Top 10 law firms in Maryland: A data-driven guide

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In Maryland's dynamic legal market, where 40,800 active attorneys compete to serve 639,789 businesses, selecting the right law firm requires more than traditional referrals or reputation alone. Our analysis leverages actual transaction data alongside market indicators to identify firms that consistently deliver value across practice areas.

Understanding Maryland's legal landscape

Maryland's $432.2 billion economy creates unique legal service demands driven by its distinctive economic composition. The $87.7 billion government sector generates substantial federal contracting and regulatory compliance work, while the $75 billion professional services industry requires sophisticated corporate counsel. Emerging sectors like renewable energy, where Maryland mandates 14.5% solar-powered electricity by 2028, create specialized practice opportunities. The state's 18,118 legal services professionals serve a market with approximately 6.6 lawyers per 1,000 residents, one of the nation's highest densities, indicating both robust competition and sophisticated client expectations.

Top 10 law firms in Maryland

Our analysis identifies these firms based on transaction volume, client diversity, and market specialization. DLA Piper leads with its global reach and comprehensive practice areas, followed by Silverman Thompson's litigation excellence and Shulman Rogers' mid-market business focus. Each firm brings distinct strengths to Maryland's legal marketplace.

DLA Piper

Founded in 2005 through the merger of three international firms, DLA Piper maintains a significant Baltimore presence alongside 90+ offices across 40+ countries. With approximately 4,200 attorneys globally, the Maryland office focuses on corporate transactions, litigation, and regulatory compliance. The firm serves Fortune 500 corporations, financial institutions, and government entities, with notable representation of major Port of Baltimore stakeholders in customs and international trade matters.

Key practice areas

• Cross-border mergers and acquisitions
• Intellectual property litigation
• White-collar defense
• Real estate finance
• Federal contracting disputes
• Cybersecurity and data breach response

Best for

Large corporations requiring international legal capabilities, particularly those engaged in cross-border transactions, complex regulatory compliance, or high-stakes litigation. Ideal for Maryland-based defense contractors, multinational businesses operating through the Port of Baltimore, and companies facing federal investigations or cybersecurity incidents requiring immediate, sophisticated response.

Notable facts

DLA Piper received Chambers USA rankings in 2023 for corporate law and litigation, reflecting its position among elite international firms. The Baltimore office frequently handles federal contracting disputes and cybersecurity breaches affecting Maryland's substantial defense contractor base, leveraging the firm's global resources and specialized practice groups to manage complex, multi-jurisdictional matters.

Silverman Thompson

Established in 2000, Silverman Thompson operates from its Baltimore headquarters with additional offices in Washington D.C. and New York. The firm employs approximately 50 attorneys specializing in complex commercial litigation, professional liability defense, and catastrophic injury cases. Their trial practice handles high-profile business torts, legal malpractice claims, and medical negligence suits, frequently representing healthcare systems like Johns Hopkins Medicine and the University of Maryland Medical System.

Key practice areas

• Complex commercial litigation
• Professional liability defense
• Catastrophic injury cases
• Business torts
• Medical malpractice defense
• Securities litigation

Best for

Healthcare institutions, professional service firms, and businesses facing high-stakes litigation or catastrophic liability claims. Particularly suited for Maryland's major medical centers, accounting firms, and corporations defending against securities fraud allegations or complex commercial disputes requiring experienced trial counsel.

Notable facts

The firm secured a $150 million verdict in a corporate fraud case and has received U.S. News "Best Law Firms" recognition annually since 2013. Silverman Thompson maintains an AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell rating and has built a reputation for handling bet-the-company litigation for Maryland's premier healthcare and professional services organizations.

Shulman Rogers

Since its 1972 founding, Shulman Rogers has grown to 100+ attorneys across offices in Potomac, Baltimore, and Tysons Corner. The firm serves mid-market businesses and entrepreneurs with core practices in real estate development, corporate transactions, and litigation. Their real estate group handles complex mixed-use projects throughout the Baltimore-Washington corridor, while the business law department structures venture capital deals for technology startups.

Key practice areas

• Real estate development and finance
• Corporate transactions and M&A
• Venture capital and startup law
• Commercial litigation
• Intellectual property licensing
• Mixed-use and waterfront development

Best for

Mid-market businesses, real estate developers, and technology entrepreneurs seeking comprehensive legal support for growth and transactions. Ideal for commercial developers working on Baltimore-Washington corridor projects, biotechnology firms commercializing university research, and established businesses pursuing strategic acquisitions or capital raises.

