Experience

Representative Matters

In recent years, Emerson has:

  • Served as lead counsel in mixed-used developments in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, including a senior housing/office space development and an ongoing $450 million project for a religious institution involving worship, residential, educational, and recreational space;
  • Advocated for clients in land use matters and zoning issues (special exceptions, variances, conditional uses, as well as re-zoning), as well as local jurisdiction administrative and development plan approvals;
  • Represented developers in all aspects of commercial real estate projects, including land acquisition, development, financing, construction, and sales;
  • Advocated on behalf of landlords and tenants in the leasing of thousands of square feet of office, retail, and industrial space;
  • Counseled commercial and residential owners and builders in matters of construction disputes, lien claims, and general construction matters;
  • Represented developers in residential projects and the establishment of condominium, co-op, and homeowner associations;
  • Represented institutional lenders in issuance of commercial loans and, as needed, workout or foreclosure of loans; and
  • Advised numerous purchasers and sellers in the acquisition and sale of businesses.
Attorney Profile
Education
  • University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law (J.D., 1979) Member, Moot Court Board
  • Towson University (B.S., cum laude, 1976)
Bar Admissions
  • State of Maryland
Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
Activities
  • American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law, Business Law, and State and Local Government Sections
  • Maryland Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Maryland State Bar Association, Real Property, Planning & Zoning, and Business Sections
  • Maryland Land Title Association
  • American Land Title Association
  • Wednesday Law Club
  • United Way of Central Maryland, Baltimore Partnership Board, 2011-2018; Board of Directors, 2005-2011; Executive Committee, chair of the board and Volunteer Development Committee, 2007-2012
  • Frederick High School (Maryland) distinguished Alumni, 2018
  • Speaker, "Commercial Real Estate Closings" program presented by Maryland State Bar Association's Real Property and Young Lawyers Sections, 2014
  • Advance Bank, Board of Directors, 2000-2013
  • Baltimore County Ethics Commission, 2008-2013
  • University of Maryland School of Law Alumni Association, Board of Directors, 1999-2010
  • Maryland Family Network, Inc. (formerly Friends of the Family, Inc.), Board of Directors, 1991-2005
  • Lecturer, Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers program "Contracts with the Homebuyer and Mandatory Disclosures under Federal, State and Local Law," 1995 and 1998
  • Maryland Aviation Commission, Board of Directors, 1995-1997
  • Leadership Baltimore County, Class of 1991
  • Maryland Assistant Attorney General, 1980-1985