Baltimore, Maryland Administrative Law Attorneys

Lawyers Assisting With the Defense of Professionals in Baltimore

Silverman Thompson offers robust representation in administrative law matters, focusing on professionals and businesses. We can help clients resolve legal concerns effectively while protecting their rights during administrative proceedings. We can assist with multiple types of cases, including:

State and Federal Administrative Proceedings

Our experienced attorneys help clients navigate the complexities of state and federal administrative proceedings, including hearings at the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). We tackle various issues, including agency decision challenges, rule disputes, bid protests, and regulatory enforcement actions.

Defense of Professionals

For professionals, we can provide skilled counsel to defend against disciplinary action. Our attorneys are familiar with regulatory bodies and the administrative law landscape. We have successfully defended judges, lawyers, healthcare providers, and other licensed professionals before various commissions and boards, often resolving cases without formal charges. Our experience in the area of professional license defense extends to cases that may run parallel to criminal investigations, involving agencies like the SEC, FTC, and various Maryland boards.

Representation of Businesses

For businesses, our team is adept at defending against actions initiated by the Maryland Attorney General's Office, including cease and desist orders and licensing issues. Our proactive approach ensures that we can help clients address and mitigate regulatory challenges effectively while safeguarding their interests.

When to Hire an Attorney

In state or federal administrative proceedings, a case often begins with an official notice letter that is sent to a licensee or a professional being investigated by an agency. This notice letter will state the violations being investigated, and it will quote from the various rules and regulations of that agency. A person or business may have an opportunity to respond in writing or in person, depending on the type of investigation.

It is critical to have competent counsel at this early stage of the case for several reasons:

• First, having an attorney write a response to the agency is critical. It demonstrates that the matter is being taken seriously and that a person will have a legal representative defending their rights.
• Second, an attorney will be able to negotiate with the agency more effectively on a person's behalf.
• Third, an attorney will protect a person's rights from government overreach.
• Fourth, an attorney will be able to formulate defenses to the potential administrative case early on and before any more issues arise.
• Last, and most importantly, in administrative cases, deadlines are often inflexible, and an attorney will be aware of deadlines and help prepare a timely defense.

Having an attorney experienced in administrative law is important. The rules of evidence are relaxed in these types of cases, and hearsay is often admissible. These hearings are much like trials, but they involve a different set of procedures and practices than regular court rules.

Representation from a lawyer who is familiar with those procedures and practices can mean the difference between winning and losing a case. Furthermore, the timing and deadlines associated with these cases are also very important to know and be aware of, and this is something that our experienced administrative attorneys can exploit to our clients' benefit.

Representation Before Government Organizations

Our attorneys negotiate with elected and appointed officials at all levels, and we regularly appear before various governmental and quasi-governmental regulatory bodies, including:

• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
• Maryland Securities Commission
• Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)
• U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Maryland Consumer Protection Division
• The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
• National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD)
• American Arbitration Association
• Maryland Insurance Administration
• Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)
• Private and Public Colleges and Universities: Suspension and Expulsion Hearings
• Private Maryland Secondary Schools: Suspension and Expulsion Hearings
• Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission
• Maryland General Assembly
• Maryland Attorney General: Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
• Maryland Board of Physicians
• Maryland Board of Nursing
• Maryland Department of Social Services (DSS)

Contact Our Baltimore, MD Professional Defense Lawyers

When dealing with issues involving administrative law, it is important to make sure you are represented by a lawyer with experience in this area. The team at Silverman Thompson can help defend against disciplinary action or other issues that could affect a professional or business. We will work to resolve these cases successfully while protecting your rights. Contact our Baltimore administrative law and professional defense attorneys at 410-385-2225 to schedule a consultation.