Posted on July 01, 2025 in Family Law

In Maryland, when parents agree (or are ordered) to exchange tax returns to re-evaluate child support, here are a few important things to keep in mind:

1. When do we exchange documents?

Typically, returns are exchanged annually if they are part of an Agreement (or part of a Court Order), often by a set date.

TIP: Send a friendly reminder to your co-parent a few weeks before the deadline to stay on the same page.

2. What documents should be shared?

Check your Agreement or Court Order and gather the correct documents. Typically, the full federal return is needed, including schedules, W-2s, K-1s, 1099s, etc.

3. What should I look for?

After both parties submit all of the documents, be sure to check all sources of income such as self-employment, investment, rental income, or certain business expenses or "perks" of employment (like company cars, housing, etc.).

It may be helpful to have your own accountant or attorney look over the federal return to see if you are missing anything or to investigate something further. However, be mindful of any confidentiality agreement you may have entered regarding documents that could extend to an accountant or attorney.

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 Posted on June 18, 2025 in Administrative Law/Defense of Professionals

Receiving a letter from the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) notifying you of an investigation or proposed disciplinary action can be stressful. Understanding the process, however, can help protect your license and reputation. This article breaks down how the process works and explains why early legal counsel can make a significant difference.

How the Disciplinary Process Begins

MREC initiates disciplinary investigations after receiving written complaints involving:

• A licensed real estate broker
• A licensed associate real estate broker
• A licensed real estate salesperson; or
• An unlicensed employee of a licensed real estate broker (See Real Estate complaint form)

To be actionable, the complaint must involve conduct occurring in connection with a real estate transaction within the State of Maryland for the MREC to have jurisdiction. Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 17-209

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 Posted on June 16, 2025 in Business Counseling, Litigation & Transactions

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.

For years, the defendant thwarted efforts by numerous parties to obtain documents critical to uncovering the breadth of his fraudulent activity. During discovery, he claimed to possess only 100 documents (screenshots of emails on his iPhone) related to hundreds of investment transactions. Our team knew that claim was implausible.

Through persistent efforts, we implemented a custodian questionnaire to identify electronically stored information, pinpointed the defendant’s iPhone and notebook computer, and successfully obtained a court order compelling forensic imaging of those devices. When the defendant defied that order—at one point seizing a device and fleeing the country—we obtained a contempt ruling, followed by the court’s rare and powerful sanction: exclusion of the defendant’s evidence and testimony at trial.

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 Posted on June 11, 2025 in Criminal Defense

One of the questions I get asked most often is, "How many of your cases do you win?" It’s a fair question, but the answer depends entirely on how you define a "win."

Most people think of courtroom victories in terms of trials and "not guilty" verdicts. But the reality is that most criminal cases don’t go to trial.

Often, the smartest and most successful outcomes happen outside the courtroom through dismissals, charge reductions, or plea agreements.

Let me give you two real examples: one where things went terribly wrong because an attorney handled the case improperly, and one where, by utilizing an honest and realistic assessment of the evidence and a strategic approach to that difficult situation, we saved a client from spending potentially the rest of his life in prison.

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 Posted on June 07, 2025 in Family Law

Maryland House Bill 1191, effective October 1, 2025, codifies the factors a Maryland family law court must consider in determining legal and physical custody in certain child custody proceedings.

Historically, these factors have been set out in case law (not statute). This change effects the first significant shift in the best interest custody factors in decades. These factors will apply to both initial custody determinations and modifications of a custody decision, retaining the requirement of a material change to warrant such a modification. HB 1191 also requires courts to explain their reasoning on the record to help families understand the decisions.

Please contact Nathan Volke and the Silverman Thompson family law team at nvolke@silvermanthompson.com or 443-909-7533 with any questions regarding House Bill 1191 or any related matters.

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 Posted on June 02, 2025 in Appeals - State & Federal

When you’re facing unfounded criminal accusations, having a knowledgeable and strategic defense is essential to protecting your rights and your future. At Silverman Thompson, we recently defended a client against charges of reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct following an incident with a security guard at a Ravens game. Thanks to a thorough legal strategy and compelling courtroom advocacy, our client was fully acquitted.

The Incident in Question

During a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium in 2024, our client was approached by a stadium security guard who alleged he was using profanity and smoking: a violation of stadium policy, but not a criminal offense under Maryland law. As our client attempted to leave the area, the security guard unexpectedly grabbed his shirt to prevent him from exiting.

In the ensuing struggle, both the guard and our client lost their balance and fell down a flight of concrete stairs. Despite the dramatic incident, no arrest was made at the scene, and no charges were filed at the time.

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 Posted on May 23, 2025 in Driving Under the Influence

Every once in a while, a case comes along that underscores exactly why the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial matter so deeply. Recently, Silverman Thompson had the privilege of defending a client in a DUI case in Maryland that ended in an acquittal: a just result in the face of overreach and manipulation.

The Background: A DUI Arrest Without Signs of Intoxication

Our client was pulled over late at night, not for speeding, swerving, or committing any moving violation. The sole basis for the stop was the absence of a front license plate, which is technically required under Maryland law. While that infraction may justify a stop, it certainly did not justify what followed.

The officer claimed he smelled alcohol and asked our client to exit the vehicle. My client admitted to having consumed two Corona beers at Top Golf, the last one approximately 45 minutes prior to the stop. The officer then conducted field sobriety tests, all captured on his body camera.

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 Posted on May 22, 2025 in Case Results

Attorney: Brian Thompson

Howard County District Court

March 24-28

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 Posted on May 22, 2025 in Case Results

Attorney: Brian Thompson

Essex District Court

March 24-28

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 Posted on May 22, 2025 in Case Results

Attorney: Brian Thompson

Baltimore County Circuit Court

March 24-28

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