Baltimore City Law Department

Popular Services

What We Do

The Department of Law is a department of the City established by the City Charter. The head of the Department is the City Solicitor, who is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Under the City Charter, the City Solicitor is the legal adviser and representative of the City and its several departments, officers, commissions, boards, and authorities, and has general supervision and direction of the legal business of the City.

In addition to overseeing the Department of Law, the City Solicitor is a member of the Board of Estimates. The Board of Estimates formulates and executes the fiscal policy of the City. The Board holds formal hearings and approves operating and capital budget requests, and is responsible for awarding contracts and supervising all purchasing by the City. The City Solicitor serves on the Board of Estimates with the Mayor, the President of the City Council, the Comptroller, and the Director of the Department of Public Works.

Recent News

On Jan. 28, 2025, City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson presented to the students at the University of Baltimore School of Law about career opportunities for young attorneys within the City’s Law Department. Pictured from Left to Right: Asst. Solicitor Michael Weiland, Dep. Solicitor Stephen Salsbury, City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson, and Asst. Solicitor Derek VanDeWalle of the Baltimore City Law Dept. pose for a photo.