This honor recognizes organizations that have demonstrated enduring success, strong workplace culture, and meaningful contributions to their communities. 

Honorees must have been in business for over 25 years and are selected based on their sustained growth, commitment to excellence, and ability to shape the economic and professional landscape in Maryland.  

Additionally, The Daily Record considers the following: 

• Demonstrated success through growth in revenue or employees 

• Recognition as a best workplace because of employee support programs, showing a high level of employee morale 

• Strong and consistent community engagement 

These pillars have been the focus of our team and mainstays of our practice since day one.

“We are honored to be recognized as a Maryland Daily Record Legacy Business. For the past 30+ years, we have strived to serve the people of Baltimore and the region at large. We are excited about our continued growth to better serve our clients” —Managing Partner Steven D. Silverman   

Here at Silverman Thompson, we prioritize collaboration across practice groups, investing in professional development and work-life balance. This approach has helped us attract and retain top legal talent while delivering consistent results for clients, earning the firm 12 consecutive years of Baltimore Sun Top Workplaces honors. Over the past year alone, we have added 10 attorneys across all facets of our business and have grown our administrative and leadership teams.  

From office leadership to local law students, we are committed to cultivating talent from our Baltimore community. Our University of Baltimore School of Law Fellowship is designed to reward and retain top legal talent at the University of Baltimore (UB Law), the alma mater of nearly half of our firm.  Our fellows apply during their first year at UB Law and are awarded a two-year scholarship, a one-year fellowship stipend, and a position in the firm’s summer clerkship program. This summer, including our 2026 UB Law Fellow, we are excited to welcome seven law students to the firm as full-time clerks. 

On top of their robust legal practices, our attorneys are actively involved and hold leadership positions in local bar associations, nonprofit organizations, and are committed to the success of the greater Baltimore community. Learn more about our community involvement here. 

We pride ourselves on being committed to a high standard of integrity, obtaining meaningful results for our clients, and having a forward-looking mindset in a competitive legal landscape. We are honored to be included in this recognition and remain committed to building upon our legacy for years to come. 

Silverman Thompson is proud to announce that Partner Kerri L. Smith has been recognized by the University of Baltimore School of Law’s Baltimore Law magazine as a “Rising Star in the Baltimore Legal Community.” 

The feature highlights Kerri Smith’s exceptional professional achievements, leadership, and service within the legal community. An alumna of the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she earned her J.D. magna cum laude in 2012, Kerri has built a distinguished career in real estate law and litigation at Silverman Thompson over the last 14 years, where she was recently named partner. 

Kerri’s practice spans a wide range of commercial and residential real estate matters, with a particular focus on landlord-tenant law. Known for her dynamic litigation style, she regularly appears in courts at all levels, combining strategic advocacy with a deep understanding of evolving legal frameworks. 

Beyond her legal practice, Ms. Smith has earned widespread recognition for her leadership and service. She has been named one of the American Bar Association’s Top 40 Young Lawyers, received the Maryland Bar Foundation’s Edward F. Shea, Jr. Professionalism Award, and currently serves as President of the Baltimore Bar Foundation. She was also recently appointed by the governor to the Board of Trustees for the Office of the Public Defender. 

Colleagues and peers consistently praise Ms. Smith’s energy, dedication, and collaborative spirit. As noted in the profile, she is widely regarded as a driven leader who brings both professionalism and enthusiasm to every endeavor. 

Kerri also leads the firm’s community service initiatives and its Women’s Legal Network, fostering mentorship, professional growth, and meaningful engagement both within and beyond the firm. 

It’s an honor to be featured by the University of Baltimore School of Law and reflect on my journey from UB to Silverman Thompson, and the people and experiences that have guided me along the way.  – Kerri Smith

We congratulate Kerri on this well-deserved recognition from her alma mater, and are proud to celebrate her continued impact on our firm and the broader Baltimore legal community. 

This annual guide is compiled through peer nominations and in-depth research, recognizing firms that demonstrate consistent excellence in family law representation. 

