It has been a busy quarter for the firm since our last update. The firm has been active in state and federal trial courts throughout Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic.

Some highlights include:

Partners Kurt Nachtman and Chris Mincher were busy successfully representing Hall of Famer David “Big Papi” Ortiz in trial in a commercial business dispute in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Partners Andrew Slutkin and Todd Hesel recently filed suit on behalf of the family of a deaf man strangled to death in a Baltimore jail in 2022 in a lawsuit accusing Maryland corrections officials of negligence. They emphasize Javarick Gantt’s disability left him unable to signal for help, and that he was wrongly placed with a volatile, violent cellmate awaiting trial for a separate murder. The family seeks over $50 million in damages. Read the national coverage here.

Our criminal defense team has won acquittals in jury trials in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, and Baltimore County and has not lost a jury trial in recent memory. Learn more about our state and federal criminal defense practice areas.

Partner Ramsay Whitworth, co-leader of the firm’s business law department, has been officially appointed as the city attorney for the City of Westminster, Maryland. Ramsay will work to support the City of Westminster while maintaining his robust business litigation practice at Silverman Thompson, where he serves clients across civil matters.

Please reach out to our team if you have any questions about the cases featured in this newsletter. Thank you for being part of our journey!

Steven D. Silverman, Managing Partner

Welcoming Our Newest Team Members

This spring, we had the exciting opportunity to bring on a group of new attorneys, staff members, and law clerks, and we can’t wait to introduce some of them to you.

We’re proud to announce the expansion of Monica Scherer’s family law practice with the addition of two experienced attorneys, Nathan Volke and Rian Wieser. This exciting development reinforces the firm’s continued commitment to providing exceptional representation to individuals and families navigating sensitive and complex legal matters. Read More Here

We’re excited to share that Christopher Mincher has returned to Silverman Thompson as a partner, bringing with him more than six years in the Office of Legal Counsel for Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, most recently leading the office as chief legal counsel. Read More Here

Justin A. Batoff of Batoff Associates, P.A. has become affiliated with our firm, bringing deep experience advising startups, emerging companies, and established private and family-owned businesses on a broad range of transactional and corporate matters. This addition marks Silverman Thompson’s expansion into transactional and corporate law services, complementing its established litigation practice. Learn More About Our Partnership

Each year, Silverman Thompson honors one first-year student from the University of Baltimore School of Law to cultivate local talent from the Baltimore community and retain top talent at the firm.

We’re thrilled to introduce our 2025 UB Law Fellow, Tyler Konigsberg. Join us in welcoming Tyler and our cohort of six UB Law summer clerks. Learn More About the Fellowship and Our Summer Clerkship Program

A Look into Our Civil Litigation Practice

• Silverman Thompson’s business litigation team recently secured a significant and highly unusual sanction in a complex real estate investment fraud case pending in circuit court. The court granted our request to prohibit the defendant—an individual at the center of an extensive real estate fraud scheme—from introducing any testimony or evidence at trial. This extraordinary remedy is rarely granted and underscores the seriousness of the defendant’s discovery misconduct. Read more about the case here.

• Mark Edelson, Pierce Murphy, and Mike Levin represented a former NFL player in defense of garnishment actions in Georgia and Virginia that froze a significant amount of our client’s assets.

• Silverman Thompson secured summary judgment for Whoop Connect, Inc. in a case alleging the company received funds tied to improper kickbacks. The court found no evidence that Whoop knew or should have known the funds were improperly obtained, rejecting claims of fraudulent conveyance and unjust enrichment. Bill Sinclair argued the motion for Whoop.

Judgments in Commercial Litigation

So far in 2025, the firm has recovered:

• $7.5 million – Settled on behalf of the injured party in a motorcycle collision – Read More Here

• $3 million – Defeated motions to vacate confessed judgments by two companies and an individual in Virginia state court

• $3 million – Obtained judgment against parent company of multiple travel businesses in Virginia state court

• $1.7 million – Settled on the behalf of the parents of the deceased in a construction accident – Read More Here

• $1 million – Resolved Baltimore County car crash with extensive injuries to an elderly woman

• $1 million – Obtained judgment against publicly traded company and three affiliates in Virginia state court
• $100k– Obtained judgment in favor of equipment finance company and against business and four individuals in Virginia federal court

• Confidential six-figure settlement – Obtained settlement for an international creditor of local property management companies and owners in Maryland state court

• Confidential amount – obtained order in bankruptcy court, allowing full payment to secured creditor of real estate portfolio following several years’ litigation

Explore Our Legal Blogs

Professional License Suspensions in Maryland

If you are a licensed professional in Maryland, it is crucial to understand the grounds for suspension, the appeals process, and the potential consequences. Read the Blog

Popular Topics in Family Law

The family law team breaks down common questions and important legal updates on our divorce lawyer blog. Read the Blog

Maryland DUI/DWI Frequently Asked Questions

Senior Partner Brian Thompson analyzes the most frequently asked questions about driving under the influence in Maryland. Read the Blog

More News at the Firm

• We’re in Annapolis! Learn About Our Latest Office Opening
• Silverman Thompson Partners with Justin Batoff and Batoff Associates
• Firm Secures Multi-Million Dollar Settlements for Personal Injury Clients 

With the recent additions of attorney Christopher Mincher, former chief legal counsel to Governor Larry Hogan, and family law attorney Nathan Volke, expanding to a brick-and-mortar presence in the state capital was a natural next step. 

