Ian Round
Verified
back in baltimore covering legal affairs @mddailyrecord. iround@thedailyrecord.com.
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Ian Round
MD assisted living escape, hypothermia death prompt $4M awarded in damages
Key takeaways: Montgomery County jury awards $4 million in damages Nyakno Udo escaped from La Familia Assisted Living Facility was uninsured and is now closed Daughters thus unlikely to collect damages A Montgomery County jury awarded $4 million in damages last month to the family of a woman who escaped from her assisted living facility and was found dead of hypothermia days later. The Rockville facility, La Familia Assisted Living, is now closed.
Baltimore attorney disbarred for repeated misconduct
Key takeaways: Roland Patrick Brown disbarred by Maryland Supreme Court Brown failed to file habeas corpus petition Brown missed trial after traveling to Caribbean Judge Troy Hill cited persistent pattern of misconduct A Baltimore attorney has been disbarred for repeated misconduct, including for failing to appear for a client’s trial and for failing to file a petition for habeas corpus and a motion to dismiss.
Question 3 isn’t everything: Other MD, local referendums that passed
Key takeaways: Maryland approves Question 1 for binding arbitration in state worker contracts Question 2 passed to allow temporary appointments on judicial misconduct commission Howard County won’t change pronoun language Baltimore County voters approved most referendums The approval of Maryland’s Question 3, which makes it easier for Democrats to draw congressional districts to benefit their party, received by far the most attention from Maryland voters and media.
Former Annapolis CEO charged with fraud after alleged wealth adviser identity theft
Key takeaways: Adam Rundle charged with securities fraud by DOJ Rundle allegedly stole $1.5 million from investor using fake identity SEC sued Rundle for allegedly faking investment documents and emails A former Annapolitan was charged last week with fraud for allegedly assuming a wealth adviser’s identity and stealing $1.5 million from a client, about two months after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sued him for the same scheme.
Vanessa Atterbeary declares victory in Howard County executive race
Former Maryland Del. Vanessa Atterbeary has declared victory in the race for Howard County executive Tuesday. The Democrat was confident she beat Green Party candidate Nater Kane just minutes after polls closed at 8 p.m. and before any returns were announced by the Maryland State Board of Elections. She would take office next month. “My name is Vanessa Atterbeary, and I’m deeply honored to be elected to serve as the next county executive in Howard County,” she said at Gov.
Montgomery County student’s school shooting novel counts as threat, court rules
Key takeaways: Alex Ye convicted of misdemeanor threat to commit mass violence Novel depicted an almost school shooter with homicidal ideations Court ruled Ye’s statements constituted a true threat under First Amendment Conviction upheld by Appellate Court The Appellate Court of Maryland last week upheld a conviction for an alleged school shooting threat in a case that revolved around a work of fiction written by the teenage defendant.
Anne Arundel, Prince George’s judicial elections are MD’s most expensive
Key takeaways: Anne Arundel judicial race spending nears $300,000 Elizabeth Adams challenges incumbents Sidney Butcher and Ginina Jackson-Stevenson on Anne Arundel Circuit Court Prince George’s slate committee raised over $109,000 to support incumbents Candidates in a contested judicial race in Anne Arundel County and an uncontested slate of nine incumbents in Prince George’s County have spent hundreds of thousands on their 2026 campaigns.
FBI official supported MD’s officer mask ban before helping sue to stop it
Key takeaways: Jimmy Paul voted for Maryland’s anti-mask policy as part of police rules commission Paul later declared policy endangered FBI agents’ safety Maryland law took effect Oct. 1 with badge and face rules Trump administration sued Maryland and counties over policy Shortly before saying in court that a ban on law enforcement officers wearing masks would put his staff’s lives in danger, Maryland’s top FBI official threw his support behind the policy.
Forgetting to register as sex offender isn’t valid excuse, MD court says
Key takeaways: Maryland Supreme Court upholds Andre Jerome Hammond conviction Court rules forgetting does not negate duty to register as sex offender Justice Shirley Watts emphasizes knowledge despite personal hardship Forgetting is not a valid excuse for failing to register as a sex offender, the Supreme Court of Maryland ruled Monday.