This recognition reflects the firm’s long-standing reputation for handling complex and emotionally sensitive family law matters, including divorce, custody and visitation disputes, support issues, and high-asset marital property cases. 

In addition to the firm’s recognition, Monica L. Scherer was named a Leading Family, Matrimonial & Divorce Lawyer in Baltimore for 2026. 

Ms. Scherer leads Silverman Thompson’s family law practice and brings decades of experience to representing clients in all aspects of family law. Her practice includes divorce, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, marital property division, paternity, adoption, and post-judgment modifications. 

Known for her strategic insight and compassionate approach, Ms. Scherer works closely with clients to navigate some of life’s most difficult transitions while protecting their legal rights and long-term interests. 

Under Ms. Scherer’s leadership, the firm’s family law team is recognized for its ability to balance strong courtroom advocacy with practical problem-solving. Whether a matter requires litigation, negotiation, mediation, or collaborative law, the team tailors its approach to each client’s unique circumstances. 

Her team’s practice is grounded in the firm’s core values of professionalism, responsiveness, and client-focused advocacy — ensuring that every client receives clear guidance, trusted counsel, and strong representation at every stage of the process. 

Congratulations to the entire family law team on this well-deserved recognition and remains committed to serving Maryland families with integrity and excellence. 

Additionally, we’re excited to announce we have created a new role of firm administrator and hired Lisa Berman, J.D. to lead our staff and operations initiatives. Lisa brings to the firm almost 20 years of operations leadership, including at the Department of Justice.  

“I am so proud of our team for a twelfth year of Top Workplaces recognition. Bringing Lisa Berman onto the team is another testament to our commitment to supporting our staff with strong resources and experienced leadership. We are excited for what the next year holds for our team as we continuously work to serve our clients.” -Managing Partner Steven D. Silverman   

We want to thank our incredible attorneys and staff for this award. We truly couldn’t ask for a better team. 

*Survey is administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. For more information or to nominate an organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.   

Ilona’s path to the legal profession was anything but conventional. Born in Ukraine, she immigrated to the United States at age 15 and originally pursued a career in psychology. Encouraged by her husband to consider law school, she overcame initial doubts about her English skills and earned her J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Today, she credits those early challenges with shaping her resilience and deep appreciation for the legal profession. 

In addition to her litigation practice, Ilona Shparaga is actively engaged in Maryland’s legal community. She serves as a Member At-Large of the Maryland State Bar Association’s (MSBA) Business Law Section, where she helped pilot the first pro bono Legal Clinic for Small Businesses. The clinic offers free legal advice to entrepreneurs who may not yet have the resources to retain counsel, supporting economic growth and strengthening local communities. 

MSBA recently profiled Ilona in its Member Spotlight feature of the Maryland Bar Journal, highlighting her journey, her values, and her vision for the future of business law. We are proud to share the full article below. 

Read the Full Article Below:

Finding Her Calling

MSBA Member Spotlight: Ilona Shparaga

Seven years into a thriving legal career, Ilona Shparaga, Counsel at Silverman Thompson, has carved a niche in the demanding field of Commercial Litigation in Maryland. While her journey to becoming a business litigation attorney was anything but traditional, her analytical skills and drive enabled her to excel as an advocate for her clients. MSBA recently interviewed Shparaga to delve deeper into the guiding principles of her practice and her vision for the future of law. 

Why did you enter the legal profession? 

As I like to joke, I didn’t choose the legal profession, the legal profession chose me. I was born in Ukraine and moved to the United States when I was 15. I chose psychology as my undergraduate degree, and planned to vigorously pursue it until I earned a doctoral degree in psychology. Sometime during my last year of undergraduate studies, my now husband asked me if I ever thought about law school. I dismissed that notion, convinced that my English was not strong enough to become a lawyer in the United States. However, with the unwavering encouragement and support of my husband, I mustered enough courage to take the LSAT summer of 2014. As I was waiting for the results, I applied to the University of Baltimore School of Law, which had rolling admission. Miraculously, they accepted me, and the rest is history. Truthfully, the first year of law school and attempting to navigate the U.S. legal system, terminology, and processes, was difficult and overwhelming. However, with each year and each internship I took, I started to enjoy and appreciate the profession, and I can truly say that I found my passion in it. 