The firm already maintains a substantial presence in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County and is proud to deepen its commitment to the region. This new Annapolis office complements Silverman Thompson’s existing locations in Baltimore, Towson, and Washington, D.C. 

“Opening our doors in Annapolis allows us to better serve our clients where they live and work,” said Managing Partner Steven D. Silverman. “We are dedicated to making our services as accessible and responsive as possible for the communities we proudly represent.” 

Chris Mincher Anchors New Office

Partner Christopher Mincher is now based in our Annapolis office. A trusted advisor with deep roots in the city, Chris served as chief legal counsel to Governor Larry Hogan and has spent his career advising government officials and private clients on matters involving regulatory compliance, administrative law, and litigation. A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and an active member of the local community, Chris brings unmatched insight and connections within Maryland’s legal and governmental landscape. 

“Annapolis is not just my hometown – it’s an obvious place to expand Silverman Thompson’s strong ties to Maryland politics, deep experience with government issues, and growing presence in the Anne Arundel courthouse and legal scene,” said Chris Mincher. 

 “The office will be a hub for serving clients with State matters and statewide concerns, as well as local clients looking for top-notch, high-level representation conveniently located right here where they are.” 

Nathan Volke Expands Regional Reach

Counsel Nathan Volke will also work from the Annapolis office as needed to serve his Anne Arundel County clients. In addition to his thriving law practice, Nathan is a dedicated public servant and a current member of the Anne Arundel County Council. He is well known for his work in local government, community engagement, and his experience navigating complex family law matters in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. His presence further strengthens the firm’s ties to the region. 

“Having spent most of my career in Annapolis, both as an attorney and an elected official, I am thrilled to be a part of the Silverman Thompson team’s growth into our State’s Capital,” said Nathan Volke.  

Visit Silverman Thompson in Annapolis

We hope this new office provides our clients with peace of mind and ease of access, offering an alternative to traveling downtown. All our attorneys are available to meet with clients in this welcoming space, conveniently located in the heart of Annapolis. 

You can find us at our other locations here. 

For more information, please contact us. 

To reach Chris Mincher directly regarding services in the Annapolis area, please visit his profile. 

His arrival strengthens an already formidable legal team and reaffirms the firm’s commitment to offering clients strategic, high-level representation across a wide range of complex legal issues. 

Chris rejoins Silverman Thompson after more than six years in the Office of Legal Counsel for Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, most recently leading the office as chief legal counsel. In that role, he advised on the powers of the executive branch, oversaw litigation involving state agencies, analyzed legislative action, and assisted with judicial appointments. 

Before his time in public service, Chris spent three years as an associate at Silverman Thompson. Reflecting on his early years at the firm, Chris credits that formative experience with setting the foundation for his subsequent leadership in state government. 

“One great thing about coming here was everyone is encouraged to be exposed to a lot of different types of law,” he said. “You could really sample the field and get a sense for what you were good at, what you liked, where you thought you could add value.” 

That broad exposure and fast-paced environment helped prepare him for the demands of advising the Governor of Maryland, with legal questions as varied as they were urgent. 

“I think what helped prepare me to go into the governor’s office was dealing with a wide variety of subjects with pressing deadlines and large consequences,” Chris explained. “You were constantly fielding legal questions about things that you didn’t have exposure to. You had to immediately learn, understand the issues, and advise and educate those around you. Coming from a rapid-fire, fast-moving firm with a lot of different subject areas really helped me pick up those skills.” 

Managing Partner Steve Silverman spoke highly of Chris’s return. “As an associate with the firm, Chris demonstrated legal acumen beyond his years,” he said. “We encouraged him to take advantage of the opportunity with Governor Hogan’s General Counsel’s office, and we weren’t surprised when he was elevated to Chief Counsel. We’re thrilled that he has come home and is going to provide our clients with top-shelf representation.” 

Since rejoining Silverman Thompson in the spring, Chris has quickly become involved in several of the firm’s most significant matters. He brings to each case not only his litigation expertise but also a keen understanding of government operations, policy development, and regulatory frameworks: experience that is especially valuable in today’s complex legal and political landscape. 

“Well, when you come from more than six years of being at the top of state government, you learn all the little nuances about how things operationally work,” Chris said. “You understand where issues end up, who the decision-makers are, what sometimes obscure but very powerful boards and commissions do, and who the personnel on those things are.” 

Chris now draws on this knowledge to help clients navigate legal challenges involving both public and private entities. Whether it’s about regulatory compliance, administrative hearings, or high-stakes appeals, his understanding of how government institutions function allows him to find practical and nuanced solutions. 

He also sees an opportunity to expand the firm’s footprint in regulatory and administrative matters: “At least when I was here as an associate, I don’t recall a large regulatory focus on many of the cases I handled. I’m excited to stay sharp in that area and help clients engage with government agencies to resolve problems.” 

Chris’s return marks not just the homecoming of a talented lawyer but also the continued evolution of Silverman Thompson as one of the region’s premier litigation firms. His combination of private practice and high-level government experience ensures that clients—whether businesses, individuals, or public officials—receive comprehensive, strategic legal counsel. 

We are excited to welcome Chris Mincher back to Silverman Thompson and look forward to the insight and leadership he brings to the firm. 

For more information or to contact Chris directly, please reach out to him directly at cmincher@silvermanthompson.com or 410.385.2225.