Annapolis Attorney

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Biography - Christopher L. Beard - Annapolis Lawyer

Married with three children.

EDUCATION

University of Maryland, B.A., 1973.
University of Baltimore, J.D., 1976.

ADMITTED TO BAR

Maryland, 1976.
Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County.
Federal District Court for the District of Maryland.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Private practice, 1977-present, including associate; Goudy, Lechowicz & Loney, 1977-1978; Smith and Wohlgemuth, 1979-1981; partner, Beard and Mulieri, 1986-1991; and private practitioner, 1991-present.
The Honorable Matthew S. Evans Sr., Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, Law Clerk, 1976-1977.
Maryland Attorney Generals Office, Legal Internship, 1975.
Governor's Commission to Study Implementation of the Equal Rights Amendment, Legal Internship, Fall 1974.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Civil general trial practice. Personal injury cases, including auto accidents, wrongful death, electrocution, workers' compensation, medical malpractice, amusement park injuries, and product liability. Traffic cases including dwi, dui, excessive speed, and weight and log violations. Family law cases since 1977 including divorce, child custody and visitation, support and alimony, property division, parental termination, CINA, and Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act cases. Criminal law, wills and estates, contract and real estate litigation. Civil litigation, including jury trials and appeals. Present Court Settlement Facilitator.

PUBLICATIONS

Legal Representation and Fee Agreements for the Maryland Lawyer: Forms and Comments. Baltimore: MICPEL, 1995 (updated 2009) Co-author: Richard C. Goodwin.

"Written Fee Agreements Can Enhance Client Relations." Maryland Bar Journal (July-August 1994). Co-author: Jacqueline J. Judd.
"Victims No More: Changes in Domestic Violence Law." Maryland Bar Journal, July/August 1992. Co-author: Jacqueline J. Judd.
"Teaching Lawyers About Alcohol Can Save Lives Down the Road," The Daily Record [Baltimore, Md.] June 19, 1991. Co-author: William E. Ewell.

SEMINARS

"How to get paid in Maryland," Maryland State Bar Association, program chair, annual meeting, 2009.
"The Versatile Fee Agreement and Legal Representation Letters," Maryland State Bar Association, Solo and Small Firm Conference (2000).
"Handling Drinking and Driving Cases in District and Circuit Court," Anne Arundel County Bar Association, Annapolis (1996): program chair. Preparation, law and trial of cases.
"Fee Agreements," MICPEL (1995, 1996, and 1998). Frederick, Beltsville and Baltimore: faculty member. Ethical and legal aspects of forming and assuring effective client representation and proper fee structure.
"Alcohol and Driving: Winning the Lost Case," MICPEL. Annapolis (1992) and Frederick (1994): moderator and faculty member. Science of alcohol and testing techniques; and role of attorney in making recommendations to client about treatment options.
"Domestic Violence Act of 1992," MICPEL (1992): moderator and faculty member. Discussion of new laws providing increased protection in court for domestic violence victims.

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC AWARDS

Selected as a Maryland "Super Lawyer" by Baltimore Magazine and Maryland Super Lawyers Magazine in 2012.
Award of a Peer Review Rating of AV Preeminent, highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards, Martindale Hubbell, 2011.
Featured in What's Up Magazine in 2009 and 2010 as a leading Annapolis lawyer in personal injury law.
1997 Annual Award for Professional Legal Excellence in the Advancement of Professional Competence, presented by the Fellows of the Maryland Bar Foundation.
Maryland Jaycees Executive Board Member of the Year, 1984-85.
Annapolis Jaycee of the Year, 1984-85. Outstanding Young Annapolitan Nominee, 1990.

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE

Member, Board of Appeals of City of Annapolis, 2000-2006, (Chair, 2004-2006).
Hearing Examiner, Board of Education of Anne Arundel County, 1991 to present.
Alternate Member, Anne Arundel County Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board, 1986-88.
Regular Member, Inquiry Committee, Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland, 1983-85; 1990 to 2000.
Inquiry Committee Member, Health Claims Arbitration Office, State of Maryland, 1989 to present.
Member, Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for Commission District Seven, 1988 to 1994.

BAR ACTIVITIES

President, Anne Arundel County Bar Association, Inc., 1992-93. President, Anne Arundel Bar Foundation, Inc., 1993-1994.
Member, Board of Governors, Maryland State Bar Association 1993-95 term.
Trustee, 1981-87, 1999-2001, Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers, Inc.; past member of Curriculum Committee.
Trustee, Anne Arundel County Bar Association, 1990-1991; Treasurer, 1988-90, and Chairman of the following committees: Young Lawyers' Section (1980-81), Continuing Legal Education (1981-83), Orientation for New Members (1983-85), Law Day Activities (1987), Programs (1988), Nominating Committee (1996).
Assisted production of video distributed statewide in 1991 entitled "Victims No More: Emergency Relief in Maryland Courts for Victims of Domestic Violence."
Member, Maryland State Bar Association.

CIVIC ACTIVITIES

President, Hunt Meadow Swim Team, Inc., 1998-2000; President, Hunt Meadow Homeowners' Association, Inc., 1990-91, President, Annapolis Jaycees, Inc. 1985-86.
Coach, fall youth soccer, Annapolis Soccer Club, 1996-2006; Coordinator, St. Mary's Cub Scout Den, 1996-97.
Parliamentarian and Legal Counsel, Maryland Jaycees, Inc., 1984-85.

HOBBIES

Member, Annapolis Striders, Annapolis Ten-Mile Race, and Riverwatch Biathlon, 1999 and 2000; Marine Corp Marathon, 2001.

Annapolis Attorney at Law - Short Profile

Christopher Beard was born in Annapolis, Maryland on October 3, 1951. He graduated from the University of Maryland, B.A., in 1973 and University of Baltimore Law School in 1976. He is a member of the Anne Arundel County (President, 1992-1993) and Maryland State Bar Associations. (Maryland Bar, 1976).

  • Chair, Board of Appeals, City of Annapolis; member, 2000-2006
  • Recipient, Award for Professional Legal Excellence in the Advancement of Professional Competence, Maryland Bar Foundation, 1997
  • Co-Author: "Teaching Lawyers About Alcohol Can Saves Lives Down the Road," The Daily Record (Baltimore Maryland), June 19, 1991
  • Trustee, Maryland Institute for Continuing Education of Lawyers, Inc.,1981-1986, 1999-2001
  • President, Annapolis Jaycees, Inc., 1985-1986
  • Member, Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for District Seven, 1988-1994
  • Panel Member, Maryland Health Claims Arbitration Office, 1989-
  • Hearing Examiner, Board of Education of Anne Arundel County, 1991-
  • Facilitator, Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, 1990-
  • Reported Cases: Smith v. County Executive, Etc., 421 A.2d 979.