Notable facts

Shulman Rogers received the 2023 Maryland Innovation Award for structuring intellectual property licenses and has been recognized by Chambers USA for real estate law since 2018. The firm's client base includes waterfront property developers near the Port of Baltimore and biotechnology companies commercializing University of Maryland research innovations.

Witherup Allen Law

Operating since 1985, Witherup Allen Law maintains a concentrated practice in Annapolis with 15 attorneys focused on administrative law, government relations, and environmental regulation. The firm represents clients before state agencies including the Maryland Department of the Environment, Public Service Commission, and Cannabis Administration, navigating complex permitting processes for energy projects and emerging industries.

Key practice areas

• Administrative law and regulatory compliance
• Government relations and lobbying
• Environmental regulation and permitting
• Cannabis licensing and compliance
• Energy project development
• Water rights and agricultural law

Best for

Businesses requiring specialized regulatory counsel, particularly in cannabis, renewable energy, or environmental sectors. Essential for companies navigating Maryland's complex administrative processes, securing cannabis licenses, developing solar installations under renewable portfolio standards, or addressing agricultural and water rights issues.

Notable facts

Witherup Allen drafted legislation for Maryland's medical cannabis licensing framework and represents agricultural businesses in water rights disputes. The firm's attorneys include former state agency counsel and receive consistent recognition in The Best Lawyers in America for administrative law, positioning them as go-to counsel for regulatory matters.

GFR Law

Originally founded as Gordon Feinblatt in 1953, GFR Law employs 100+ attorneys from its Baltimore headquarters. The firm maintains a diversified practice with emphasis on healthcare law, financial services, and business transactions. Their healthcare group represents hospital systems, long-term care facilities, and medical practices in regulatory compliance and merger transactions, while the financial services practice handles bank formations and fintech regulations.

Key practice areas

• Healthcare regulatory compliance
• Hospital and medical practice mergers
• Financial services and banking law
• Fintech regulations
• Credit union consolidations
• FDA regulatory matters

Best for

Healthcare organizations, financial institutions, and life sciences companies facing complex regulatory environments. Particularly valuable for Maryland's hospital systems navigating mergers, credit unions undergoing consolidation, biotechnology firms seeking FDA approvals, and fintech startups requiring specialized financial services counsel.

Notable facts

GFR Law received the 2022 Chambers USA Award for Excellence in Healthcare Law and maintains a top-tier ranking in U.S. News "Best Law Firms" for corporate law. The firm's client roster includes Maryland-based credit unions and biotechnology companies, reflecting its deep expertise in regulated industries.

Lerch Early

Established in 1970, Lerch Early operates from Bethesda with 100+ attorneys serving the Washington-Baltimore corridor. The firm specializes in real estate, business law, and litigation, with particular expertise in commercial leasing, land use, and condominium development. Their real estate practice handles transactions involving properties near federal installations and transit-oriented developments along the Purple Line.

Key practice areas

• Commercial real estate transactions
• Land use and zoning
• Condominium and HOA law
• Transit-oriented development
• Commercial leasing
• Tax increment financing

Best for

Real estate developers, commercial property owners, and businesses involved in complex real estate transactions or development projects. Ideal for developers working on transit-oriented projects, shopping center owners restructuring leases, and entities pursuing urban renewal initiatives requiring tax increment financing or complex zoning approvals.

Notable facts

Lerch Early has been recognized by U.S. News as a "Best Law Firm" in real estate law annually since 2010 and received the 2023 Community Impact Award from the Maryland Building Industry Association. The firm represents major shopping center owners and developers securing financing for urban renewal projects throughout the region.

Dars Law

Founded in 2008, Dars Law maintains offices in Baltimore and Rockville with 20 attorneys focused on immigration, personal injury, and criminal defense. The firm handles complex deportation defense, employment-based visas, and asylum cases for Maryland's immigrant communities, particularly serving clients from Central America and West Africa. Their litigation practice includes catastrophic injury claims arising from port accidents and medical malpractice.

Key practice areas

• Immigration law and deportation defense
• Employment-based visa applications
• Asylum and refugee cases
• Personal injury litigation
• Medical malpractice
• Criminal defense

Best for

Immigrant communities seeking comprehensive legal representation, employers sponsoring foreign workers, and individuals injured in serious accidents. Particularly suited for Maryland's diverse immigrant population requiring deportation defense, businesses navigating employment visa processes, and victims of port-related accidents or medical negligence.

Notable facts

Dars Law received the 2023 Pro Bono Service Award from the Maryland State Bar Association for representing asylum seekers. The firm has secured U visas for crime victims and obtained multi-million dollar settlements in trucking accident cases, demonstrating expertise across both immigration and personal injury matters.

JGL Law

Since its 1995 founding, JGL Law has grown to 30 attorneys across offices in Baltimore and Towson. The firm concentrates on insurance defense, professional liability, and commercial litigation, representing regional insurers, healthcare providers, and construction companies. Their construction defect litigation practice handles cases involving waterfront development and infrastructure projects near the Chesapeake Bay.

Key practice areas

• Insurance defense and coverage
• Professional liability litigation
• Construction defect claims
• Commercial litigation
• Architect and design professional defense
• Port infrastructure disputes

Best for

Insurance companies, construction firms, and design professionals facing liability claims or coverage disputes. Essential for regional insurers managing complex claims, contractors involved in waterfront or infrastructure projects, and architects defending against design defect allegations related to Chesapeake Bay developments.

Notable facts

JGL Law has been recognized by Super Lawyers for insurance coverage expertise and maintains an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. The firm's notable representations include defending architects in design liability claims and contractors in delay disputes for Port of Baltimore facilities, establishing regional expertise in construction litigation.

SGS Law

Established in 1982, SGS Law operates from Baltimore with 25 attorneys specializing in workers' compensation, employment law, and civil litigation. The firm represents employers in OSHA investigations, wage-hour disputes, and discrimination claims, with particular expertise in maritime employment issues affecting port workers. Their litigation practice handles cases involving workplace accidents at distribution centers and manufacturing facilities.

Key practice areas

• Workers' compensation defense
• Employment law and OSHA compliance
• Maritime employment issues
• Wage and hour litigation
• Discrimination defense
• Workplace accident litigation

Best for

Employers facing workers' compensation claims, OSHA investigations, or employment disputes, particularly those in maritime, logistics, and manufacturing sectors. Critical for Port of Baltimore employers, trucking companies dealing with contractor classification issues, and distribution centers managing workplace safety compliance.

Notable facts

SGS Law received the Maryland Defense Counsel's Excellence in Defense Award in 2022. The firm has successfully defended trucking companies in independent contractor misclassification claims and obtained summary judgment in complex retaliatory discharge cases, demonstrating particular strength in employment litigation.

Offit Kurman

Founded in 1987, Offit Kurman employs 170+ attorneys across 15 offices including Baltimore, Bethesda, and Frederick. The firm serves middle-market businesses with practices in business transactions, litigation, and real estate. Their corporate group handles mergers and acquisitions for manufacturing and distribution companies, while the labor practice advises employers on cannabis workplace policies following Maryland's legalization.

Key practice areas

• Mergers and acquisitions
• Business litigation
• Labor and employment law
• Cannabis workplace policies
• Intellectual property licensing
• Franchise law

Best for

Middle-market businesses pursuing growth through acquisitions, companies adapting to cannabis legalization's workplace impacts, and franchisors or franchisees navigating disputes. Ideal for Maryland manufacturers seeking strategic buyers, craft breweries dealing with franchise issues, and employers updating policies for the post-legalization environment.

Notable facts

Offit Kurman received the 2023 "Law Firm of the Year" award from the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and maintains U.S. News "Best Law Firms" rankings in six practice areas. The firm represents craft breweries in franchise disputes and technology companies in intellectual property licensing, reflecting its diverse middle-market client base.

What to consider when choosing a firm in Maryland

Selecting legal counsel in Maryland requires evaluating firms against your specific industry context and geographic needs. Consider whether your business intersects with the state's dominant sectors—firms with dedicated government contracting practices prove essential for the $87.7 billion government sector, while those with Port of Baltimore expertise serve the $3.9 billion maritime commerce ecosystem. Proximity matters for regulatory work: Annapolis-based firms like Witherup Allen offer direct state agency access, while Baltimore firms provide federal court proximity.

Evaluate practice area depth through concrete indicators. Healthcare organizations should prioritize firms with FDA regulatory knowledge and merger transaction history. Request specific Maryland case examples—firms handling Purple Line development or Chesapeake Bay environmental matters demonstrate local market understanding beyond general practice claims.

Next steps include scheduling consultations with three firms matching your criteria, requesting fee structures and staffing proposals for anticipated matters, and verifying Maryland Bar standing and disciplinary history. Ask about technology capabilities for document management and billing transparency—critical for controlling costs in Maryland's competitive legal market where 40,800 attorneys create pricing pressure. Finally, confirm conflict-checking procedures, particularly important given the interconnected nature of Maryland's business community between Baltimore and the Washington corridor.