United States District Court for the District of Maryland
About This Court
Established under Article III of the Constitution, this federal district court has jurisdiction over all federal civil and criminal matters arising within the state of Maryland. The district is a single district covering the entire state, though it operates divisions in both Baltimore and Greenbelt to serve different regions of Maryland, including the Washington, D.C. suburbs in the southern and western portions of the state.
Situated within the Fourth Circuit, the court handles a broad range of federal litigation including cases arising under federal statutes, constitutional claims, and diversity jurisdiction matters. Maryland's proximity to the federal government and its significant federal workforce and contractor presence contributes to a distinctive docket that frequently includes government contracts disputes, federal employment matters, and cases involving federal agencies.
The District of Maryland is one of the busier federal district courts in the Fourth Circuit, reflecting Maryland's population and its role as a hub for commerce, healthcare, and federal activity. The court has developed a reputation for efficient case management and has been a venue for significant civil rights, securities, and complex commercial litigation.
Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, along with the court's local rules. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the companion Bankruptcy Court, District of Maryland.
Divisions
Baltimore Division (Baltimore), Greenbelt Division (Greenbelt)
Caseload
The District of Maryland handles a substantial volume of civil and criminal matters, with notable concentrations in government contracts, federal employment, healthcare fraud, and immigration-related cases. Its location near the nation's capital contributes to a significant number of cases involving federal agencies and federal statutory claims.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to the Bar of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, which generally requires admission to the Maryland Bar or, under certain circumstances, admission to the bar of another state combined with local sponsorship. Specific requirements and procedures are set forth in the Local Rules of the court.
Clerk's Office
101 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 962-2600
Active Judges 15
| Name | Appointed By | Confirmed | Law School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Abelson | Joseph R. Biden | 2024 | New York University School of Law |
| Richard Bennett | George W. Bush | 2003 | University of Maryland School of Law (now Francis King Carey School of Law) |
| Deborah Boardman | Joseph R. Biden | 2021 | University of Virginia School of Law |
| James Bredar | Barack Obama | 2010 | Georgetown University Law Center |
| Deborah Chasanow | William J. Clinton | 1993 | Stanford Law School |
| Theodore Chuang | Barack Obama | 2014 | Harvard Law School |
| Stephanie Gallagher | Donald J. Trump | 2019 | Harvard Law School |
| Lydia Griggsby | Joseph R. Biden | 2021 | Georgetown University Law Center |
| Ellen Hollander | Barack Obama | 2010 | Georgetown University Law Center |
| Brendan Hurson | Joseph R. Biden | 2023 | University of Maryland School of Law (now Francis King Carey School of Law) |
| Matthew Maddox | Joseph R. Biden | 2023 | Yale Law School |
| William Nickerson | George H.W. Bush | 1990 | University of Maryland School of Law (now Francis King Carey School of Law) |
| Julie Rubin | Joseph R. Biden | 2022 | University of Maryland School of Law (now Francis King Carey School of Law) |
| George Russell | Barack Obama | 2012 | University of Maryland School of Law (now Francis King Carey School of Law) |
| Paula Xinis | Barack Obama | 2016 | Yale Law School |
Local Rules
97 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.