University of Maryland, Baltimore closes crime victim services center
Key takeaways: University of Maryland, Baltimore closes ROAR Center ROAR Center funding cut by over a third under Victims of Crime Act ROAR served hundreds of gun violence victims and families EMBRACE Initiative to assume most ROAR services except legal representation The University of Maryland, Baltimore closed a center that provided legal help, counseling and other services to victims of violent crime but says it will continue to provide those services.
MD AG loses suit that argued ICE ‘stonewalled’ subpoena
Key takeaways: Judge Julie Rubin grants ICE motion to dismiss lawsuit Maryland AG Anthony Brown files subpoena over ICE hold room conditions Court finds Maryland law does not authorize subpoena of federal agency ICE ordered to end overcrowding in Baltimore hold rooms previously The Maryland Office of the Attorney General lost a lawsuit Thursday alleging that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement illegally ignored a subpoena.
MD law schools celebrate 90% bar passage for first-timers
Maryland’s two law schools are celebrating their graduates’ results on the July bar exam, as at least 90% of first-time test-takers passed — the best passage rate in at least a decade for both schools. Alumni of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and the University of Baltimore School of Law both outperformed national and state averages for first-timers and those who retook the test after failing at least once.
Anne Arundel state’s attorney has no firewall from murder case, though forbidden from trying it
Key takeaways: Appellate Court rules no firewall needed between Anne Arundel State’s Attorney Leitess and prosecutors Leitess disqualified from murder case due to potential need to testify as witness Case paused nearly a year and a half before trial Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess can discuss a high-profile murder case with prosecutors, despite being forbidden from trying the case herself, the Appellate Court of Maryland ruled Friday.
Annapolis accounting firm held in civil contempt
An Annapolis accounting firm was held in civil contempt in Maryland federal court Wednesday for failing to comply with subpoenas from the U.S. Department of Labor. In December, the Labor Department issued two subpoenas to Fidelis Tax and Accounting as part of an investigation into its management of its employees’ 401(k) plan.
Methodist Church dispute over LGBTQ policies to be resolved internally, MD court rules
A dispute arising from the recent schism in the United Methodist Church is not for secular courts to decide, the Maryland Appellate Court ruled last week. Thirty-seven Baltimore-area United Methodist churches — and thousands nationwide — left the UMC as it moved to allow gay people to serve as clergy and to allow clergy to perform same-sex marriages.
MD hires private law firm to defend Moore in lawsuit by Sun owner David Smith
The Maryland Board of Public Works on Wednesday approved a contract with a private law firm to defend Gov. Wes Moore in a defamation lawsuit brought by Baltimore Sun owner David Smith. The state’s spending board approved up to $50,000 for the Washington, D.C., firm Foley Hoag to represent Moore during the motion-to-dismiss stage of the lawsuit. Attorneys will be paid $700 per hour and support staff will be paid $250 per hour, according to the BPW meeting agenda.
Owings Mills HOA harassed Black renters, suit alleges
Key takeaways: Three Black mothers sued Queen Anne Village Association Lawsuit alleges harassment and fines targeting voucher-holders Zico Realty joins suit opposing HOA treatment of renters Members of an Owings Mills homeowners’ association repeatedly followed, harassed, recorded and improperly fined Black residents who pay part of their rent with housing vouchers, a lawsuit filed Monday alleges.
Anne Arundel Orphans’ Court judge defends self during MD Supreme Court removal hearing
Key takeaways: Maryland Supreme Court hears removal arguments for Judge Vickie Gipson Judge faces discipline over conflict with Marc Knapp Commission on Judicial Disabilities recommends removal Gipson did not run for reelection The Maryland Supreme Court heard arguments Monday for the removal of Anne Arundel County Orphans’ Court Judge Vickie Gipson — about two months before her career on the bench concludes.
With Baltimore IG’s server access restored by mayor, what’s left to litigate?
The Baltimore Office of the Inspector General has returned to its investigative status quo after Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration restored its access to city servers this week, but that doesn’t mean their legal fight is over. Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming can — for now, at least — resume the work of uncovering waste and fraud in city government, which she says had been nearly impossible since January.
