Posted on September 04, 2025 in Real Estate

On September 3, 2025, the Appellate Court of Maryland affirmed a prior victory by Silverman Thomspon real estate and appellate lawyers in the Circuit Court for Howard County, with instructions that the trial court issue an order declaring the property rights of adjoining landowners consistent with the appellate opinion.

This article is a follow-up to a prior blog post: Circuit Court Dismisses Firm Client from 7-Count Complaint

In late 2023, Silverman Thompson obtained full dismissal of a complicated property rights case filed against the firm’s client in the matter of George Arthur Willson, II, et al. v. TDH Farms LLC. The case involved a land rights dispute over use of a barn that straddles the property line between two adjoining parcels of real estate, one of which was purchased by the firm’s client.

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 Posted on September 01, 2025 in Family Law

Since the passing of the Big Beautiful Bill, several key changes were made to support families and education savings.*

The Child Tax Credit slightly increased to $2,200 per child beginning in 2025 and is now indexed to inflation, meaning it will automatically rise over time. The bill also makes permanent the higher income phaseout thresholds, allowing more families to qualify for the full credit: $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for joint filers.

The law also expands how families can use 529 plan funds. Starting in 2025, 529 accounts may be used for a much wider range of educational expenses beyond college tuition and fees. Qualified expenses now include credentialing and licensing programs, testing fees, continuing education, books and materials, tutoring, online learning tools, and certain educational therapies. Covered credential programs extend to both professional and trade certifications, such as CPA or bar exam preparation, CDL training, welding, HVAC, and cosmetology (read more here). Beginning with tax years in 2026, the annual withdrawal limit for K–12 education doubles from $10,000 to $20,000 per child.

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 Posted on August 13, 2025 in Appeals - State & Federal

In a major appellate victory for Silverman Thompson, the Supreme Court of Maryland — in a 6-1 decision on July 30, 2025 — reversed the reckless endangerment conviction of a former Baltimore City police officer, holding that the officer had no legal duty to prevent a spontaneous, unprovoked assault committed by a third party. The officer, only six months out of field training, responded to a call about two men fighting. When he arrived on the scene, he found one individual lying on the ground incapacitated and another individual sitting in his truck nearby. As the officer investigated, the individual in the truck walked over to the individual on the ground and kicked him in the head. Although an internal police investigation found that the officer had done nothing wrong, the State prosecuted him for reckless endangerment on the theory that he had a duty to prevent the kick. The trial court found the officer guilty, and the Appellate Court of Maryland affirmed. Silverman Thompson appellate specialist Todd Hesel petitioned the Supreme Court of Maryland to take the case, arguing that the officer had no legal duty to prevent the unexpected assault and that the State failed to prove the officer's inaction was a "gross departure" from what a reasonable, similarly situated police officer would have done. The Supreme Court granted the petition and reversed. The majority opinion, authored by Justice Booth, agreed with the Silverman Thompson appellate team that the officer had no legal duty to prevent the kick. First, the court concluded that a duty to prevent a spontaneous and unforeseeable assault by one member of the public on another was not among the common law duties traditionally imposed upon law enforcement officers. Next, the court found that the police department policy statements relied upon by the prosecution reflected only general goals and did not impose a specific duty to act in the circumstances presented. Finally, there was no "special relationship" giving rise to duty to protect, as the State argued, because the incapacitated individual was not in the officer's custody at the time of the kick. Read the Supreme Court of Maryland's opinion here: https://www.mdcourts.gov/data/opinions/coa/2025/13a24.pdf If you need assistance with an appellate matter, Todd Hesel can be reached at thesel@silvermanthompson.com or 443-895-4195.

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 Posted on August 12, 2025 in Appeals - State & Federal

On August 12, we published the below article on our firm's website. Our criminal defense and appellate teams tirelessly advocated on behalf of our client and successfully had his murder charges dismissed by the Appellate Court of Maryland.

Read more firm-wide updates at silvermanthompson.com

In an opinion issued June 18, 2025, the Appellate Court of Maryland agreed with Silverman Thompson that the first- and second-degree murder charges against our client were barred by double jeopardy and reversed the trial court's refusal to dismiss those charges.

Our client was tried by jury in September 2022 with murder and other charges related to an alleged shooting.  After several days of deliberations, the jury told the court that it was unanimous on one count but unable to agree on others.  The court, at the State's request, accepted the partial verdict.

Background on the Initial Trial

In open court, the foreperson announced a verdict of not guilty on second-degree murder, which was then confirmed by all twelve jurors in a poll.  The State then argued that the verdict was inconsistent with the directions on the verdict sheet and asked that the jury be sent back to resume deliberations.  The trial court agreed to the request, and after further deliberations failed to yield any verdict, the court granted the State's request for a mistrial on all counts.

