Appellate

Few Maryland firms rival STSW's experience in prosecuting and defending civil and criminal appeals, and representing parties interested in outcomes of cases pending Maryland's appellate courts. Our team includes:

• A former Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Appeals Division of the Office of the Maryland Attorney General;
• The current dean of one of the newest law schools in the United States;
• A former Judge on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland; and
• Several former judicial law clerks to various state appellate judges.

Our clients' appeals span a wide range of matters, including criminal law, commercial and business law, real estate law, and landlord-tenant matters. In addition to our extensive work in Maryland's appellate courts, we have also argued and/or briefed appeals in the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth, and D.C. Circuits and the United States Supreme Court. STSW's lawyers frequently participate in noteworthy appeals that resolve novel questions of law and address important matters of public interest.

• In re Expungement Petition of Francis A., __ Md. App. __ (202_) (novel question of what constitutes good cause to unseal expungement under relatively new Maryland statute)
• Westminster Management, LLC, et al. v. Smith, et al. , __ Md. __ (202_) (amicus brief on behalf of the National Apartment Association, Maryland Multi-Housing Association, Inc., and Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington relating to the definition of rent, costs and fees in the landlord-tenant context)
• Todman, et al. v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, -- F.3d -- (4th Cir. 202_) (amicus brief on behalf of the Maryland Multi-Housing Association, Inc. regarding the constitutionality of Baltimore City's eviction chattel law)
• Jarman v. Twiddy & Co. of Duck, Inc., 889 S.E.2d 488, 491 (N.C. Ct. App. 2023) (successfully opposed challenge to trial court's denial of motion to change venue).
• Aleti, et ux. v. Metropolitan Baltimore, LLC, et al., 479 Md. 650 (2022) (amicus brief on behalf of the Maryland Multi-Housing Association, Inc. and Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington regarding the rights of tenants to bring private causes of action against a landlord for violating rental licensing requirements)
• Assanah-Carroll v. Law Offices of Edward J. Maher, P.C., et al., 480 Md. 394 (2022) (amicus brief on behalf of the Maryland Multi-Housing Association, Inc. on certification of a legal question from the United States District Court for the District of Maryland relating to whether the collection of rent is prohibited if a landlord does not possess a rental license)
• Velicky v. The CopyCat Building, LLC, 476 Md. 435 (2021) (amicus brief on behalf of the Maryland Multi-Housing Association, Inc. relating to the extension of case law regarding rental licensing requirements to tenant holding over actions)
• Norino Properties, LLC, et al. v. Joseph J. Balsamo, 253 Md. App. 226 (2021) (affirming in banc decision of Circuit Court for Baltimore County overturning dismissal entered by trial court)
• Pettiford v. Next Generation Trust Serv., 467 Md. 624 (2020) (amicus brief on behalf of the Maryland Multi-Housing Association, Inc. relating to rental licensing pleading requirements in summary ejectment actions)
• Legend Sales & Mktg., LLC v. Arena Ventures, LLC, No. 41, Sept. Term, 2020, 2021 WL 1249795, at *1 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. Apr. 5, 2021), cert. denied, 475 Md. 683 (2021) (successfully defended nearly $1.5 million judgment in favor of owner of billboards on Baltimore Arena)
• In re Google Inc. Cookie Placement Consumer Privacy Litig., -- F.3d -- (3d Cir. 2019) (remanding because district court failed to scrupulously examine relationship between cy pres settlement fund recipients and internet search providers);
• LVNV Funding LLC v. Finch, 463 Md. 586 (2019) (amicus brief on behalf of the Maryland-DC Creditors Bar Association in support of trial court decision dismissing putative class action brought against collection agencies not licensed with the state of Maryland);
• Smith v. Wakefield, LP, 462 Md. 713 (2019) (amicus brief on behalf of the Maryland Multi-Housing Association, Inc. in support of trial court decision dismissing action brought against landlord after statute of limitations had passed);
• Dent v. National Football League, 902 F.3d 1109 (9th Cir. 2018) (obtained reversal of district court's dismissal of complaint against NFL as preempted under the Labor Management Relations Act);
• Friedman v. Bloomberg L.P., 884 F.3d 83 (2d Cir. 2017) (finding that employee had stated defamation claim against online publisher);
• Nanni v. Aberdeen Marketplace, Inc., 878 F.3d 447 (4th Cir. 2017) (Americans With Disabilities Act);
• Chateau Foghorn LP v. Hosford, 455 Md. 462 (2017) (federal preemption of Maryland's breach of lease statute in federally-subsidized housing);
• Kiriakos v. Phillips, 448 Md. 440 (2016) (amicus brief on behalf of Mothers Against Drunk Driving regarding host duty to minor with regard to alcohol);
• State v. Bircher, 221 Md. App. 425 (2015) (reversal of a first-degree murder conviction);
• Thompson v. UBS Financial Servs., Inc., 443 Md. 47 (2015) (whether conversion of intangible property required conversion of the document that embodied the party's right to that property); and
• Fisher v. McCrary Crescent City, LLC, et al., 186 Md App. 86 (2010) (reversal 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)

• General Civil Litigation
• Business Litigation
• Real Estate
• Landlord / Tenant
• Appellate / Civil Appeals
• Criminal Defense
• Criminal Defense – White Collar