MD Health Department fined $4.7M so far for delayed psychiatric care
Key takeaways: Maryland Department of Health likely to pay $342,606 in fines Fines relate to delays in psychiatric care for seven defendants Maryland Supreme Court upheld judges’ authority to impose sanctions The Daily Record obtained court orders through public records request The state is scheduled to approve a payment of $342,606 in sanctions after the Maryland Department of Health failed to provide prompt psychiatric care to criminal defendants, an ongoing issue that the department says...
MD settled defamation suit against public defender’s office for $200K
Key takeaways: Maryland agrees to $200,000 settlement in defamation suit Lawsuit filed by former public defender employee Judge orders retraction of accusations Settlement approved by state treasurer’s office The state of Maryland agreed to pay $200,000 to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by a former employee of the Office of the Public Defender who says she was fired without basis.
Police need warrant for cell-site simulators, 4th Circuit rules
Key takeaways: Fourth circuit requires warrant for cell-site simulators Judge Nicole Berner likens tech to sense-enhancing devices Maryland law already mandates warrants for such searches Baltimore man Kerron Andrews central to legal developments Police must obtain a warrant before using a cell-site simulator to reveal a suspect’s location, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled last week.
MD lawyer scolded for fake citations after past AI issues
Key takeaways: Donald Quinn ordered by judge to explain false brief citations Brief filed in December 2025 workplace discrimination case Judge AliKhan calls it possible violation of D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct A Severna Park attorney is once again in hot water for filing a brief that included numerous false citations A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday ordered Donald Quinn, a managing partner of Quinn Patton, to explain why he should not be sanctioned for citing several...
MD public defender settles defamation case with fired staffer
Key takeaways: Maryland public defender settled defamation lawsuit Former staffer had been fired after stalking accusations without investigation Consent order prohibits OPD from sharing false accusations Settlement requires cooperation with bar and job applications The Maryland Office of the Public Defender has settled a defamation lawsuit brought by a former staffer who was fired after being baselessly accused of stalking and of posing a violent threat.
Baltimore mayor appeals order restoring IG’s records access
Key takeaways: Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott files notice of appeal Judge Pamela White orders compliance with IG subpoenas Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming granted access to city records City law department argues legal protections ignored by order The administration of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is appealing a judge’s order requiring it to comply with subpoenas from the inspector general and to restore the IG’s direct access to city records.
MD lacks power to grant in-state tuition to undocumented students, Trump admin argues
The Trump administration argued in a Friday motion that federal law prevents Maryland from offering the in-state college tuition rate to undocumented students. In a motion for summary judgment filed Sept. 18, the Department of Justice argued that Maryland inflicted “irreparable injury” on the nation by enacting immigration policy and providing benefits to undocumented immigrants for which U.S. citizens who don’t live in Maryland are ineligible.
Wrongfully convicted man sues Baltimore Police
Key takeaways: Tarrone Barfield spent over 26 years wrongfully convicted Baltimore police accused of suppressing and fabricating evidence Maryland Board of Public Works awarded Barfield $2.7 million Complaint filed in Maryland U.S. District Court on Sept. 17 A man who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent more than 26 years behind bars sued the Baltimore Police Department on Thursday for malicious prosecution and false imprisonment.
Phones, devices further restricted in MD federal court under new order
The use of cellphones and other electronic devices will be further restricted in Maryland U.S. District Court under a standing order issued Wednesday. The order, signed Sept. 16 by Chief Judge George Russell III, requires most visitors to check their phones, laptops, tablets, smart watches and other devices into a lockbox upon entry to the building. It takes effect Nov. 2, and applies to both U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Baltimore must comply with subpoenas from inspector general, judge rules
The administration of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott must comply with subpoenas issued by Inspector General Isabel Cumming and must restore her office’s access to internal servers, a judge ruled Wednesday. Baltimore City Circuit Judge Pamela White on Sept. 16 said she would grant summary judgment to the Office of the Inspector General in a ruling that upholds the office’s independence from the mayor and its authority to access documents.
Police accountability board member sues Baltimore mayor over removal policy
Jesmond Riggins is an outspoken advocate for the independence of the Police Accountability Board. (Submitted photo) A member of Baltimore‘s Police Accountability Board is challenging a move by Mayor Brandon Scott that would give him the power to replace almost all of its members at once.