What is the best piece of advice you have received from someone in the legal profession? 

Regardless of the task you are working on, always try to dig deeper and anticipate the follow-up questions that people might ask you. It is never enough to do the assignment you were given. In the legal profession, slight deviation from a specific pattern can produce a different outcome. Therefore, it is important to dissect each problem into smaller pieces, analyze them individually, and anticipate to fill the gaps where people might have questions. 

Tell us a little about your biggest project or passion project related to your professional career right now. 

I am a Member At-Large of the MSBA Business Law Section. Last year, under the leadership of David Cahn and Christine Dixon, we piloted the first pro bono Legal Clinic for Small Businesses. Once a month, attorneys volunteer one hour per client to provide free legal advice to small businesses in Maryland. The issues our attorneys encountered in the past involved: entity formation and management; securities and capital raising; business acquisition; contract review; real estate leasing; intellectual property protection and licensing; and government licensing and permitting. In my legal practice, we receive daily inquiries from prospective entrepreneurs who desire to set up their business practices properly; however, they still lack the capital to afford to hire an attorney. This clinic allows us to bridge that gap by offering proactive support to entrepreneurs who are navigating complex legal terrain with limited resources. It’s a way fo me to use my expertise to help build stronger, more resilient businesses, often run by individuals who pour everything into their ventures. Contributing to their success not only prevents future litigation but also fosters economic growth and equity in our local communities. 

How do you stay informed and educate yourself about the latest shifts in legislation and legal precedents? 

I make it a priority to stay current on legal developments, whether it’s changes in procedural rules, emerging case law, or regulatory shifts, through regular continuing legal education, legal publications, and active participation in professional associations. Being a part of MSBA in general, and the Business Law Section within, I have unfettered access to CLEs and the brightest legal minds in Maryland. MSBA continuously provides relevant and timely industry webinars and legal conferences, where I can engage with thought leaders and fellow attorneys about significant legal developments. Staying proactive in these ways ensures I am prepared to advise clients on the most current and relevant legal issues. 

Describe a memorable MSBA event or product that has had an impact on you personally or professionally. 

Attending the Advanced Business Law Institute (ABLI), organized by the MSBA’s Business Law Section, opened a new world for me within the business law arena and introduced me to some of the exceptional legal practitioners in the field. For two consecutive years, I participated in the ABLI as an attendee and gained invaluable insights into emerging issues in business law. I was especially inspired to learn that some attorneys played an active role in planning such a high-caliber program. 

$7.5 Million Settlement in Catastrophic Motorcycle Collision 

In June 2025, Silverman Thompson successfully resolved a catastrophic motorcycle collision case for $7,500,000. 

The case involved a motorcyclist who suffered life-altering injuries after being struck by a vehicle. The magnitude of the settlement reflects the severity of the client’s condition and the need for lifelong care, services, and equipment. The resolution ensures that the client will have access to the support and care he needs to manage the devastating aftermath of the collision. 

$1.75 Million Settlement in Tragic Construction Site Fatality 

Silverman Thompson also obtained justice for the grieving family of a 22-year-old construction worker who was tragically killed on the job. 

On July 12, 2023, the worker was part of a paving crew on Falls Road in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore City. While placing a temporary line on a newly paved portion of the roadway, he was run over by a 9,000-pound compacting asphalt roller. The heavy equipment, operated by an untrained and unqualified coworker, backed over him starting at his feet and continuing until his skull was crushed. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Following a detailed investigation, Silverman Thompson discovered multiple safety violations. The roller lacked a functioning backup alarm, horn, visual strobe, and an owner’s manual. The equipment had been rented to the victim’s employer, who failed to follow basic safety standards. 

The case was filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City and litigated for over a year. On behalf of the victim’s parents, the firm brought claims for wrongful death and a survival action based on the young man’s conscious pain and suffering. The matter was resolved during private mediation three months before trial for $1,750,000: a fantastic result given Maryland’s unfair cap on non-economic damages. 

