Author: JGL Law

Gia Grimm will speak at the American University Law Review 2026 Annual Spring Symposium, which will be held on February 6 at the Washington College of Law. The Symposium brings together legal scholars and practitioners to examine current and emerging issues in labor and employment law.

Gia will co-present on the Employee Privacy Rights Panel, where she will discuss the evolving legal landscape governing employee monitoring and workplace privacy. Her remarks will address the current limits on employer tracking practices, including keystroke logging, internet usage monitoring, and screen surveillance, as well as practical steps employees can take to assert their rights, such as seeking transparency around monitoring policies.

Additional sessions at the Symposium will cover a range of timely labor and employment topics, including Title VII and recent Supreme Court decisions, whistleblower protections, and the classification of student athletes as employees.

Recent national events have again thrust law enforcement’s use of force into the spotlight. In Minneapolis, fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents have sparked protests and renewed questions about when officers are legally allowed to use force and what recourse exists when that force crosses the line.

While every situation is different, police use of force in the United States is governed by well-established legal rules rooted in the Constitution.

The Basic Legal Rule: Reasonableness

The Fourth Amendment protects people from “unreasonable” searches and seizures. The U.S. Supreme Court interpreted this protection to mean that police may only use force that is objectively reasonable under the circumstances. In simple terms, the law asks: Would a reasonable officer in the same situation believe that force was necessary at that moment? Officers may only use force when it is needed to gain control of a situation or to protect the safety of officers or others, and only when less forceful options are not reasonably available.

When reviewing a use-of-force incident, courts look at several common factors, including:

• The severity of the suspected crime
• Whether the person posed an immediate threat to the officers or the public
• Whether the suspect was resisting arrest or attempting to flee

Courts look at all the information available to the officer in that moment and even when force is necessary, it must remain proportional to the situation.

Deadly force—force that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury—is subject to the strictest legal limits. Police may only use deadly force when they reasonably believe an individual poses an imminent threat of death or serious physical harm to the officer or to another person. Deadly force cannot be used solely to prevent someone from fleeing, and it generally cannot be used against someone who poses a danger only to themselves or to property.

Modern policing standards emphasize de-escalation tactics and techniques, meaning officers should attempt to calm situations and gain voluntary compliance when it is safe and reasonable to do so before resorting to force.

Officers also have a duty to intervene if they witness another officer using excessive force or otherwise engaging in conduct that violates the Constitution, the law, or departmental policy. Failing to step in can itself create legal liability.

What Counts as Excessive Force?

Excessive force occurs when police use more force than is reasonably necessary for the situation. This may include:

• Using force that greatly exceeds what the circumstances require
• Continuing to use force after a person has been restrained or subdued
• Failing to attempt less forceful alternatives when time and conditions permit
• Using prohibited or dangerous techniques
• Using force as punishment rather than for control or protection

Civil Remedies: What Legal Options Exist?

Excessive force can sometimes lead to criminal charges against an officer. But even if no criminal charges are filed, a person may still have the right to pursue a civil lawsuit for unlawful or excessive force.

Individuals may bring civil rights lawsuits against state or local officers and, in some cases, the government agencies that employ them. These lawsuits can seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, additional damages may be available, and courts may order changes to police policies or training.

Victims may also have claims under state law, such as assault, battery, or wrongful death. These claims vary by state and may be subject to special rules or limits on damages.

When federal officers are involved, different legal pathways apply, including claims against individual officers for constitutional violations and claims against the federal government for wrongful acts committed in the scope of employment.

In many civil rights cases, law enforcement officers raise the defense of qualified immunity, which can shield them from personal liability unless the law clearly established that their conduct was unlawful at the time. The doctrine is intended to allow officers to perform their duties without constant fear of litigation, but it does not protect officers who are plainly incompetent or who knowingly violate the law. Even so, qualified immunity has been widely criticized as it often limits civil claims even when serious injuries occur and remains a significant hurdle in excessive-force litigation. Some states, including Maryland, have enacted laws that restrict certain immunity protections and provide additional avenues for accountability under state law.

Key Takeaway

The rules on police use of force apply to all officers—local, state and federal, including ICE. While agencies may have different policies or training, every officer is bound by the same constitutional limits. Understanding these limits helps the public recognize when force may have crossed the line. Even when the Constitution sets the baseline, civil lawsuits often provide real accountability, transparency and sometimes systemic change.