SEC: Man stole Annapolis wealth adviser’s identity in $1.5M fraud scheme
Key takeaways: Annapolis man accused of identity theft and fraud Adam Rundle allegedly created fake email and forged documents CleverProfits cooperates with authorities after Rundle’s departure The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday accused a man of stealing the identity of an Annapolis wealth adviser as part of a scheme to defraud a woman out of $1.5 million. In a civil complaint filed Sept.
Independent plans write-in campaign in Prince George’s after losing ballot access case
Key takeaways: Moisette Sweat registered as write-in candidate for Prince George’s County executive Maryland Supreme Court affirmed ballot signature rejection Sweat failed to meet 6,531 valid signature threshold Sweat represented herself in legal challenge An independent is planning a write-in campaign for Prince George’s County executive after her effort to get on the ballot as an independent failed due to a lack of valid signatures.
DHS must pay $165K after wrongful deportation, judge rules in MD
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security must pay almost $165,000 in attorneys’ fees and expenses for the wrongful deportation of a Venezuelan man to a notorious prison in El Salvador, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. Maryland U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher ordered the department to pay for the litigation costs after it deported a Venezuelan immigrant in violation of a settlement agreement in a class-action lawsuit.
Montgomery County fighting release of true-crime show’s subject
Key takeaways: Raminder Kaur’s murder conviction vacated by federal judge Judge George Russell III cited use of privileged attorney-client information Prosecutors Robert Dean and Kirsten Brown oppose Kaur’s release Baldeo Taneja seemingly confessed to murder on show, but prosecutors question credibility Prosecutors are opposing the release of a true-crime show’s subject whose murder conviction was vacated by a judge this summer.
Washington Commanders must pay workers’ comp claim from injured former player, court says
Key takeaways: Curtis Brooks injured on third day of 2023 preseason practices Maryland Appellate Court ruled Brooks is covered employee Commanders incorporated in Maryland with home games in Landover Court cited 2012 ruling on Darnerien McCants for precedent The Washington Commanders must pay the workers’ compensation claim of a former player who was injured just days into training camp in 2023, the Appellate Court of Maryland ruled last week.
Redistricting case: MD Supreme Court hears arguments
Key takeaways: Maryland Supreme Court hears two redistricting cases Assistant Attorney General Daniel Kobrin defends ballot question Republican plaintiffs cite missed legislative deadlines ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday about a proposed ballot question that could give Democratic lawmakers more power over congressional redistricting.
$5.1K fines for immigrants spark lawsuit in MD against Trump administration
Key takeaways: Five immigrants sue DHS over $5,130 fines Lawsuit filed in Maryland federal court Plaintiffs represented by The Legal Aid Society, Public Justice and Brown, Goldstein & Levy Fines challenged as unlawful retroactive penalties A proposed class-action lawsuit filed Monday accuses the Trump administration of unlawfully assessing an “inadmissible alien apprehension fee” for over $5,000 on noncitizens as young as 14.
Juvenile records can be admitted in criminal cases under gun exception, MD court rules
Key takeaways: Maryland Appellate Court rules juvenile records admissible under limited exception Luis Ivan Marquez convicted of second-degree murder and illegal firearm possession Judge Joseph Getty highlights conflict between juvenile record confidentiality and gun laws Some juvenile records can be admitted in adult criminal proceedings under a “limited exception,” the Appellate Court of Maryland ruled last week.
Prince George’s landlord that agreed to historic settlement won’t face new class-action
Key takeaways: Federal judge Adam Abelson denies class certification motion Heather Hill Apartments accused of black mold and rodent infestations Maryland OAG secured $11 million settlement for tenants Plaintiff Charlene Hall alleges health problems from mold exposure A federal judge declined last week to certify a class in a lawsuit against a Prince George’s County landlord that faced historic penalties last year by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.
Judges can’t direct order of defendants’ admissions to psych hospitals, MD Supreme Court rules
Key takeaways: Maryland Supreme Court rules on psychiatric hospital admissions Judges cannot order defendants admitted in chronological order Department of Health can rely on acuity screenings Baltimore County courts sanctioned MDH over admissions Trial courts can’t order the Maryland Department of Health to admit criminal defendants to psychiatric hospitals in a certain order, the Maryland Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. In a significant ruling last month in the case of MDH v.
