In the lead up to the 2018 primary election for the Republican Nomination in Maryland’s 42nd Senatorial District, Baltimore trial attorney Adam Spence filed a lawsuit seeking to remove one of the Republican primary candidates.
The lawsuit alleged that one candidate did not live in the District and was ineligible to run for office. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of former Baltimore County Councilman Doug Riley who felt that a non-resident could not adequately represent the interests of the District’s residents.
The Critical Investigative Work Leading Up to the Filing and Trial
Using the work and testimony of a private investigator, Mr. Spence and his client were able to prove that, while the candidate owned a condo in the 42nd District, the candidate did not live there. Instead, the candidate lived in the 10th District. Remarkably, Mr. Spence’s own investigative research revealed that, shortly after the Certificate of Candidacy was filed, the candidate actually listed his in-district condo for sale!
Perhaps not surprisingly, the Court gave Mr. Spence’s client a total victory, issuing an Order directing the Maryland State Board of Elections to remove the candidate from the 2018 Republican primary ballot.
The Lawsuit was Notable for Three Reasons
- Adam Spence – The Attorney that Attorneys Chose
First, the client is a Baltimore County attorney with considerable litigation experience. The client could have chosen one of many Baltimore attorneys to handle his case. However, this attorney client chose Mr. Spence based on Mr. Spence’s reputation and experience with difficult cases. Spence | Brierley is known as the firm attorneys can depend on for both themselves and their families when a dispute arises. Numerous well-known attorneys have chosen Mr. Spence to represent them and their families in a variety of lawsuits.
- The Considerable Time Crunch
Second, there was a considerable time crunch involved. Not only did the Petition need to be investigated, prepared and filed less than three weeks after client retention, the hearing was required to be held less than one week after its filing. A typical case would provide four or more months for investigation, filing and trial preparation time. To manage this time crunch, Mr. Spence quickly mobilized his team of paralegals and attorneys and was able to fully prepare and present evidence at the hearing. This case was simply another example of Mr. Spence’s time management ability in handling emergency cases and delivering results.
- The Unique Nature of the Lawsuit
Finally, the case also presented relatively obscure election law with constitutional implications. It is certainly not every day that attorneys are involved in lawsuits challenging election residency requirements! Nevertheless, Adam Spence “hit the books,” carefully researching Maryland’s residency requirements for senatorial office. With that research, Mr. Spence worked with his private investigator to establish the necessary facts so as to remove the candidate from the ballot.
Background on Adam Spence
Throughout his career, Adam Spence has developed a reputation for handling complex cases where most attorneys would shy away. Through a combination of experience, strategic considerations, and legal insight, Mr. Spence is able to deliver results in such cases.
Adam Spence primarily concentrates his practice on the litigation of trusts & estates, real estate, construction, landlord-tenant and corporate matters. He has successfully represented individuals and businesses in both state and federal courts, resolving commercial disputes as well as personal and estate matters. Mr. Spence also serves as corporate counsel to several small and mid-sized businesses (as he says, “it is easier and cheaper to put the pin back in than sew the hand back on after the grenade goes off”).
Mr. Spence received his law degree from George Mason University and graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in economics. He is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Before entering private practice, Mr. Spence clerked for the Circuit Court of Arlington County, Virginia.