In an article published by Law360 on January 22, 2026, Veronica Nannis examined major False Claims Act (FCA) trends, verdicts, settlements and initiatives from 2025 – a year that also marked the start of a new presidential administration.

She notes that FCA enforcement remained strong in traditional areas such as healthcare fraud, while newer and more controversial initiatives – particularly those targeting alleged illegal diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and gender-affirming care – also emerged. Overall, she writes, the trend toward litigating FCA cases continues to gain momentum and shows little sign of slowing, with both defendants and relators increasingly willing to take risks.

Veronica also discusses notable jury verdicts and appeals, observing that settlements were far more common. Many of the largest settlements centered on healthcare, including a nationwide takedown in June involving 324 defendants charged with more than $14.6 billion in alleged fraud. Other significant settlements involved tariffs and cybersecurity, with the latter producing several cases likely to pave the way for future enforcement actions.

A key takeaway, Veronica concludes, is that the FCA is alive and well, and while traditional fraud areas continue to be a priority, new initiatives – particularly those tied to civil rights and healthcare ideology — will likely face significant legal challenges.

Read the full article “Key False Claims Act Trends From The Last Year.” (PDF)

Darin Rumer recently achieved a successful appellate result for a mother in a child custody modification case.

The parents, who were not married, shared joint legal custody of their child under a January 2024 court order. That order awarded the mother primary physical custody, with the father exercising parenting time every other weekend. In April 2025, the father filed an emergency motion seeking temporary custody.

Following an emergency hearing, the trial court granted the father’s motion in part and entered an Emergency Custody Order temporarily modifying the existing custody arrangement. Darin filed an appeal on the mother’s behalf to the Appellate Court of Maryland.

On appeal, the appeals court held that the trial court erred by issuing an Emergency Custody Order without first determining whether a material change in circumstances had occurred and whether the requested modification was in the child’s best interests. As a result, the Appellate Court vacated the emergency order and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with its opinion. 

One of the most common sources of confusion for people facing marital conflict in Maryland is the legal terminology. Terms like separation, divorce, litigation, mediation, and settlement are used interchangeably, yet each has a distinct legal meaning and very different consequences. Understanding these differences is essential before making decisions that affect your finances, your children, and your legal rights.

This article explains how these and other terms work in Maryland family law and how they often intersect in your case.

1. What “Separation” Means in Maryland

Unlike some states, Maryland does not have a formal legal status called “legal separation.” In Maryland, separation simply means that spouses are living “separate and apart”, with the intent that the marital relationship has ended. Separation can occur:

• In different residences, or,
• In the same home, if the spouses live independently (often referred to as “separation under the same roof”).

Separation is legally significant because it may:

• Serve as a prerequisite for certain divorce grounds,
• Impact custody and child support arrangements,
• Suggest a date for the division of property in the context of a settlement.

However, separation alone does not end the marriage, divide property, or create enforceable financial obligations unless a court order or agreement exists.

2. Divorce: Absolute vs. Limited Divorce

Maryland only recognizes one type of divorce, an Absolute Divorce. An absolute divorce permanently dissolves the marriage. Once granted, spouses are legally single and free to remarry.

An absolute divorce judgment may address:

• Custody and parenting time
• Child support
• Alimony
• Division of marital property
• Allocation of marital debt

Most people seeking a divorce ultimately pursue an absolute divorce, even if they begin with separation or negotiations.

Prior to the State of Maryland’s legislative change to the grounds for divorce, a limited divorce existed as a “legal separation” whereby temporary orders could be entered to deal with custody, financial support, or use and possession of the family home. Now, limited divorce is no longer a feature of Maryland law.

3. Agreements: Separation Agreements and Settlement Agreements

Many Maryland divorce cases are resolved through written agreements, rather than a contested trial. A separation or marital settlement agreement is a contract between spouses that may address:

• Property division,
• Support obligations,
• Custody and parenting schedules,
• Responsibility for expenses,
• Future dispute resolution.

These agreements can be:

• Executed before a divorce is filed,
• Incorporated into a divorce judgment,
• Enforced as contracts or court orders.

Agreements offer several advantages:

• Greater control over outcomes,
• Reduced cost and emotional strain,
• Privacy (as opposed to public court proceedings).