Baltimore holding facility remains overcrowded, lawyers say, as ICE prepares Elkridge move
Immigrant detention facilities in downtown Baltimore remain overcrowded despite a court order directing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to improve conditions, according to lawyers for current and former detainees.
Key Bridge collapse: Most claims by Baltimore City, County dismissed
Key takeaways: Judge James Bredar limits liability in Key Bridge collapse litigation Baltimore City can claim damage to water main under Potomac River Baltimore County may sue for damage to waterways and shoreline Economic loss claims by businesses and individuals dismissed A Maryland federal judge on Tuesday significantly narrowed the lawsuit over the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, denying most claims brought by Baltimore City, Baltimore County and others.
More records on cooperating witnesses would be sealed in MD under proposed order
Key takeaways: Maryland federal judges propose standing order on cooperators All sentencing memorandums and plea agreements would be accompanied by a sealed supplement Part of every plea hearing and sentencing hearing would be sealed from public Unsealed portions could not refer to cooperation Public comments due by Oct. 19 on proposed order Some information about government cooperators in criminal cases would be kept secret under a standing order proposed by Maryland’s federal judges.
New bar exam sees rocky rollout in MD and beyond, but some prefer format
The long-awaited NextGen bar exam got off to a rocky start last month, with the three jurisdictions with the most test-takers, including Maryland, facing delays in the first administration of the new test. The delay was resolved fairly quickly, according to Micah Yarbrough, director of bar preparation at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, because the Maryland State Board of Law Examiners had reserved “loaner” laptops in case of emergency.
MD attorney’s lawsuit against judge overseeing his divorce should be thrown out, magistrate says
A lawsuit by an attorney against a state judge who sanctioned him should be dismissed, a federal magistrate judge recommended Aug. 7. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Sullivan wrote that Baltimore attorney Nathan Charles’ lawsuit against Montgomery County Circuit Judge Louis Leibowitz should be thrown out because federal judges don’t have jurisdiction to review the orders of state-court judges.
Pharmacist pay lawsuit naming Hopkins, Bethesda association tossed
Key takeaways: Judge Deborah Boardman dismisses antitrust lawsuit Plaintiffs were pharmacy residents in four states Allegations ASHP and hospitals such as Johns Hopkins Case dismissed without prejudice with Sept. 11 deadline A Maryland federal judge on Wednesday threw out a proposed class-action antitrust lawsuit alleging that early career pharmacists’ wages were suppressed by hospitals nationwide.
Baltimore sues prediction markets as 4th Circuit weighs state case
Baltimore sued prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi in separate lawsuits alleging the platforms’ sports betting features violate the city’s consumer protection ordinance. Filed Thursday in Baltimore City Circuit Court, the lawsuits accuse the prediction markets of engaging in misleading and unfair trade practices. The suit against Kalshi also targets three other firms — Robinhood, Webull and Coinbase — that have partnered with the prediction market on sports wagering.
Judges don’t have to recuse if sued by litigant, MD ethics committee rules
Key takeaways: Maryland Judicial Ethics Committee issued ruling on recusal Judges must recuse when they feel unable to remain impartial They are not required to sit through these cases Judges don’t necessarily have to recuse themselves from cases in which a litigant has sued them or filed a disciplinary complaint against them, the Maryland Judicial Ethics Committee ruled Monday.
MD attorney’s lawsuit against judge should be thrown out, magistrate says
Key takeaways: U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Sullivan issues lawsuit dismissal recommendation Attorney Nathan Charles sued Judge Louis Leibowitz over sanctions Rooker-Feldman doctrine cited A lawsuit by an attorney against a state judge who sanctioned him should be dismissed, a federal magistrate judge recommended Friday.
Blind contractors win lawsuit against Trump administration in MD court
Key takeaways: Judge George Russell III reverses Trump administration decision Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested contract limitation for blind vendors Education Secretary Linda McMahon waived Randolph-Sheppard Act priority Baltimore law firm Brown, Goldstein & Levy represented plaintiffs A group of blind business owners and advocacy groups won a lawsuit against the Trump administration last week as a judge blocked a decision that deprioritized them from food-service contracts on Army...
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Ian
Contact Ian, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack