BSOS Alumnus James R. Benjamin, Jr. Named as Baltimore County Attorney

In October, James Benjamin Jr., (GVPT ’94) was appointed the new Baltimore County Attorney.

Previously, Benjamin was a partner at Gordon Feinblatt LLC in Baltimore City representing small, minority- and women-owned businesses, advising on regulatory and procurement matters on state and local levels. While he says he was very happy in his position, the offer from the Baltimore County Executive was one he could not pass up. Benjamin is the first African American to serve as Baltimore County Attorney.

“I am so excited about working with this Administration and believe in its vision concerning education, employment, diversity and inclusion,” he says. “In addition, to have an opportunity to blaze a trail for others, as so many people have done for me, as the first African-American County Attorney means so much to me.”

Benjamin started his stint in public service as an Assistant City Solicitor with the Baltimore City Law Department seventeen years ago. After many years of practicing law in the private sector, he sees this as his homecoming and return to public service. He says he is excited to work as a public servant again, to mentor all the young students who come along, and to help make Baltimore County the best it can be. 

“I believe this is going to be so rewarding.”

Benjamin says he is working to show his daughter, who just turned two, that you can accomplish anything if you work hard, and believe in yourself and your dreams.

Benjamin currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. Center for Education, Justice, and Ethics, in addition to sitting on the Board of Visitors for both BSOS and the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where he received his law degree in 2001. 

“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community.  It’s always been something that has been instilled in me – to appreciate where you are and where you came from, and to share that with others.”

Published on Fri, Jan 3, 2020 - 4:08PM