However, poorly drafted agreements can create long-term problems. Once incorporated into a judgment, modifying them can be difficult.

4. Litigation: When the Court Decides

Litigation occurs when spouses cannot reach agreement and ask the court to decide contested issues. Litigated cases will often include all issues arising out of the marriage. Litigation occurs when one of the spouses files a Complaint for Absolute Divorce with the Court in the county in which you reside. The Complaint may ask the Court for any number of points of relief, including:

• Custody and parenting time,
• Child support or alimony,
• Valuation and division of assets,
• A monetary award,
• Attorneys’ fees.

Because litigation is the formal process of contesting your divorce in the Court, the process includes the common aspects of the court process, such as:

• Pleadings and motions,
• Discovery (financial disclosures, subpoenas, depositions),
• Hearings and trial,
• Judicial rulings based on evidence and testimony.

While litigation is sometimes necessary, particularly in high-conflict or high-asset cases, it is often more expensive, time-consuming, and unpredictable than negotiated resolutions.

Notably, when a case enters the phase of litigation, this does not prevent people from deciding to settle their case and avoiding the continuation of litigation. In fact, a settlement of a case remains possible until the proverbial gavel is dropped by the presiding Judge during a final trial in a case.

5. How These Concepts Work Together in Real Cases

In practice, most Maryland family law cases involve acombination of these elements:

• A couple separates,
• Negotiates some issues by agreement,
• Litigates the left over/most contentious issues,
• Ultimately obtains an absolute divorce.

There is no single “right” path. The appropriate approach depends on:

• The level of conflict,
• Financial complexity,
• Safety concerns,
• Whether children are involved,
• Each party’s willingness to negotiate in good faith.

It is critically important to not compare your case to a family or friend’s prior case. While divorce cases can often follow a similar path, each family’s unique set of facts and emotions make each and every case distinct.

6. Why Legal Guidance Matters Early

Misunderstanding these family law terms can lead to costly mistakes, such as assuming separation alone provides legal protection or signing an agreement without understanding its long-term implications. Speaking with a Maryland family law attorney early can help you:

• Understand your options,
• Choose the right process for your situation,
• Avoid unnecessary litigation,
• Protect your financial and parental rights.

Final Thoughts

Separation, divorce, agreements, and litigation are tools, not outcomes. Knowing how they differ and how they interact allows you to make informed and strategic decisions during what will inevitably prove to be one of the most difficult periods of time in your life. If you are considering separation or divorce, a consultation can help clarify next steps and put you on a path that aligns with your goals.

Super Lawyers has named 13 attorneys from JGL’s Maryland offices to its 2026 Maryland Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. In addition, Lindsay Parvis was named to the Top 100 Super Lawyers list in Maryland and the Top 50 Women Super Lawyers list in Maryland.

Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers in over 70 practice areas, who have achieved a high degree of professional achievement and peer recognition. The annual selection process combines independent research, peer nominations and evaluations, with no more than five percent of each state’s attorneys named to the Super Lawyers list and no more than 2.5 percent named to the Rising Stars list.

The following attorneys were named to the 2026 Super Lawyers list:

Greenbelt, MD

• Andy Greenwald – Medical Malpractice
• Jay P. Holland – Employment & Labor
• Timothy F. Maloney – General Litigation
• Steven M. Pavsner – Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff

Rockville, MD

• David M. Bulitt – Family Law
• Jeffrey N. Greenblatt – Family Law
• Lindsay Parvis – Family Law

The following attorneys were named to the 2026 Super Lawyers Rising Stars list:

Rising Stars

• Bridget Cardinale – Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
• Christopher R. Castellano – Family Law
• Virginia B. Grimm – Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
• Kaitlin Leary – Employment & Labor
• Alyse Prawde – Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
• Kevin S. Redden – Business Litigation

David Bulitt has been named “Best Family Attorney” by Potomac Lifestyle. Chosen by the publication’s readers, The Best Businesses in Potomac 2026 list celebrates the area’s businesses, people and places.

A family lawyer since 1986, David brings deep experience to clients navigating complex and emotionally challenging matters. He is consistently listed among Maryland’s top family law attorneys, has co-authored two award-winning relationship books, is a frequent media contributor and a podcast host.

