Steven D. Silverman

Steven D. Silverman

Steven D. Silverman
Born (1966-10-28) October 28, 1966
Baltimore, Maryland
Alma mater St. Paul's School for Boys, University of Richmond, University of Baltimore School of Law
Occupation Lawyer
Years active 1991-present
Website http://www.mdattorney.com

Steven D. Silverman (born October 28, 1966) is an American trial lawyer best known for his work on various cases, including the decade-long representation of former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Riddick Bowe.

Early life and education

Silverman was born in Baltimore, Maryland on Oct 28, 1966. After graduating from the St. Paul's School for Boys, a private preparatory school in Brooklandville, Maryland, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in history and American studies from the University of Richmond in 1988.[1] He earned his Juris Doctorate at the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1991.[1]

Silverman is currently the managing partner of the Baltimore-based law firm Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White, LLC.[1]

Upon passing the bar in 1991, Silverman worked for three years as an Assistant Public Defender in Baltimore City.[1] In 1994 Silverman left the Public Defender's Office and started a solo private practice. Since the start of his private practice he has not lost a single jury trial.[1]

He successfully represented victims from the 1995 catastrophic Amtrak-CSX collision in Chase, Maryland.[1] He represented former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Riddick Bowe for a decade in notable cases which included a 2003 criminal acquittal and successful federal lawsuit against former manager Rock Newman.[2]

Silverman also successfully represented the family of Isaiah Simmons, III, a Maryland teen accidentally killed by officials at the Bowling Brook Preparatory School.[3] This case drew substantial media interest and caused sweeping changes to the Maryland Juvenile Justice System.[4][5]

Defense of Ria Ramkissoon

Silverman received publicity during his successful representation of Ria Ramkissoon, a former member of the cult "One Mind Ministries."[6] Ramkissoon had been charged with 1st degree murder for the alleged starvation of her one-year-old child. However, with Silverman's representation she received only probation.[7] Silverman was featured on CNN and BBC World due to the notoriety of this case and the substantial amount of media attention that it garnered both in the U.S. and abroad.[6][8] He was also featured on The Dr. Phil Show for his involvement in this case.[9] As of 2010, it is believed to be the only instance in the history of American jurisprudence where a "resurrection clause" was included in a plea agreement.[10] Under this clause, Ramkissoon would be acquitted of all charges in the event that her deceased son is resurrected from the dead.[10]

Defense of Barry Landau

From 2011-2012 Silverman defended Barry Landau after Landau and an accomplice were caught stealing priceless historic documents from the Maryland Historical Society, including papers signed by Abraham Lincoln.[11] Subsequent FBI searches of Landau's Manhattan home uncovered more than 10,000 "objects of cultural heritage" with an estimated value of $2.5 million.[12] Landau pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and theft of historical documents and was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, and ordered to pay $46,525 in restitution.[12][13] In a 60 Minutes segment featuring Silverman, Landau's case was cited as the largest theft of historical documents in U.S. history.[14]

NHL Concussion Litigation

In November 2013 Silverman filed a class action lawsuit against the National Hockey League on behalf of former players alleging that the NHL failed to adequately respond to the serious health risks posed by concussions and other repeated head traumas suffered during games.[15][16] Former players named in the original lawsuit included Gary Leeman, Brad Aitken, Darren Banks, Curt Bennett, Richie Dunn, Warren Holmes, Bob Manno, Blair Stewart, and Morris Titanic.[15] In February 2014 Silverman amended his original complaint to add Bob Bourne, Scott Parker, Bernie Nicholls, and Bruce Bell as named plaintiffs.[17][18] Over 200 other former NHL players have joined this class action lawsuit.[19]

NFL Prescription Drug Litigation

In May 2014 Silverman filed a class action lawsuit against the National Football League on behalf of former players alleging that the NFL habitually obtained and administered narcotics and other prescription medications illegally, without prescriptions and without providing informed consent, to speed players' return to the field and thereby maximize league profits.[20][21] This lawsuit originally named eight former NFL players as plaintiffs including Richard Dent, Jim McMahon, Keith Van Horne, Marcellus Wiley, Jeremy Newberry, Roy Green, Ron Stone, J. D. Hill, and Ron Pritchard.[20][22] Over 750 other former NFL players have joined this class action lawsuit.[20][23] When news of this lawsuit broke, Silverman was featured on numerous national media outlets including The Today Show,[24] Mike & Mike in the Morning,[25] and Face the Nation.[26]

Recognition

Silverman is ranked as a perfect ten by Avvo.com.[27] He is ranked by the American Trial Lawyers Association as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in Maryland.[28] Furthermore, he is a fellow with the Litigation Counsel of America, which recognizes less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.[29][30]

