Meet Emeka Onwezi

G. Emeka Onwezi is a skilled attorney who, who practices in areas such as bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, criminal defense, civil litigation, construction law, tax litigation, Wills and Trusts.
In addition to his experience as a licensed attorney in all the state and federal courts in Maryland and Washington, D.C., Mr. Onwezi mentors younger attorneys and law students.  Mr. Onwezi joined OAU Law Group LLC as a partner, after being a sole practitioner for four year.  Prior to that, he was an associate at Odelugo & Johnson, LLC (Formerly, Odelugo & Associates PLLC) and also a Judicial Law Clerk for the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

Mr. Onwezi obtained his Jurist Doctorate degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in May 2003 with distinction and his Bachelor of Arts from University of Maryland, College Park.  Mr. Onwezi served in the United States Marine Corps for four years active duty and six year inactive duty.  He was honorably discharged in the United States military in 1996.  With his military experience and legal experience, Mr. Onwezi represents his clients aggressively and professionally.

Mr. Onwezi is a member of Bankruptcy Bar Association of Maryland, American Bar Association, Maryland Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar Association, Nigerian American Lawyers Association, and J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association.

Mr. Onwezi is an avid sports fan and also enjoys traveling.  He is a 4th degree member of the Knight of Columbus.

Contact

G. Emeka Onwezi, Esquire
OAU Law Group LLC
9500 Arena Drive, Suite 436
Largo, Maryland 20774
(301) 281-0030 (Tel)
(240) 582-5276 (Fax)
Licensed in Maryland and DC Only

Meet Ingrid Turner

Growing up in Prince George’s County as the daughter of an Army Colonel and an educator, Ingrid learned the importance of service and treating people fair.  She attended Prince George’s County public schools and graduated from Elizabeth Seton High School.  Later, after she graduated from the United States Naval Academy, Ingrid earned an MBA from Golden Gate University and a law degree from Catholic University, Columbus School of law.  Ingrid was honored to become a member of the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps and after 20 years in the military, she retired with a record of distinguished service.  But Ingrid wanted to do more to serve the community.  Ingrid ran for office and was elected to the Prince George’s County Council in 2006.  In 2011, she was unanimously elected to serve as Chair.  Today, Ingrid is running for Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge.
“I believe this is a critical time in our nation and community where judicial reform is desperately needed.  I bring a diverse background with an understanding of the need to be firm, but fair.  I will be a judge who runs a problem-solving court that works in effective ways with everyone who comes before me.  When your son, brother, sister, daughter, husband, or wife comes before me, I am going to give them a fair shake.”

The Right Experience

• Judge Advocate General’s Corps Officer rising to the rank of Commander in the U.S. Navy.
• Prosecutor. Hospital Attorney. Administrative Law Attorney.
• Family law, consumer protection, landlord tenant, contracts, estate planning, federal tort claims.
• Inspected legal offices responsible for prosecution, defense counsel, the judiciary, federal tort claims and legal assistance.
• Attorney for Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf commands and installations.
• Deputy managing attorney for 14 major commands and over 40 units worldwide employing over 1,000 military and civilian personnel.
• Director, Department of the Navy, Office of the Judge Advocate General.
• Prince George’s County Council Chair elected unanimously by her peers.
• Chair of the District Council.
• Chair of the Board of Health.
• Involved in the Community – Active member of boards, organizations and associations.

The Right Values

• Ingrid Turner will judge each case on its merits and apply equal justice under the law.
• Ingrid Turner will give everyone a fair shake.
• Ingrid Turner will respect all individuals who enter the courtroom and ensure a fair trial for all.
• Ingrid Turner is from the community.  She listens to the community and heard the community loud and clear: judicial reform is needed.
• Ingrid Turner will keep an open door by providing effective communication between the bench and the community.

