President Biden's Nominee Would Become First Black US Attorney For Maryland

By WBAL
Posted on 07/27/21 | News Source: WBAL

The president on Monday announced his nominee to become the next U.S. attorney for Maryland.

President Joe Biden nominated Prince George's County Delegate Erek Barron, D-District 24, who would be the first Black U.S. Attorney in Maryland's history.

Barron is a partner at the law firm of Whiteford Taylor and Preston LLP, and he has been a member of the Maryland General Assembly since 2015 and chairs the Prince George’s County House Delegation. He co-authored the Justice Reinvestment Act, which was bipartisan legislation to overhaul the state’s sentencing and corrections practices.

House Speaker Adrienne Jones tweeted a statement, saying, "Delegate Barron has been a champion of criminal justice reform while serving in the Maryland House of Delegates. His work with both Democrats and Republicans on the Justice Reinvestment Act helped Maryland become a national leader on bipartisan corrections and sentencing reform to reinvest in smarter public safety strategies. While he is the first Black U.S. attorney for Maryland, he also brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to represent and protect the people of our state."

From 2007 to 2009, Barron served as counsel and policy adviser to then-Sen. Joe Biden on the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs.

From 2006 to 2007, Barron served as a federal prosecutor in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Prior to that, Barron served as a prosecutor in the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office and subsequently in the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office.

Barron received his LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2007, his J.D. from the George Washington University Law School in 1999, and his B.A. from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1996.

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin released a statement, saying, "Maryland needs a U.S. attorney with integrity and independence, as well as the strength and experience to tackle the unacceptably high level of violent crime in Baltimore City. With Sen. (Chris) Van Hollen, I was proud to recommend Erek Barron for this position as a guardian of the civil rights and civil liberties of all Marylanders.

"Erek has demonstrated a passion for public service throughout his entire career and he will bring to this position a unique set of professional experiences and skills that will serve Marylanders well. His track record of enacting reforms to the criminal justice system and serving as a federal and state prosecutor -- including prosecuting cases in Baltimore City and Prince George's County -- make him well-positioned to take on this lead federal law enforcement role for our state."