile criminal litigation. He has been recognized as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in Maryland for 4 consecutive years by the The American Association of Trial Lawyers.
Since 1991, Mr. Silverman has represented thousands of criminal clients in courts throughout Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region. He has not lost a jury trial in any criminal matter in over a decade.
Although he established himself as a criminal defense attorney early in his career, Mr. Silverman has also served as lead counsel in scores of complex civil jury trials in state and federal courts. His skills and success in the civil courtroom led to him being named a Maryland "Super Lawyer" for civil litigation since 1997.
Since 1991, Mr. Silverman has represented thousands of criminal clients in courts throughout Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region. He has not lost a jury trial in any criminal matter in over a decade.
Although he established himself as a criminal defense attorney early in his career, Mr. Silverman has also served as lead counsel in scores of complex civil jury trials in state and federal courts. His skills and success in the civil courtroom led to him being named a Maryland "Super Lawyer" for civil litigation since 1997.
Professional History
After a clerkship with the Civil Litigation Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Mr. Silverman was appointed to the position of Assistant Public Defender, Felony Narcotics Division, Baltimore City, Maryland from 1991-1994. As a Public Defender, Mr. Silverman came out of the gate at age 24 by winning acquittals in his first six criminal jury trials. He continued to hone his trial skills by appearing in court on a daily basis for nearly four years.
Since entering private practice in 1995, Mr. Silverman's practice covers what he describes as "a never ending mix of interesting clients and challenging cases". The breadth of his practice includes cases of local, national and international importance. Some cases of note early in his career include:
Recently, Mr. Silverman has taken on several significant matters including:
In 2005 Mr. Silverman was appointed to a four year term by Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. and confirmed by the Maryland Senate to one of three statewide attorney positions on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities. The Commission is empowered to investigate complaints, conduct hearings and impose sanctions against Maryland judges. He was recently re-appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley to a second four-year term as a member of that Commission.
In 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 Mr. Silverman was named by his peers as a Maryland Super Lawyer which recognizes the top 5% of lawyers in the state. Also in 2006, Mr. Silverman was appointed to serve as a member of Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler's Transition Committee. In 2009 he was selected as a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, which recognizes less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.
Since entering private practice in 1995, Mr. Silverman's practice covers what he describes as "a never ending mix of interesting clients and challenging cases". The breadth of his practice includes cases of local, national and international importance. Some cases of note early in his career include:
- The successful representation of victims of the 1995 catastrophic Amtrak/ CSX collision in Chase, Maryland.
- Co-counsel in a federal civil rights action by a police sergeant which led to the fall of the Baltimore City Police Commissioner in 1998.
- Successful representation of former undisputed World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Riddick Bowe in numerous civil and criminal matters spanning a decade including a 2003 acquittal in Prince George's County, Maryland and a federal lawsuit against his former manger, Rock Newman.
- Successful representation of an ex-NBA basketball player and his wife in a federal criminal fraud investigation and prosecution in U.S. District Court, Greenbelt, Maryland. All fraud charges dismissed.
- Successfully represented multiple clients in regulatory actions by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in United States District Court in Washington, D.C.
- Successfully represented clients in regulatory actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
- Represented several former US Olympic boxing medalists in Federal Court regarding promotional and management contract disputes.
- Successfully represented a number of NFL and MLB players in various matters.
- Successful defense of a state campaign treasurer on theft and election law charges. The case was dismissed on the fourth day of trial by the State Prosecutor due to “inconsistent” testimony elicited by Mr. Silverman’s cross-examination of a Baltimore City Councilwoman.
- Representation of numerous lawyers, accountants, doctors and police officers in regards to federal criminal indictments and investigations.
- In addition, Mr. Silverman obtained several multi-million dollar civil judgments on behalf of his clients against some of the world's largest corporations and insurance companies prior to the age of 35.
Recently, Mr. Silverman has taken on several significant matters including:
- Lead appellate counsel in a high-profile case resulting in the reversal on appeal of one of the largest verdicts in Maryland history-a $33.6 million judgment by a Circuit Court judge in favor of retired Raven Michael McCrary against two former business associates (2009).
- Lead trial counsel in a successful multi-million dollar wrongful death claim by the family of a Maryland juvenile killed by officials at the Bowling Brook Preparatory School in Carroll County, Maryland. The case drew significant national interest and caused significant change in the Maryland Juvenile Justice system (2009).
- Successful representation of former One Mind Ministries cult member Ria Ramkissoon by obtaining a plea of probation in a case where Ms. Ramkissoon was charged with 1st degree murder for the alleged starvation of her one-year-old son. This case garnered significant media attention in the United States and abroad. It is believed to be the first case in the history of American jurisprudence to include a "resurrection clause" in the plea agreement (2010).
- Successful representation of a police brutality victim in a high-profile federal civil rights lawsuit involving a public cavity search. The case was filed in the US District Court for the District of Maryland and proven through DNA evidence and prior police misconduct (2010).
- Successful representation in court resulting in the dismissal of all adult criminal charges, including attempted first-degree murder, of a 16 year old Baltimore boy accused of a racially motivated beating of an elderly fisherman. The case drew significant media coverage and was was particularly challenging due to the widespread bias against Mr. Silverman's client (2010).
- Representation of a Baltimore family in a widely publicized wrongful death action involving a family member who was bicycling and tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident in. Cycling groups throughout the state have rallied behind the family and advocated cyclist's rights (2010).
In 2005 Mr. Silverman was appointed to a four year term by Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. and confirmed by the Maryland Senate to one of three statewide attorney positions on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities. The Commission is empowered to investigate complaints, conduct hearings and impose sanctions against Maryland judges. He was recently re-appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley to a second four-year term as a member of that Commission.
In 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 Mr. Silverman was named by his peers as a Maryland Super Lawyer which recognizes the top 5% of lawyers in the state. Also in 2006, Mr. Silverman was appointed to serve as a member of Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler's Transition Committee. In 2009 he was selected as a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, which recognizes less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.
Government Service
- 1991-1994 Assistant Public Defender, Baltimore City, Felony Narcotics Division
- 1989-1991 Law Clerk, Office of the Attorney General, Civil Litigation Division
Honors, Awards and Appointments
- 2005-2010 Appointed to Commission on Judicial Disabilities (4 year term), Re-Appointed in 2009 (4 year term)
- 2007-2010 Named as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the State of Maryland by the American Association of Trial Lawyers
- 2009 Fellow, the Litigation Counsel of America
- 2007-2010 Selected by Law and Politics as a Maryland Super Lawyer
- 2006 Appointed to serve on Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler’s
Transition Committee - 2000-2010 Selected to Who’s Who of American Law
- 1997-2010 Selected to Million Dollar Advocate’s Forum
Professional Associations
Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association
Maryland Trial Lawyers Association
Maryland State Bar Association
Bar Association for Baltimore City
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