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Public Service Announcement brought to you by the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition

Meet Marceline White, Executive Director

Marceline brings more than 20 years of management, fundraising, advocacy, research, and organizing experience to her position. In addition to consumer issues, Marceline has written and advocated on international trade, gender and development, labor rights, environmental justice, and reproductive rights. She is a contributing author to Trading Women’s Health and Rights? Trade Liberalization and Reproductive Health in Developing Economies (2006) and Women and Justice (2004) and has authored numerous policy reports, journal and media articles. She has presented her work before Members of Congress, U.S.Trade Representative (USTR) staff, and US Agency for International Development (USAID) officials. Marceline’s research and advocacy on fair trade has been presented to government officials in Bangladesh, Kenya, Peru, and Jamaica. Marceline developed research and led trainings for USAID Missions in Bangladesh and Peru on gender and trade issues that led to changes in the Mission’s programming. Marceline has been interviewed on national radio programs and interviewed by local, national, and international media including The Washington Post, Foreign Policy in Focus, and The Utne Reader. She holds a Masters of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Meet Kat Hyland

Kat is Of Counsel at Williams & Santoni, LLP where I litigate consumer protection cases. She graduated cum laude from Fordham University with a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy before earning her Master’s in Public Policy from The Johns Hopkins University, Institute for Policy Studies. In 2011, Kat graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland School of Law, winning the Community Scholar Award for her work. Kat has also worked as a budget policy analyst for the Maryland State Department of Budget and Management and as a legal fellow for the Baltimore City Law Department and has interned for the New York State Supreme Court, New York State AFL-CIO, Transport Workers Union, AFL-CIO Department for Professional Employees, Legal Momentum, and the Baltimore City Circuit Court.

Contact
Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition
1209 North Calvert, Baltimore, MD 21201
410-624-8980

facebook.com/marylandconsumers
twitter.com/mdconsumers
www.marylandconsumers.org

Meet Ron Worthy

Currently, M. Ron Worthy, Juris Doctor, is a Principal of The Worthy Firm, LLC A Business and Mental/Behavioral Health Consulting Firm

2015-Current The Worthy Firm, LLC founded and created THRIVE TO WORK a workforce and entrepreneurial life skills program designed eradicate hopelessness, homelessness and joblessness in Urban Communities Nationwide.

2013-2014 The Worthy Firm, LLC was awarded a Business Consulting Contract with a large DC and MARYLAND BASED MENTAL HEALTH AGENCY WHICH CURRENTLY HAS CORES IN MARYLAND, DC, AND LOUISANA.

Principal of the Worthy Firm, LLC was appointed as Chief of Operations and Compliance Officer for Maryland, District of Columbia and offices in Louisiana

Assisted in establishing and extending the company’s mental health clinical program to the DC market in the District of Columbia (including increasing referrals and increasing client retention) Provided administrative supervision and oversight of over 150 staff and over 1500 clients and consumers Responsible for hiring and the administrative removal of Staff not in compliance with company policies. Provided direct supervision and oversight to all Psychiatric contractors, Clinical Managers, Directors, Interns, therapists, medical contractors PRP workers and Community Support Workers Member of Executive Team and Behavioral Health Strategic Planning Committee Member of the Implementation Team for all agency goals (including the roll out of electronic medical records system (Credible and ICAMMS), and the transition DBH-compliant documentation, and use of client-centered treatment model)

2000-2009 Williams Worthy, LLP, Principal Partner MD Litigation, Real Estate, Government Lobbying and Commercial Real Estate Corporate Practice -Represented over 100 Corporate Clients including civil ligation, corporate planning and formation. Former Legal Counsel to over 20 non-profit and governmental agencies including Prince Georges County Government; Town Attorney for The Town of Capital Heights, Maryland; Town Attorney for the Town of Fairmount Heights, Maryland; General Counsel to The Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission; General Counsel to The Prince Georges County Personnel Board

1997-2000 Prince George’s County State’s Attorneys Office Upper Marlboro, MD Assistant States Attorney and Media Relations, Responsible community based criminal prosecutions in the following divisions, traffic court, juvenile, major crimes, economic crimes, and narcotics, Hired and maintained intern program, mediation program, and community legal education programs to include the Law-abiding Citizen Program and Summer Camp Handled and created press releases for news worthy cases on behalf of the Office of the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County

EDUCATION OF PRINCIPAL
University of Baltimore School of Law, Juris Doctor Degree, 1996 (currently not practicing in any jurisdiction)
Georgetown University, Paralegal Studies,1989
Johnson C. Smith University, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, 1988

MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAININGS
Attend and Completed Trauma Systems Therapy Training, Department of Behavior Health, DC Nov. 2014

Meet Gwen-Marie Davis Hicks

Attorney Gwen-Marie Davis’ practice areas include personal injury, business organization, business and civil litigation. She received her Juris Doctorate in 2006. While attending The University of Baltimore School of Law, she was selected and trained under the prestigious fellowship program–the Stephen L. Snyder Center for Litigation Skills Fellows Program. As a litigation fellow, she was an American Bar Association (ABA) National Moot Court Finalist and ABA Client Counseling Competition 1st Place winner, bringing both championships back home to her University.

