Ebony Thompson Makes History as Baltimore’s First Female Solicitor

In a landmark moment for Baltimore, Ebony Thompson has been officially confirmed as the city’s first female solicitor, following unanimous approval by the Baltimore City Council. Thompson, who initially joined the Baltimore City Law Department as deputy solicitor in early 2022, has been serving as the acting solicitor since January 2023, after the retirement of the previous solicitor, Jim Shea.

The Baltimore City Council’s confirmation hearing last week was a resounding endorsement of Thompson’s qualifications and leadership. A native of Baltimore, Thompson is not only a veteran of the military but also boasts a substantial legal career, including time in private practice.

Councilman Kristerfer Burnett and other committee members praised Thompson’s professionalism and vision during her tenure as acting solicitor, with Councilwoman Odette Ramos expressing her unequivocal support.

Thompson’s path to confirmation was initially delayed due to a technicality. The Baltimore charter stipulates that solicitors must be members of the Maryland State Bar Association with at least ten years of practice. Thompson, having been barred in December 2013, narrowly missed this requirement upon her initial appointment as acting solicitor.

Ronald Weich, the dean of the University of Baltimore’s law school, hailed Thompson as an exceptional litigator and lauded her transition from private to public service. Thompson, a graduate of the same law school, has been commended for her brilliance and capability.

Ebony’s background is deeply rooted in Baltimore, having grown up in Northwest Baltimore as the daughter of a school teacher and an electrician. A Baltimore City College High School alumna, Thompson first interned at the city’s Law Department during her high school years, describing her current leadership role as a “full circle moment.”

Thompson’s educational journey includes a degree from Brown University, service in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and an MBA from American InterContinental University. Her professional experience spans from 2013 to 2022 at the law firm Venable, where she specialized in real estate and mergers and acquisitions. Notably, she pursued a course in blockchain technology at Venable, which later inspired a city program to catalog vacant properties using blockchain.

Thompson has been proactive in addressing urban issues, including a 2022 incident involving squeegee workers. She advocated against unconstitutional measures, focusing instead on balanced solutions that included restricting squeegeeing at certain intersections while offering services and employment programs to affected youths.

Adding to her list of firsts, Thompson is also Baltimore’s inaugural openly gay solicitor. Outside of her professional commitments, she is a mother to three daughters and enjoys practicing karate.