News coverage of the incident: 

• WBAL 
• WMAR2 News 
• The Baltimore Banner 
• Fox Baltimore 
• WBAL-TV

About Our Personal Injury Team 

Silverman Thompson’s personal injury team is known for handling the most serious injury and wrongful death cases throughout Maryland and the mid-Atlantic. Our attorneys bring decades of litigation experience, an aggressive approach to discovery and trial, and a compassionate dedication to helping families rebuild after tragedy. 

If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury due to another’s negligence, visit our personal injury practice page or contact us today for a confidential consultation. 

Read the full Baltimore Sun article here

“Being continuously recognized as a top workplace by The Baltimore Sun is a testament to our commitment to putting both our clients and our team first. At Silverman Thompson, we prioritize creating an environment where collaboration, respect, and professional growth thrive. We believe that a supportive and engaging workplace empowers our team to deliver their best work and uphold the values that define our firm.” -Managing Partner Steven D. Silverman 

At Silverman Thompson, we pride ourselves on our collaborative and team-oriented workplace and boast benefits including:  

• 100% paid health benefits with options for dental and vision supplements  
• Employer-paid 401k and profit sharing 
• Flexible, remote, and hybrid working for qualified positions  
• Newly renovated downtown Baltimore offices, including an in-house fitness center  
• Free Inner Harbor parking   
• Monthly team-building activities, from Orioles games to waterfront happy hours and intramural sports 

We want to thank our incredible attorneys and staff for this award. We truly couldn’t ask for a better team. 

Everyone works great together to form this awesome team. I believe everyone at the firm has a shared commitment to bring our clients the best legal representation, all sharing the same purpose, values, and trust.” -Office Manager Shelby Emich

Interested in working at Silverman Thompson? 

*Survey is administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. For more information or to nominate an organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com. 

Read the Baltimore Banner’s reporting here

Jenkins’ nightmare started in May 2022, when three ATF agents dropped in to interview him – unexpectedly and while surreptitiously recording the hour-long conversation with the Sheriff. The agents demanded to see the Sheriff who was out of the office at the time. They were rude and unprofessional towards the staff of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff returned to the office, and while under no obligation to speak with the agents, answered all their questions. He had nothing to hide and had no idea why the agents were there. 

The agents explained that the ATF was investigating smalltown police chiefs and sheriffs across the country who were taking kick-backs from gun dealers in return for letters on law enforcement letterhead requesting demonstrations of highly restricted machine guns, permitting the gun dealers to be able to obtain the guns and earn income by renting them to members of the public to be used on the dealer’s gun range. The crime was that the law enforcement agencies never had any real interest in purchasing machine guns but wrote the letters in return for cash ($1,000 -2,000 per letter), and for a percentage of the rental income of each machine gun. To convict a Sheriff or police chief of this crime, the government had to prove that the chief knew writing the letters was a crime. In those cases across the country, when kickbacks and percentages are being paid, the required proof of criminal intent is satisfied. 

In the year following the interview prior to the return of the indictment in April 2023, ATF subpoenaed the sheriff’s emails, his campaign records, and records from the Frederick County government. There was no evidence of any quid pro quo flowing to Sheriff Jenkins and no evidence that the Sheriff had any inkling that providing such a letter to a local business was running afoul of the law.  In fact, over the years, Jenkins had provided similar letters to other gun dealers in addition to Robert Krop, as early as 2013.  In each instance, the ATF approved the letters.  The ATF also issued written guidance to gun dealers across the United States advising them what the requirements were for these letters from law enforcement. ATF issued this guidance in 1999, 2002, 2006, and in 2023.  None of this information was ever disseminated by the ATF to law enforcement agencies. Between no guidance from the ATF, and ATFs repeated approval of the letters that Jenkins did write, there was no reason for him to know that there was anything wrong, improper or illegal in doing so.  There was never any evidence that Sheriff Jenkins acted with the intent to violate the law, nor that he and Robert Krop were in a criminal conspiracy together.