Ms. Davis was admitted to the Court of Appeals of Maryland in 2006, and was admitted to the U.S. District Court of Maryland in 2010. She has been a member of the District of Columbia Bar since 2014. Attorney Davis, was a judicial law clerk for the for the Circuit Court for Baltimore city. In 2009, was a partner at Silvera, Davis & Watts, LLC. In 2012, became the founding and managing partner at GDH LAW.

She is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and Maryland Association for Justice, Inc., formerly the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association, The National Trial Lawyers Association. She has been awarded, Top 40 Under 40, by the National Trial Lawyers Association, and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers.

If you or a loved one has been injured or you have any legal questions, contact Gwen-Marie today for a consultation at 301-769-6835 x 106 or gdavis@gdhlawfirm.com.

Contact Info

GDH LAW
8855 Annapolis Rd., Suite 302, Lanham, MD 20706
Tel: 301-769-6835
Fax: 301-769-6836
Email: gdavis@gdhlawfirm.com

Meet Commissioner Debra M. Davis

Commissioner Debra M. Davis, Esq., was raised inUpper Marlboro, Md.A lifelong resident of SouthernMaryland,Commissioner Davis has four generations of family residing in Charles County, dating back to the 1900’s.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree inCriminology from the University of Maryland in College Park and a Juris Doctorate from the University ofBaltimore’s School of Law. Commissioner Davis has practiced law for 20 years. She is a civil litigator who practices in her own firm, the Law Office of Debra M. Davis, in Upper Marlboro.

Commissioner Davis was first elected to the Charles County Board of Commissioners in 2010 and iscurrently serving her second term. Prior to her entry into politics, she was a leader for many years in government and civic organizations.

From 2012 to 2013, Commissioner Davis s at on the Board of Governors for the Maryland State Bar Association. She also served from 2011 to 2012, as the president of the Prince George’s County Bar Association, an organization of more than 1,200 lawyers and judges who live and/or practice law in Prince George’s County. She is the former president and current member of the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, and a member of the American Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association, Prince George’s County Bar Association, Salome A. Howard Bar Association, and Zonta
Club of Charles County.

A consummate student of leadership, Commissioner Davis completed the University of Maryland’s Academy for Excellence in Local Governance professional development program inAugust 2012. She is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Southern Maryland, a 1999 Maryland State Bar Association Leadership Fellow, and served on the African American Leadership Summit for the U.S. Congress in 2004.

She has received numerous awards and commendations; in 2012 and 2014, Commissioner Davis was honored as one of Maryland’s TOP 100 Women by The Daily Record for her leadership, professional accomplishments, commitment to community service, and mentoring. Other accolades she has received include the NAACP Foot Soldiers Award for outstanding community service, the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association Legal Excellence Award, and the President’s Award, to name a few.

Commissioner Davis is the County Commissioner representative on the Charles County Commuter Ferry Stakeholders Group; Charles County Department of Social Services Board; College of Southern Maryland Diversity Institute Advisory Council; Indian Head Joint Land Use Study Committee; Southern Maryland Economic Development Association; MarylandAssociation of Counties
(MACo), Minority County Officials Diversity Caucus; National Association of Black County Officials; Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland as the vicechair; and Local Government Insurance Trust(LGIT), where she serves on the claims committee, on the finance committee and as secretary on the executive board.

Initiatives spearheaded by Commissioner Davis include: the Charles County intern program; the county’s civility code; the Western Charles County Business Roundtable; and the Charles
County 2020 Vision program, a comprehensive, long-term plan to address poverty in rural areas.

Commissioner Davis served formerly as the County Commissioner representative on the Charles County Economic Development Executive Board; Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity
& Intergroup Relations; Tourism Advisory Board; and the Unity in Our Community Diversity Forum Planning Committee.