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 Posted on August 06, 2025 in Administrative Law/Defense of Professionals

Nursing License Suspension Series Part 3 of 3

If you are mandated to participate in the Maryland Board of Nursing Safe Practice Program, we have created a comprehensive guide to walk you through what to expect. If you have not been mandated to participate in a program but are currently under investigation from a complaint, continue reading to understand possible outcomes of your investigation. 

Link to parts 1 and 2

Maintaining a relationship with your attorney is critical during your participation in the Maryland Board of Nursing Safe Practice Program to:  

• Get guidance to proper programs

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 Posted on August 05, 2025 in Administrative Law/Defense of Professionals

Nursing License Suspension Series Part 2 of 3

Receiving a letter from the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBN) notifying you of a complaint or investigation can be distressing. But understanding the process and responding promptly with early legal counsel can protect your medical license and livelihood. This article explains the process and your rights at each stage.

Who Is Regulated by the Maryland Board of Nursing?

The Maryland Board of Nursing (MBN) regulates individuals licensed or certified under Title 8 of the Health Occupations Article.

This includes: 

• Registered nurses (RN)

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 Posted on August 04, 2025 in Administrative Law/Defense of Professionals

Nursing License Suspension Series Part 1 of 3

Receiving a letter from the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBN) notifying you of a complaint or investigation can be distressing. If you are under investigation, you will receive an email and letter directly from the Board of Nursing investigators telling you that you have a complaint. The notification may or may not include additional details, such as the date, time, and/or circumstances of the complaint. 

Upon receiving a notification of complaint, we highly advise you to contact an attorney before any next steps to guide you through the process.

As a medical professional, it is imperative to understand not only what to do when you are faced with a complaint, but what constitutes a complaint to begin with. In this article, we will outline who is regulated by the Maryland Board of Nursing, common grounds for disciplinary reporting, the ins and outs of mandatory reporting, and next steps.

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 Posted on July 29, 2025 in Personal Injury

Silverman Thompson’s top-rated personal injury attorneys have secured extremely favorable outcomes in two tragic and complex cases this summer; a motorcyclist who sustained catastrophic injuries received a $7.5 million settlement, while the family of a young man killed at a construction site secured $1.75 million in a wrongful death claim.

Motorcyclist Awarded $7.5 Million in Settlement After Devastating Crash

In one of the firm’s most significant resolutions to date, Silverman Thompson secured $7.5 million on behalf of a client who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident.

The victim suffered permanent, disabling injuries after being struck by a car. The size of the settlement reflects not only the gravity of those injuries but also the substantial, ongoing care and assistance the client will require. This result provides the resources necessary for a lifetime of medical support, equipment, and personal care.

$1.75 Million Recovery for Family After Fatal Workplace Incident

The firm also reached a powerful resolution for the family of a 22-year-old construction worker killed in a workplace accident in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood.

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 Posted on July 07, 2025 in Personal Injury

It’s no secret that construction sites can be some of the most dangerous workplaces in America. Every day, workers navigate dynamic environments filled with heavy machinery, open trenches, scaffolding, high-voltage lines, and countless other hazards. Add in tight deadlines and multiple contractors working side by side, and it’s no surprise that construction accidents are among the most catastrophic and life-changing on-the-job injuries.

Unfortunately, the legal road to fair compensation isn’t always straightforward. Worker’s compensation laws and statutory employer provisions can severely limit an injured worker’s or their family’s right to pursue a lawsuit in civil court. That’s why it’s so important to understand your rights and work with a legal team that knows how to cut through the red tape.

At Silverman Thompson, our attorneys have spent decades fighting for injured construction workers and their families. We know the ins and outs of the complex laws, safety regulations, and contractual webs that surround these cases.

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 Posted on July 07, 2025 in Divorce

When getting divorced, one of the most difficult questions for anyone is: How will I keep my house? One should start by determining if one spouse can purchase the interest of the other spouse and remove that spouse from any liability on the house. That second piece often leads to a higher interest rate and higher monthly payment for the spouse keeping the home. And if the rate and/or payment are too high, the home may have to be sold incident to a divorce, which may not be the best thing for the family, spouses, or children.

But a new Maryland law may change that. The law makes it much easier for a divorcing spouse to keep their home by requiring the spouse to assume the existing loan. This would allow them to keep the current payment and the current rate in place.

In April 2025, the Governor signed SB 689 / HB 1018 requiring Maryland banking institutions, credit unions, mortgage lenders, mortgage lending businesses, and mortgage loan originators to include a provision in conventional home mortgage loans authorizing another borrower to purchase the property interest of a certain borrower and assume the existing mortgage in connection with a decree of absolute divorce if the lending entity determines that the assuming borrower qualifies for the loan.

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