After the May 2022 interview by the three ATF agents by Jenkins, his counsel, Silverman Thompson attorney Andrea Smith, offered to bring him in to speak with the prosecutors. They declined to speak with Jenkins. 

Smith, formerly a prosecutor for 36 years (26 of those years in the very same U.S. Attorney’s Office investigating Sheriff Jenkins), knew at that moment, that the prosecutors and agents had already made up their minds that the Sheriff was guilty. They could not have been more wrong. The emotional and financial burden on the Sheriff has been overwhelming. Sheriff Jenkins maintained his innocence from the moment he was made aware of this investigation. Two and a half years later, he was finally vindicated. 

At a press conference at the Federick Law Enforcement Center at 3 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Ms. Smith said,

Sheriff Jenkins offered to come speak with the prosecutors. They were not interested. I have never heard of a prosecutor that did not jump at the chance to speak to someone they were investigating.  It told me they had already made up their minds. As a prosecutor, it’s not about winning. It’s about getting to the truth. You don’t decide the outcome, and then go looking for the evidence to support it. You follow the evidence wherever it takes you. That is what justice looks like.

Contact Andrea Smith and the Silverman Thompson Criminal Defense Team

Baltimore criminal defense attorney Andrea Smith served as a Baltimore City Prosecutor from 1981 to 1990, and at the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland from 1990 to 2016, when she retired.  Most of her career involved investigating and prosecuting violent drug gangs. A detailed description can be found here.  She joined Silverman Thompson in January 2017 and has spent the last eight years defending criminal matters.

To learn more about the criminal defense team at Silverman Thompson, call us toll-free at 800-385-2243 for a free consultation, or contact Andrea Smith at asmith@silvermanthompson.com or Andrew C. White at awhite@silvermanthompson.com.

Silverman Thompson’s Awards | Best Law Firms – United States (2025 Edition):

Baltimore Metropolitan Tier 1

• Criminal Defense: General Practice
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• Family Law
• Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

Baltimore Metropolitan Tier 2

• Commercial Litigation
• Insurance Law
• Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
• Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs

Baltimore Metropolitan Tier 3

• DUI / DWI Defense

Additionally, this year, over one-third of Silverman Thompson’s attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America^®.

This recognition is entirely based on nomination and peer-reviewed voting, meaning our 17 recognized lawyers are known amongst their peers for being the best private practice lawyers in the region. 

“For over 40 years, Best Lawyers has been esteemed by both legal professionals and the public as a premier benchmark for legal integrity and distinction in the United States. Consequently, being recognized by Best Lawyers is a testament to exceptional practice.” – Phillip Greer, CEO, Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers: The Best Lawyers in America®

We are pleased to announce that 13 lawyers have been included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. These attorneys traditionally have over 10 years of experience and have exhibited legal excellence in their specific practice areas: 

• Jodie Buchman: Commercial Litigation 

• Richard Karceski: Criminal Defense: General Practice, DUI / DWI Defense 

• Ned Parent: Litigation – Insurance 

• Monica Scherer: Family Law 

• Steve Silverman: Civil Rights Law, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs 

• Laura Simmons: Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs 

• Bill Sinclair: Criminal Defense: White-Collar 

• Andrew Slutkin: Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs 

• Creston Smith: Criminal Defense: General Practice 

• Avery Strachan: Litigation – Real Estate 

• Brian Thompson: Criminal Defense: General Practice 

• Andrew C. White: Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar 

• Ramsay Whitworth: Insurance Law 

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®

Best Lawyers awards the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® designation using its same peer-reviewed methodology to highlight excellent attorneys 5-9 years into their private practice. 

We are pleased to announce that four Silverman Thompson lawyers are recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®:  

• Mark Edelson: Appellate Practice, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Real Estate Law 

• Mike Levin: Commercial Litigation 

• Ethan Nochumowitz: Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs 

• Kerri Smith: Administrative / Regulatory Law, Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law 

Explore our Best Lawyers profile here. 