Commissioner Davis and her husband, Christopher, reside currently in Rison with their daughters, Kendra and Maya.

Contact Info

P.O. Box 2150 – 200 Baltimore Street  |  La Plata, Maryland 20646
Phone: 301-645-0550  |  301-8703000
Website: www.CharlesCountyMD.gov
E-mail: DavisD@CharlesCountyMD.gov

Meet Theresa A. Owusu

Theresa A. Owusu is a native of the Washington, D.C. area. Ms. Owusu is a graduate of the College of Fine Arts and Communications at
Brigham Young University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing Communications and a Minor in Business Management
in 1998. Ms. Owusu went on to obtain a Juris Doctorate from the J. Reuben Clark School of Law at Brigham Young University in 2004.

Ms. Owusu is involved in the community and is a member of the Antitrust and Consumer Law Section and International Law Section of the
District of Columbia Bar. Her practice areas include employment law and civil litigation.

Bar Admissions:

• District of Columbia
• U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Professional Associations & Memberships:

• American Bar Association
• District of Columbia Bar Association
• Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association
• Washington Council of Lawyers
• Womens Bar Association

Meet Jason A. Grant

Jason A. Grant, a native of the Bronx, New York, is a 2002 Graduate of the College of Arts & Sciences at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a Minor in African American Studies. Upon graduating from Syracuse University, Mr. Grant enrolled at Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C., where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in May 2005.

Jason Grant began his legal career as an associate of the Law Offices of Glenn S. Wainer in Falls Church, VA. In that capacity, his practice areas included criminal law, family law and general civil litigation.

Bar Admissions:

• State of Maryland
• U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
• District of Columbia

Professional Associations & Memberships:

• Advisory Board Member for non-profit organization, Sadiki Educational Safaris
• American Bar Association
• Maryland State Bar Association
• Past Chair of the Young Lawyers Division of the Washington Bar Association (2010-2012)
• Washington, D.C. Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Meet Yaida O. Ford

Topic: Employment Discrimination for Federal Workers.

Yaida specializes in condominium law, estate planning and civil rights and is the managing principal at THE FORD LAW FIRM PLLC located in Washington, D.C. She has successfully represented homeowners’ associations and their members in civil litigation, foreclosure actions, landlord tenant disputes and debt collection. She also counsels associations and owners on governance and operational issues to avoid litigation. Yaida’s estate planning practice focuses on the unique needs of a wide range of clients from married couples with assets that exceed tax exemptions to single individuals who need basic end-of-life planning and advice.

Yaida invests a portion of her case work to a limited number of civil rights cases that involve employment discrimination, wage and hour violations, and constitutional violations. Yaida is an experienced litigator who has represented individuals in cases against multi-national corporations, trade associations, large US-based companies, mortgage lenders, charter schools and federal and local governments. Yaida graduated magna cum laude from Denison University with a dual degree in Political Science and Spanish. In recognition of her leadership and academic record, Yaida was one of seven students who received the university’s highest honor, The Presidential Medal.

Yaida attended Howard University School of Law and immediately thereafter served as a law clerk for The Honorable Harold L. Cushenberry, Jr., Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Superior Court. Upon completing her clerkship, Yaida worked at The Legal Aid Society as a staff attorney where she successfully advocated on behalf of low-income families and individuals in administrative proceedings before the Office of Administrative Hearings and the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. Yaida assisted countless individuals in obtaining critical, life-sustaining benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance and income supplements to help them survive amidst disability, job loss and poverty. In recognition of her work, Yaida received the Frederick B. Abramson Public Interest Fellowship. Yaida left Legal Aid to serve as legislative counsel for the Committee of Human Services under the leadership of D.C. Councilman Jim Graham (D-Ward 1). From there, Yaida segued into private practice to focus on her passions – advocacy and litigation.

Yaida has held various leadership positions in and outside of the bar. She served on the Board of Directors of the Washington Bar Association from 2008-2010. She served as the Board Chair for Youth Now! from 2008-2009 a local non-profit that serves youth who reside in Southeast Washington, D.C. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for Know The Truth International Ministries, a Virginia-based non-profit that travels around the world to join relief efforts in developing countries and minister to the masses. Yaida also organizes an annual coat drive for the residents of the Mitch Snyder shelter in Northwest Washington, D.C.

