The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State’s legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland’s 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness.
The State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) plays a vital role in Maryland’s tax and property landscape. It is responsible for assessing all real property across the state’s 23 counties and Baltimore City, and for determining eligibility for property tax credits and exemptions. Beyond real property, SDAT also handles the assessment of business personal property and the operating property of public utilities and railroads. The agency administers the franchise tax on public utilities and oversees the agricultural transfer tax.
SDAT also houses a Business Services Division, which serves as the official public repository for corporate and legal entity documents, as well as financing statements filed under the Uniform Commercial Code. This division ensures transparency and accessibility for businesses operating in Maryland.
The legal team at SDAT is a small but highly collaborative group, consisting of three attorneys and one administrative assistant, all based in the historic Candler Building in downtown Baltimore. The team values communication and teamwork, often discussing cases and legal issues together, even while managing individual responsibilities. It’s a collegial environment where collaboration is encouraged and legal strategy is often shaped through shared insight.
Responsibilities
We are currently seeking an attorney to join this dynamic team. The successful candidate will primarily serve as a litigator, representing SDAT in high-value property valuation and exemption cases before the Maryland Tax Court and throughout the state’s judicial system. This role involves managing all phases of litigation—from discovery and pre-trial motions to settlement negotiations and trial advocacy.
In addition to litigation duties, the attorney will provide daily legal counsel to SDAT on a wide range of matters. These include property tax appraisals, exemptions, credits, transfer taxes, account records, charter filings, and legislative issues. The ideal candidate will have experience with—or a strong interest in—real property law, including deed interpretation, sales transactions, and ownership structures. Occasionally, the role may also involve advising on employment disputes and procurement matters.
This position requires regular appearances before the Maryland Tax Court, located at 300 W. Preston Street in Baltimore, with additional hearings held in Rockville and Centreville. The attorney should also be prepared to travel to jurisdictions across the state for court appearances or meetings with local SDAT offices.
Qualifications
A minimum of four (4) years of substantive criminal, civil or commercial litigation experience (other experience in clerkships or outside of litigation will be considered to meet this preference). The ideal candidate should also demonstrate superior writing and research skills, and excellent organizational and problem-solving skills. Preferably, the ideal candidate would have experience (or interest in) in property valuation (both residential and commercial), including but not limited to, knowledge of real property appraisal using the income approach to valuation. Experience in real estate transactions, real property taxation, and related tax and property law is also preferred. Maryland Bar membership or the eligibility to waive in is required.
SALARY: This position offers a salary range of $97,972 – $138,146, with potential for advancement up to $152,528 over time based on longevity and increased responsibilities. Initial salary offers are determined by qualifications, experience, equity, and available budget, and will not exceed $138,146.
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: The successful candidate will be eligible for subsidized health benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage) and life insurance; leave, including annual (vacation), personal, sick, and paid parental leave; and will be eligible for participation in a contributory defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after ten years. State employees are eligible to participate in two supplemental retirement plans: the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and the 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan. The State also offers a free mass transit benefit for local bus and express bus services.
Application Process
Interested persons should email a cover letter, resume, writing sample and list of three references, one of whom must be a current or previous supervisor, to Vincent Guida, Principal Counsel at Vincent.guida@maryland.gov, with a copy to Lisa Allinson, Management Associate at lisa.allinson@maryland.gov, by October 12, 2025. Please write “Assistant Attorney General – SDAT” in the subject line of the email.