The subject had a lengthy criminal history involving serious, violent offenses, including past convictions for armed robbery and armed carjacking. When arrested, the subject advised the arresting officer that he had been shot in the hand and arm a few weeks prior and was scheduled to have surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital later that day. The police agreed to transport him to the hospital and, once at Hopkins, the subject managed to distract the officer who was guarding him, break the steel chain on his leg shackles, and escape from custody.

Read the Baltimore Banner’s reporting here

Read the Baltimore Sun’s reporting here

Following a multi-jurisdictional manhunt, the subject was apprehended a short time later by the Baltimore City Police. Our client was one of the first officers to arrive on the scene and took custody of the subject. Soon, several other County Officers arrived and joined the multiple City Officers who remained on the scene. Our client remained the ranking County Officer, but there was a City Sergeant on the scene making him the ranking officer overall. The subject was at first cooperative but as our client attempted to place him into the back of a county police cruiser, that was running with the air conditioning on, the subject blocked the door from being shut with his knee. Our client repeatedly warned the subject not to resist and physically pushed his knee out of the path of the door.

Within 45 seconds of being in the back of the car, the subject began screaming that he couldn’t breathe and banging on the window. As indicated, the car was running and the temperature that day was 68 degrees Fahrenheit, so every officer on the scene knew that the subject was lying about not being able to breathe. 

At this point, our client opened the door and, using very stern language and tone, warned the subject again, that if he continued to kick the window and door, he was going to spray him with OC spray, commonly referred to as “pepper spray.” Our client then attempted to close the door three separate times and each time the subject blocked the door with his elbow, preventing it from closing. At this point, our client announced that he was going to spray the subject to warn the other officers and deployed the spray into the subject’s face in a manner consistent with his training. This action allowed officers to secure the subject in the vehicle for transport. However, a short time later, the subject reacted by kicking the door and window even harder. It would obviously not be safe to transport the subject while he was engaging in this behavior, so they removed him from the vehicle to place him in the “recovery position”—which consists of lying the subject on the ground on his side. Officers are trained to place subjects who have been sprayed in this position to help them recover from the effects of the spray.

The subject again refused to cooperate, first dropping limply to his knees and then resisting attempts to be placed in the recovery position. Our client, acting in real time, grabbed him by his hair to control him and force his compliance. He held his hair for exactly 28 seconds and released it immediately upon the subject relaxing his body and submitting to his control. The subject was not injured in any way—a fact that he confirmed on video once he was interviewed back at the station. 

Despite the lack of injury, our client was indicted by the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office of violating the newly enacted Use of Force Statute, as well as Second Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment, and Misconduct in Office. Three other Baltimore County Officers were also indicted for failing to intervene, which is a requirement under the new statute if the officer perceives that excessive force is being utilized by another officer. Interestingly, no Baltimore City Officers were charged, even though many remained on the scene throughout our client’s interaction with the subject. 

The trial lasted seven days, after which the Court acquitted our client of all charges, concluding correctly that the officer had not used excessive force in dealing with a violent criminal who had already escaped custody once. 

In Mr. Thompson’s closing argument, he argued that not only had the Corporal not violated the law, but that this was a “textbook application of force” because he managed to subdue a violently resisting subject and get him into custody without injuring him in any way.

For more information or a free consultation, call Brian Thompson at 410-659-9930.

Empowering Women winners will be honored at The Daily Record’s Women’s Leadership Summit on October 22 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. 

Read The Daily Record’s announcement here.

The Empowering Women Awards recognize companies and organizations that show a strong commitment to supporting and elevating women in Maryland. Honorees demonstrate a track record of hiring and promoting women; support programs to mentor women in their organizations and address inequalities; show a strong record of women on the company’s board or in C-suite positions; and establish DEI programs and philanthropic efforts to support women. Judges reviewed each nominee’s application and letters of reference and evaluated the information relative to the company’s resources.  

“The 2024 Empowering Women honorees invest in, elevate and support women leaders throughout the state. They demonstrate tangible, innovative efforts to assist women in taking on new opportunities in business and in the community” -Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/The Daily Record

Silverman Thompson is committed to and has a proven track record of empowering women in the legal field. The Firm owes so much of its success over the past 20+ years to its women partners, associates, and staff. 