In her personal time, Yaida enjoys working with youth and has served as a program director for a mentoring and professional development program called Ladies First that serves young women in Southeast D.C. Currently, Yaida travels to Haiti annually as a part of ongoing relief efforts to rebuild the country after the devastating earthquake of 2010.

Meet Arnette Ayelay Steele

Arnette (“Art”) Ayelay Steele is the founder of Law Offices of Arnette Steele, PLLC (“Steele Law Offices”). She is a seasoned tax lawyer with a diverse background. Ms. Steele founded her law firm because she is committed to providing access to affordable, high-quality legal services to individuals, families and small businesses.

Before launching her law firm, Ms. Steele began her legal career as a transactional tax associate at a major international law firm in Washington, D.C. She later worked as tax counsel for Global Tax Planning at a Fortune 500 company in Silver Spring, M.D. Her tax background brings a unique perspective when advising clients regarding family law, estate planning, small business formation and immigration.

Ms. Steele also served as an Adjunct Professor of Wills, Trusts and Estates at American University Washington College of Law in the District of Columbia in Spring 2014. Ms. Steele is originally from Monrovia, Liberia. In 1990, her family escaped the Liberian Civil War and immigrated to Reston, Virginia, where she grew up. She currently lives in Washington, D.C. and enjoys riding her bike in Rock Creek Park, lotion and soap making, and sewing her own clothes and other fashion accessories.

Meet Ashley Lam

Ms. Lam joins the firm with a significant amount of experience representing individual and corporate clients in employment-based and other affirmative immigration filings.  Prior to joining the Law Offices of Arnette Steele, Ms. Lam worked for a boutique firm where she focused her practice on non-immigrant and immigrant petitions as well as civil litigation.  Ms. Lam’s work has helped numerous clients from business owners and immigrant investors to international students and tourists.  Ms. Lam’s experience will be a great resource to families, individuals and small businesses.

Ms. Lam has significant personal and professional experience in working with foreign nationals and international organizations.  She is currently a board member of International Student Conferences, Inc.  Prior to law school, Ms. Lam worked at and volunteered for a number of local cultural organizations including the Institute for Global Chinese Affairs, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the Asia Society, and the Japan-America Society of Washington.

Ms. Lam is a native of the Washington DC Metropolitan area.  She currently lives in northern Virginia with her husband and children.  When she is not with her family or working, she is practicing taekwondo at her local dojang.

Contact Info

Law Offices of Arnette Steele, PLLC
8300 Greensboro Drive, Suite 800
McLean, VA 22102

Phone:  (703) 828-7023
Fax:  (703) 740-3099
Website: www.asteelelawoffices.com

Direct Contact Information:
Art Steele
ASteele@asteelelawoffices.com
Phone: (703) 828-7023

Ashley Lam
ashleylam@asteelelawoffices.com
Phone: (571) 577-9363

Meet Carolyn Starks Saxon

Carolyn Starks Saxon is the Chair and Co-Founder of the Re-Entry Roundtable For Prince George’s County. The Roundtable is a diverse group of individuals, faith-based, governmental and non-profit organizations dedicated to making a difference in the lives of individuals who have incurred criminal records.

She served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City from October 3, 1983 – March 22, 2004 (Retired). Thereafter, she served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County from March 29, 2004 – September 30, 2012 (Retired). Prior to her work in the criminal justice system she worked for Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as a staff attorney from August, 1976 – November, 1978. Thereafter, she worked as a Senior Contracts Manager for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation Division in Baltimore, Maryland, from December, 1978 – September, 1983.

She has worked with non-profit and faith-based organizations on a number of collaborative efforts related to re-entry and drug rehabilitation (Drug Court). She also serves a team member of the Re-Entry Court of Prince George’s County.

She currently works as an Adjunct Professor, Criminal Justice Department, Bowie State University. She has taught courses regarding women and the law, stress management, alternative dispute resolution, and criminal law and criminal procedure. She also works as an Appointed Attorney for the Maryland Judicial System. In this position she represents individuals who have been arrested at bail review hearings conducted by Maryland District Court Commissioners.

She is a graduate of Stanford University (B.A., Political Science), and University of California at Los Angeles School of Law (JD).