Badge - AV Preeminent
Badge - Rated by Super Lawyers Top 10 Maryland
Badge - AVVO Rating 10 Superb
Badge - Best Lawyers Best Law Firms
Badge - The National Trial Lawyers, top 100 trial lawyers
Picture of Steven D. Silverman

Steven D. Silverman

Recently named one of the Top Ten criminal defense attorneys on the East Coast for 2011, Mr. Silverman focuses on high-profile cases. With over twenty years of experience, he has represented thousands of criminal defendants in state and federal courts. He has not lost a single criminal jury trial in over a decade.

Also named one of the Top 100 trial lawyers in Maryland by the American Trial Lawyers Association, Mr. Silverman began his criminal defense practice in 1991 when he was appointed to the position of Assistant Public Defender, Felony Narcotics Division in Baltimore City. He won acquittals for his clients in his first six jury trials. He continued to hone his trial skills by appearing in Circuit Court on a daily basis for the next four years.

Upon entering private practice in 1995 as a solo practitioner, Mr. Silverman has consistently represented state and national high-profile criminal defendants, while building a firm of twenty lawyers strong.

Some high-profile cases include:

  • Successful representation of former undisputed World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Riddick Bowe in numerous civil and criminal matters spanning a decade including a 2003 acquittal in Prince George's County, Maryland.
  • Successful representation of an ex-NBA basketball player and his wife in a federal criminal fraud investigation and prosecution in U.S. District Court, Greenbelt, Maryland. All fraud charges dismissed.
  • Successful defense of a state campaign treasurer on theft and election law charges. The case was dismissed on the fourth day of trial by the State Prosecutor due to “inconsistent” testimony elicited by Mr. Silverman’s cross-examination of a Baltimore City Councilwoman.
  • Successful representation of former One Mind Ministries cult member Ria Ramkissoon by obtaining a plea of probation in a case where Ms. Ramkissoon was charged with 1st degree murder for the alleged starvation of her one-year-old son. This case garnered significant media attention in the United States and abroad. It is believed to be the first case in the history of American jurisprudence to include a "resurrection clause" in the plea agreement (2010).
  • Successful representation in court resulting in the dismissal of all adult criminal charges, including attempted first-degree murder, of a 16 year old Baltimore boy accused of a racially motivated beating of an elderly fisherman. The case drew significant media coverage and was particularly challenging due to the widespread bias against Mr. Silverman's client (2010). The case will be profiled on the primetime news magazine 20/20 in 2011.

Mr. Silverman has been recognized as a Maryland “Super Lawyer” for his defense for the past five consecutive years. He is also a been appointed to serve on an important legal commissions by two Governors and was named by the active Maryland Attorney General to serve on his transition team.


Education

J.D., University of Baltimore School of Law, 1991

B.A., University of Richmond, 1988

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice Maryland, 1991
United States District Court, District of Maryland, 1994
Honors, Awards and Appointments
  • 2005-2010 Appointed to Commission on Judicial Disabilities (4 year term), Re-Appointed in 2009 (4 year term)
  • 2010 Named as on e of the Top 10 criminal defense attorneys in the Northeast by Avvo.
  • 2007-2010 Named as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the State of Maryland by the American Association of Trial Lawyers
  • 2009 Fellow, the Litigation Counsel of America
  • 2007-2010 Selected by Law and Politics as a Maryland Super Lawyer
  • 2006 Appointed to serve on Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler’s
    Transition Committee
  • 2000-2010 Selected to Who’s Who of American Law
  • 1997-2010 Selected to Million Dollar Advocate’s Forum
Professional Associations

Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association
Maryland Trial Lawyers Association
Maryland State Bar Association
Bar Association for Baltimore City


American Trial Lawyers Association
Super Lawyers Badge
Million Dollar Advocates Forum