“Our firm’s leadership encourages women’s promotion and professional development by providing mentorship, resources, and opportunities for growth. The pathways for women to advance at Silverman Thompson are clear and well-supported, ensuring that talented female attorneys have every opportunity to succeed. This commitment is not just a policy but a core value that permeates every aspect of our firm” –Avery Strachan, partner and head of the Firm’s real estate practice group 

By the Numbers

One-third of attorneys at the Firm are women, with this level of representation being consistent across the associate, partner, and executive committee levels. 

Two out of six members of the executive committee are women, and two out of five departments are led by women. 

In 2022 and 2023, Silverman Thompson awarded two-year scholarships and a one-year living stipend to two top-performing women at the University of Baltimore School of Law to foster the future of leadership in the Baltimore legal community. 

Recent awards and recognition earned by women at Silverman Thompson: 

• Four 2025 Best Lawyers in America and one Ones to Watch  
• Two 2025 Super Lawyers and three Rising Stars 
• All women attorneys at the Firm are involved in local bar associations and/or hold non-profit leadership positions 

Other notable awards received by female attorneys at the Firm include: 

• Maryland’s Top 100 Women  
• Edward F. Shea, Jr. Professionalism Award 
• The Daily Record’s Power Lists 
• University of Maryland Francis King Carey Law School Alumni Board 

Top leadership positions held by women include:  

• Head of the family law practice group 
• Head of the real estate practice group 
• Office manager 
• Controller 
• Head of the law clerk program 
• Chief paralegal 

2024 Empowering Women Winners 

Associated Black Charities 

Baker Donelson 

Bank of America 

Bithgroup Technologies Inc. 

Bookminders 

Comptroller of Maryland 

Crittenton Services of Greater Washington 

Curio Wellness 

Department Of Juvenile Services 

Dwyer Workforce Development 

EcoMap Technologies 

F.N.B. Corporation 

Fulton Bank 

GBMC HealthCare 

Global Refuge 

Goodell DeVries 

Gordon Feinblatt LLC 

Harford Mutual Insurance Group 

HealthCare Access Maryland (HCAM) 

Indigo Physiotherapy 

Junior League of Baltimore 

Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd. 

Marian House 

Maryland Food Bank 

Maryland Office of the Attorney General 

McDaniel College 

MD Energy Advisors 

Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group 

Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures  

PENN Entertainment/Hollywood Casino Perryville 

Pessin Katz Law, P.A. (PK Law) 

SAGE Dining Services® 

Silverman Thompson  

Stein Sperling Bennett De Jong Driscoll PC 

Towson University 

United Way of Central Maryland 

Windsor Group LLC 

The Y in Central Maryland 

About The Daily Record  

The Daily Record is a digital first, daily news media company focused on law, government and business at TheDailyRecord.com. The Daily Record publishes a print edition on weekdays in addition to more than 25 special products a year, including Power Lists, in a variety of industries. The Daily Record hosts 13 annual events to recognize excellence and provide leadership opportunities. These events include Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Most Admired CEOs, Influential Marylanders, Health Care Heroes, Icon Honors and more. The Daily Record’s Digital Marketing Solutions helps customers with social media, search engine marketing and optimization, retargeting and email marketing among other services. The Daily Record, with 136 years of editorial excellence, is part of BridgeTower Media, the leading provider of B2B information, research, events and marketing solutions across more than 25 U.S. markets and industries. 

July 1, 2024 – On Friday, June 21, 2024, Under Armour announced that, subject to court approval, it had settled a pending securities class action in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The settlement closes a case originally filed in February 2017, which had twice been dismissed with prejudice before finding new life after it was reported in the fall of 2019 that the Securities & Exchange Commission and United States Department of Justice had fined Under Armour for the conduct alleged here. That announcement proved the tipping point in the case, as thereafter, Judge Richard Bennett allowed the case to return from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (where the dismissal had been on appeal), reversed himself on the dismissal, and ultimately certified a class and denied summary judgment and Under Armour’s motions in limine. The case was scheduled to begin a two-plus-week jury trial on July 15, 2024.  