Since the Trump administration increased immigration enforcement, both noncitizens and U.S. citizens have faced greater risks of detention. While being in the U.S. unlawfully is a civil offense, the consequences of enforcement are real and immediate.

In Maryland, that risk has become more visible in recent months. Kilmar Armando Ábrego García, a Maryland resident, was wrongfully deported to El Salvador and later detained again by ICE after returning to the U.S. A few months later, video footage from Hyattsville, Maryland went viral, showing Job Arias-Mendoza being arrested by ICE in the middle of an intersection and an officer appearing to point his gun toward bystanders. These headlines have raised community concerns about law enforcement’s use of force and the role of immigration agents in local policing.

Across Maryland, law enforcement agencies are taking varied approaches to ICE. In October 2025, Baltimore County signed an agreement with ICE, consenting to notify them when individuals in local custody are about to be released. Meanwhile, Wicomico County recently paused its plan to adopt an agreement that would authorize local law enforcement offices to act as ICE agents. This pause came after Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown issued a guidance clarifying that local law enforcement cannot conduct “civil immigration enforcement.” The guidance specifies that Maryland officers may not ask for a suspect’s immigration status or extend a suspect’s detention to determine their status; must identify themselves by name and badge number and cite a reason when making a stop; and must adhere to state use of force standards, among other rules.

According to the immigrant rights group CASA, Maryland law enforcement agencies have transferred 119 immigrants from local jails into ICE custody in 2025 alone. ICE arrests are growing more aggressive and divisive throughout the U.S. With local law enforcement increasingly working alongside ICE, it’s important for residents, both citizens and non-citizens, to understand their legal rights.

Know Your Rights: If You Are Detained by Local Authorities or ICE

1. Create a Safety Plan
   • Identify your emergency contacts and memorize their phone numbers.
   • Provide your child’s school or day care with an emergency contact.
   • Share your immigration number with trusted family or friends so they can locate you using ICE’s online detainee locator.
2. Stay Calm
   • Do not run, argue, resist, or fight.
   • Keep your hands visible and notify officers before reaching for items.
   • Do not lie or provide false documents.
3. Ask Questions
   • Confirm whether the officer is local police or ICE and request their badge number.
   • Ask if you are being arrested or detained, and if not, whether you may leave.
   • Request to see any warrant or documentation justifying your detention.
4. Exercise Your Rights: All persons in the United States have constitutional protections, not just U.S. citizens.
   • Right to Remain Silent: You do not have to answer questions about your immigrant status, birthplace, or citizenship. Only provide your name, and if in a vehicle, license, registration, and proof of insurance. Passengers may refuse to provide ID.
   • Right to Refuse Searches: Officers need your consent or probable cause to search you or your belongings. Police may conduct a limited pat-down without your consent, if they suspect a weapon.
   • At Your Door: Keep your door closed. You do not need to let officers in unless they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Administrative or deportation warrants do not authorize entry without your consent.
   • Right to a Lawyer: Request legal counsel immediately. Do not sign documents without consulting a lawyer. If detained by ICE, you have the right to consult with a lawyer, but the government is not required to provide one for you.
   • If you are a non-citizen: You have the right to contact your consulate or have an officer inform the consulate of your detention.
   • If you are a U.S. citizen or have lawful immigration status: Show your passport, legal permanent resident card, work permit, or other documentation of your status. If you are over the age of 18, you should always carry your papers with you.
5. Document Rights Violations
   • Write down everything: time, place, people involved (names and badge numbers), agencies, what was said, etc.
   • Photograph any injuries and seek medical care immediately.
   • Notify your attorney and consider filing a formal complaint.

Know Your Rights: If You Witness an ICE or Local Law Enforcement Arrest

1. Stay Safe
   • Do not physically interfere.
   • Walk calmly and speak respectfully.
2. Stay Observant
   • Record or photograph from a safe distance.
   • Capture identifying details: agent names, badge numbers, car make and model, etc.
   • If officers ask you to step back, do so but you can keep recording. You have a First Amendment right to record law enforcement actions in public spaces.
3. Offer Support
   • You have a First Amendment right to talk to the person being detained. Verbally remind the detained person of their rights without obstructing officers.
   • Call their family or emergency contacts if possible.
4. Keep Your Doors Closed
   • If officers come to your home or work looking for an individual, you do not have to let them in unless they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Administrative or deportation warrants do not authorize entry without your consent.
   • If officers insist on entering, do not physically interfere. Contact local police or security to address the situation.
5. Report the Incident
   • Collect witness contact information and statements.
   • Share your recording or notes with civil rights or immigrant justice organizations.

At Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, we recognize the stress, fear, and uncertainty that can arise from encounters with law enforcement or ICE. We believe understanding your rights is the foundation of justice. If you suspect your rights were violated, we encourage you to reach out to a trusted civil rights attorney for representation.

Michal Shinnar has been selected by The National Trial Lawyers as one of its NTL – Civil Plaintiff – Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Maryland.

This honor is extended to a select group of attorneys who demonstrate outstanding qualifications, exceptional trial results, and leadership within civil plaintiff or criminal defense practice. Membership in The National Trial Lawyers (NTL) Top 100 is by invitation only and highlights the nation’s most accomplished trial lawyers.

Senior Counsel at JGL, Michal’s practice includes all aspects of employment law, including discrimination, disability accommodations, employment contracts, non-competes, severance agreements, and wage and hour disputes. She was a member of the litigation team that won the highly publicized $43.8 million settlement in Breen v. FAA, which made history as the highest settlement in an age discrimination case against the federal government. 

In an article published by The Legal Intelligencer on November 25, 2025, Drew LaFramboise discusses the risks and rights of workers involved in industrial fires and explosions.  

Regardless of their severity or type of injury, an employee who is unfortunately (and sometimes tragically) exposed to a fire or explosion at the workplace will have a host of immediate concerns, Drew explains, such as how their medical care will be covered, whether they’re financially responsible or at risk, and if they have any legal rights to pursue the responsible parties.

Drew writes that workers who are exposed to the risk of fire and explosion should know that in the event of an injury, they have a few core rights that will be central to their recovery and peace of mind. These include workers’ compensation benefits, third party liability, and freedom from discrimination or retaliation.

Suffering injury due to a fire or explosion on the job can be harrowing and life-altering Drew notes; however, injured workers are not without rights, and systems are in place to help workers recover their health, pursue justice and ensure that they can continue to move forward.

Read the full article “Workers’ Rights After an Industrial Fire or Explosion.” (PDF)

The holidays are supposed to be magical, but for separated or divorced parents, they can also be a minefield of schedules, expectations, and hurt feelings. In this episode of JGL LAW FOR YOU, family law attorneys and JGL principals David Bulitt and Christopher Castellano discuss how to navigate Thanksgiving, winter break, Christmas, and spring break in a way that keeps the focus where it belongs: on your kids.

David and Christopher dig into the real friction points they see every year in their practice: last-minute schedule changes, split holidays, travel plans, gift-giving “arms races,” and the challenges of two households with very different resources and traditions. They offer practical strategies for communicating with your co-parent, honoring old traditions while creating new ones, managing expectations with your children, and staying flexible when life (or the school calendar) doesn’t cooperate.

Whether you’re in the middle of a divorce, recently separated, or years into co-parenting, this conversation will help you plan ahead, reduce conflict, and build holiday memories your children will want to remember.

The Anti-Fraud Coalition (TAF) recently published the article “State False Claims Acts,” which was edited by JGL attorney Gia Grimm. The article provides an overview of the federal False Claims Act (FCA) – a law that empowers private citizens to help recover government funds lost to fraud. With more than $78 billion recovered since 1986, the FCA remains one of the nation’s most effective anti-fraud tools.

Building on this foundation, the article explains how 33 states and territories have enacted their own FCAs, many of which mirror the federal law but include important distinctions. Some states have both general and Medicaid-specific FCAs, while others allow whistleblower actions involving private insurance or even tax fraud. As these statutes expand, they offer additional avenues for recovery and often provide valuable investigatory resources that can strengthen whistleblower cases.

As editor of the piece, Gia Grimm underscores the practical and strategic importance of considering state FCAs whenever public funds are involved. Properly navigating state procedures, coordinating with state officials, and understanding varying statutory requirements can significantly enhance outcomes for whistleblowers. The article highlights how state and federal collaboration can maximize recoveries and ensure comprehensive accountability for fraud affecting public programs.

Read the article “State False Claims Acts” on the TAF Coalition website.