Welcome New A2JC Commissioners
We are thrilled to welcome an exceptional cohort of new Commissioners whose collective expertise represents the full, vibrant spectrum of Maryland’s legal ecosystem. By uniting elite corporate litigators, trailblazing social enterprise founders, dedicated public interest advocates, and high-level federal counsel, this group infuses the Commission with a rich diversity of perspectives. This level of talent ensures that as we tackle the civil justice gap, our strategies are informed by every corner of the profession—combining rigorous courtroom acumen with a deeply shared commitment to structural equity and systemic reinvestment.
Meet Our New Commissioners
– Melissa O. Martinez (McGuireWoods, Managing Partner, Baltimore): As the Baltimore Office Managing Partner for a major national firm, she brings sophisticated corporate leadership and extensive experience navigating complex civil and commercial litigation.
– Natasha Nazareth (Nazareth Bonifacino Law): Co-founder of Maryland’s first Certified B Corporation law firm, she offers nearly three decades of legal expertise spanning corporate governance, mediation, and aligning business operations with community impact.
– Margaret H.C. Tippett (Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLP): A civil litigation and appellate attorney, she joins the Commission as Chair-Elect of the MSBA Young Lawyers Section, bringing the vital perspective and energy of the next generation of the bar.
– Gwen-Marie Davis (GDH Law): The Managing Partner of GDH Law, a celebrated trial attorney and former President of the Maryland Association for Justice, she brings a fierce dedication to plaintiffs work, courtroom advocacy and a strong track record of legislative reform efforts in Annapolis.
– Chris Jennison (FAA): The Headquarters Team Manager for Employment and Labor Law at the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Chief Counsel, he contributes deep expertise in federal administrative governance, compliance, and public sector accountability.
– Christia Ravenell (Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts): As the Staff Attorney for MdVLA, she provides a crucial public-interest lens centered on grassroots legal aid delivery, educational workshops, and protecting the rights of creative communities.
– Erek Barron (Mintz): The Commission’s newly appointed Chair and a Member at Mintz, he commands an elite background as the former U.S. Attorney for Maryland, a state legislator, and an architect of Maryland’s historic justice reinvestment policy.