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For The Public

Recent News

City of Baltimore Files a First of its Kind Lawsuit Against Tobacco Companies for Cigarette Filter Waste

The City of Baltimore and Mayor Brandon Scott announced the joint filing of a lawsuit to hold cigarette manufacturers accountable for cleanup costs associated with tobacco product litter.

 

Baltimore Files Lawsuit to Combat PFAS Chemicals

The City of Baltimore announced the filing of a lawsuit against over 20 manufacturers of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) and certain "forever chemicals" used in those products.

 

Recent News

City of Baltimore Reaches Settlement in Polymer80

Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced that Baltimore City has reached a settlement in its lawsuit against Polymer80, the leading manufacturer of ghost gun kits in the United States. Ghost guns are unserialized, largely untraceable firearms. By falsely classifying its kits as “non-firearms,” Polymer80 has ensured that many of their products end up in the hands of convicted felons and minors.

Click here to read more.

Solicitor Thompson with others at Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse

From left to right, Assistant Solicitor Derek VanDeWalle, Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice Bradley Pough, Director and Chief Equity Officer of the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights Dana P. Moore, University of Baltimore School of Law Professor José F. Anderson, Baltimore City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson, President of the Bar Association of Baltimore City Jim Motsay, and Asst. Solicitor Kendrick McLeod pose for a photograph at the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse on Wed., Feb. 7, 2024. The Mayor’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights in collaboration with the Baltimore City Law Department sponsored the event Equality: Exploration of Baltimore City’s Past and Present Initiatives with guest speakers Moore, Anderson, and Thompson who shared their knowledge of Baltimore City’s racial past and discussed what the government is doing and can do to address lingering racial disparities.

City Solicitor meets with UMD Law Students

City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson with students at Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson poses for a photo with law students at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law on Jan. 31, 2024. City Solicitor Thompson presented to the students about career opportunities for young attorneys within the City’s Law Department.

First openly gay woman sworn in as City Solicitor

On January 29, 2024, Ebony M. Thompson was sworn in as the first woman and first openly gay City Solicitor in the 294-year history of the City. View the ceremony here.

BOE Recognizes 2023 Law Fellows

Photo of Interim Director of DPW Richard J. Luna, Comptroller Bill Henry, Law Fellow Josie Schafer, Council President Nick J. Mosby, Law Fellow Joshua Faulkner, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Law Fellow Choki Im, and Acting City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson.
(Pictured from left to right: Interim Director of the Department of Public Works Richard J. Luna, Comptroller Bill Henry, Law Fellow Josie Schafer, Council President Nick J. Mosby, Law Fellow Joshua Faulkner, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Law Fellow Choki Im, and Acting City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson. Not pictured: Law Fellow Caroline Alder and Law Fellow Colin Forrest. )

Members of the Board of Estimates recognized the Law Department’s Summer 2023 Law Fellows at Baltimore City Hall on August 2, 2023. The Law Fellows completed more than 55 legal assignments across the Law Department’s many practice groups during the Law Department’s Annual Clerkship Program. 

The  Summer Clerkship Program partners with the University of Maryland and the University of Baltimore law schools to provide third and fourth-year law students an opportunity to work alongside attorneys for the City doing litigation, transactional, and advice and opinions work.  If you are interested in a summer clerkship with the Law Department, please email Onica Barnes at obarnes@baltimorecity.gov. 

Acting Solicitor Delivers UB Commencement Address 

Acting Solicitor for the City of Baltimore and University of Baltimore School of Law alumna Ebony Thompson, J.D. '13, , delivered the address at the school's Commencement ceremony at Towson University's SECU Arena on May 17. View her full speech beginning at 00:42:30 by clicking here.

City of Baltimore Files Lawsuit Against Hyundai, Kia Over Car Thefts

The City of Baltimore joins Seattle, St. Louis, and several cities nationwide by filing a lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia for failing to equip their vehicles with industry-standard vehicle immobilization technology. Without this feature, vehicles can be started without a key, a flaw that has been the subject of numerous TikTok videos demonstrating the ease with which these cars can be stolen. This has led to a rash of thefts of these vehicles not only in Baltimore City but nationwide. Five hundred seventy-seven Kias and Hyundais have been stolen in Baltimore so far this year, a pace that will likely result in a year-end total that more than doubles that of 2022.


The Department of Law is a department of the City established by the City Charter. The head of the Department is the City Solicitor, who is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Under the City Charter, the City Solicitor is the legal adviser and representative of the City and its several departments, officers, commissions, boards, and authorities, and has general supervision and direction of the legal business of the City.

In addition to overseeing the Department of Law, the City Solicitor is a member of the Board of Estimates. The Board of Estimates formulates and executes the fiscal policy of the City. The Board holds formal hearings and approves operating and capital budget requests, and is responsible for awarding contracts and supervising all purchasing by the City. The City Solicitor serves on the Board of Estimates with the Mayor, the President of the City Council, the Comptroller, and the Director of the Department of Public Works.

Request Public Records

For Public Information Act Requests for Documents in Custody of the City’s Law Department:

Email: Ahleah Knapp
City Hall, Room 101
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (443) 984-3421

Minority & Women's Business Opportunity Office
City Hall, Room 101
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Office: 410-396-4355
Mobile: 410-913-2250

Office of Legal Affairs
C/O City Hall, Room 101
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Office: 410-396-2496

Inspector General's Office
City Hall, Room 635
100 North Holliday St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
Hotline: (800) 417-0430
Office: (443) 984-3690
Fax: (410) 837-1033
Email Us

If you do not receive a response from the desired number listed above, please contact the front desk for additional assistance. 

Front Desk 
City Hall, Room 101
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 396-3297