In 2010 Silverman was recognized by AVVO as one of the Top 10 Criminal Defense attorneys in the northeast United States.[31] In 2011 Silverman was recognized by AVVO as one of the Top 100 lawyers on the entire east coast.[32]

Appointments

In 2005 Silverman was appointed by then-Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich, Jr. to a four-year term on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities. In 2009 he was re-appointed to a second term by current Governor Martin O'Malley.[33] The Commission is an independent body empowered with the responsibility of investigating complaints against Maryland judges and, when necessary, conducting hearings and imposing sanctions.[34]

In 2006 Silverman was appointed to serve on the transition team of Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler.[35]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Steven D. Silverman, Managing Partner, Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White, LLC,
  2. ↑ State of Maryland v. Riddick Bowe, Avvo.com
  3. ↑ Brendan Kearney, School, Maryland settle lawsuit by family of asphyxiated teen, The Baltimore Daily Record, January 5, 2010,
  4. ↑ Suzanne Collins, Family Sues Over Teen's Death At Bowling Brook, CBS News, Baltimore (WJZ), May 15, 2008,
  5. ↑ Ashley M. Lewis, Injuries in Md. Juvenile Justice Facilities Spike in 2008, Southern MD News, Capital News Service, December 19, 2008,
  6. 1 2 Ashley Broughton, Mom's plea deal includes 'resurrection clause,' CNN, March 31, 2009,
  7. ↑ Ben Nuckols, Ria Ramkissoon: Cultist Gets Probation For Starving 1-Year-Old Son To Death ,' Huffington Post, April 21, 2010,
  8. ↑ Daily Mail Reporter, Cult members starved boy, 1, to death for refusing to say 'Amen' after meals ... then waited for him to be resurrected by God, Daily Mail World News August 18, 2008,
  9. ↑ Dr. Phil, YouTube video
  10. 1 2 Dan Morse, Plea Deal Includes Resurrection Clause: Mother to Testify Against Alleged Cult and to Go Free if Son Rises From Dead, Washington Post, March 31, 2009,
  11. ↑ Historian, accused of theft in Baltimore, faces Trial, CBS Baltimore, July 13, 2011,
  12. 1 2 Tricia Bishop, Thief of historic documents sentenced to prison, The Baltimore Sun, July 27, 2012,
  13. ↑ National Archives, Barry Landau Sentenced to 7 Years for Thefts From National Archives, Other Institutions, Press Release, June 27, 2012,
  14. ↑ National Archives' Treasures Targeted by Thieves, 60 Minutes, October 28, 2012,
  15. 1 2 Ex-players sue NHL over concussions, ESPN, November 26, 2013
  16. ↑ STSW Files Class Action Lawsuit Against National Hockey League, Press Release, November 26, 2013,
  17. ↑ Four more former NHL players join concussion lawsuit, Toronto Sun, February 21, 2014,
  18. ↑ STSW Files NHL Amended Class Action Complaint, Press Release, February 19, 2014,
  19. ↑ Chris Johnston, NHL concussion suit grows to 200 players, Sportsnet, November 27, 2013,
  20. 1 2 3 Ex-players: NFL illegally used drugs, ESPN, May 22, 2014
  21. ↑ STSW Files Class Action Lawsuit Against the National Football League, Press Release, May 20, 2014,
  22. ↑ Sam Farmer, NFL illegally gave them pills, painkillers, ex-players allege in suit, Los Angeles Times, May 20, 2014,
  23. ↑ 250 players join painkiller lawsuit, ESPN, June 5, 2014
  24. ↑ Scott Stump, Ex-player in lawsuit file: NFL never told us about effects of painkillers, Today News, May 22, 2014
  25. ↑ Steve Silverman on Mike & Mike in the Morning, ESPN, May 22, 2014
  26. ↑ CBS News, Face the Nation Transcripts May 25, 2014: Blumenthal, Thune, Kinzinger, Face the Nation, May 25, 2014
  27. ↑ Steven Donald Silverman, Avvo Rating, Avvo.com
  28. ↑ The American Trial Lawyers Association, Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Maryland,
  29. ↑ Litigation Counsel of America, LCA Fellows
  30. ↑ Litigation Counsel of America, Overview
  31. ↑ AVVO's Top Northeast Lawyers, Arrive Magazine, p. 93, November/December 2010,
  32. ↑ AVVO's Top Northeast Lawyers, Arrive Magazine, p. 120, November/December 2011,
  33. ↑ Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities, Members and Staff
  34. ↑ Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities, About the Commission
  35. ↑ Administrator, The Gansler Transition Committee, The Daily Record, December 6, 2006,
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