Read the Baltimore Banner’s reporting on the matter here. 

            At its heart, this case was about the defendants’ actions in 2015 and 2016.  Through the third quarter of 2016, Under Armour had experienced 26 consecutive quarters of growth, a point that Under Armour founder, Kevin Plank, proudly reiterated as often as he could to investors. Indeed, according to Plank, that feat was shared by only one other company in the S&P 500 and he touted it to instill confidence that, notwithstanding the critical pressure that Under Armour faced from competitors like Nike and Adidas, it was all but assured of continued growth. 

            In reality, Under Armour began to experience a severe decline in its apparel business in or around 2015, as customer demand for the company’s core products began to wane and Under Armour failed to keep up with then-current “athleisure” trends. Faced with these and other issues, the Company abandoned its fundamental sales philosophy of competing on brand strength over price and resorted to lowering sales prices, offering promotions, and liquidating excess inventory at steep discounts.  All of this occurred at a time when its chief rival, Nike, was steadily increasing average sales prices. 

            To preserve Under Armour’s carefully cultivated image of a fast-growing, cutting-edge sports brand on par with the Nikes of the world, it is alleged that Under Armour made false representations to the market about the strength of its growth and customer demand while downplaying or concealing the company’s ballooning inventory, liquidations, and gross margin compression. Coupled with suspicious stock sales by Plank himself and the resignation of its chief financial officer only 13 months after he took the job, the market finally began to take notice in 2017 of what had been occurring, at which time, Robbins Geller and Silverman Thompson filed their initial complaint in this matter.     

            A hearing on preliminary approval of the settlement will occur on July 22, 2024.  If the court grants preliminary approval, it is expected that a 120 day period will follow during which objections, if any, could be lodged to the settlement.  It is further expected that Judge Bennett will hold a final conference in November regarding settlement approval.  If approved, this may be the first case in American history to have been dismissed twice with prejudice only to later settle for close to half a billion dollars. 

            Silverman Thompson was engaged by Robbins Geller to serve as local counsel in this matter. Silverman Thompson lawyers have prosecuted and defended class actions in Maryland’s state and federal courts and across the country.  To learn more about Silverman Thompson generally, or its class action practice specifically, please contact Bill Sinclair, who served as the primary Silverman Thompson lawyer handling this matter. He can be reached directly at 410.385.9116.

We’re proud to see Managing Partner Steve Silverman on the cover of Maryland Super Lawyers 2024.

Steve Silverman, the Firm’s founder and managing partner, is renowned for his extensive litigation expertise in both civil and criminal cases. With a career spanning over three decades, Silverman has tackled high-profile cases involving police corruption, political scandals, and major sports litigation, such as concussion lawsuits against the NHL and NFL. His strategic acumen and commitment to justice have earned him accolades from clients and peers alike. Under his leadership, our Firm has grown to over 40 attorneys, solidifying our reputation as a premier legal institution in Maryland.

“Clients, peers and judges say he’s a straight shooter who puts people first and has a knack for trial work. In fact, Silverman hasn’t lost a criminal jury trial since 1994. But even after decades on the job, he’s still hungry for the challenge of finding the right strategy for each new case.

‘I’ve been a lawyer for 32 years,’ he says, ‘and I’ve still got a lot of game left. But I’m shocked that I still see things every day that I’ve never seen before. And that’s what kind of keeps you going.’”

Read the full article here: The Wolf of Smalltimore

Interested in working with Silverman Thompson? Explore careers here.

Silverman Thompson Slutkin & White

Local employees: 52

Location: Baltimore

Top local executive: Steven D. Silverman, managing partner

What they do: Litigation firm covering a broad array of practice areas

Office policy: Mix of in-person and hybrid

What steps has your company taken to improve retention and/or hiring? Our firm continues to provide a rewarding, successful culture with a great work-life balance for our most valuable resource, our employees.

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