Hon. Sherrie L. Krauser (Ret.) joins JAMS after more than 20 years as a distinguished Maryland trial judge. Judge Krauser's broad experience, including her special expertise in resolving complex civil and employment litigation informs her efforts to help parties resolve diverse issues in the context of fair and efficient ADR proceedings.

Judge Krauser has taught extensively in law schools and continuing legal and judicial education programs on trial advocacy, legal and judicial writing, and substantive law. Her instruction in trial and writing skills reinforces her commitment to resolving conflicts through straightforward, respectful communication.

Representative Matters

• Business Commercial
• Design and installation of home insulation and "green" products
• Insurance coverage disputes involving personal and business liability contracts
• Building contract dispute regarding design and construction of a multi-million dollar, multi-use building, with disputes among architects, construction contractors, and property owner
• Products liability involving automobile parts design
• Division of business partnership precipitated by pending divorce of one partner
• Charitable associations, including rift between church membership and professional leadership; competing groups within a charitable organization; and ouster of religious leader by congregation
• Division of business partnerships with disputed ownership of real property; intellectual property; non-compete clause
• Employment Law
• Employment termination with non-compete issues
• Claims of discrimination based on sex, race, or religious preference
• Claims of sexual harassment and hazardous workplace
• Allegations of disability discrimination and ADA claims
• Claim of illegal termination based on worker's compensation claim
• Claim of unconstitutional interference with employee's 1st amendment rights
• Claim of defamation in termination action
• Family Law
• Custody disputes, including:
  • Mental health/safety considerations alleging domestic violence, sexual abuse of young child, parental unfitness, and parental alienation
  • Legal custody conflicts regarding religious observance, medical care for child, school choice, and international travel
• Marital Property division, involving:
  • Government and private pension benefits, and survivor benefits
  • Real property, including multiple homes and investment property
  • Business ownership and future income potential
  • High-value assets in multiple jurisdictions and countries
• Alimony claims, in marriages of varying lengths, including:
  • Relationship to age of children
  • Medical disability of one spouse
  • Language or other impediment to employment of one spouse
  • Voluntary impoverishment claims
• Estates and Guardianship issues, including:
  • Allegations of undue influence of a child, grandchild, or attorney
  • Mental competence considerations
• Governmental & Public Agency
• Employer-union contract dispute in local government
• Claims of due process violations by government agents (police officers)
• Claims of defamation in government publication
• Personal Injury
• Multiple tortfeasor incident with competing liability claims and death or permanent severe injury to multiple parties
• Competing claims for limited insurance proceeds among multiple victims
• Competing survivorship claims among half-siblings with opposing guardians
• Professional Liability
• Misdiagnosis of medical emergency, resulting in patient death
• Failed vasectomy, resulting in unplanned pregnancy and childbirth
• Notice of medical risks in surgery resulting in grievous injury

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

• Honors
  • Washingtonian "Top Lawyer", 2015
  • Circle of Excellence Award, Top 100 Women in Maryland, The Daily Record, 2013
  • Top 100 Women in Maryland, 2008, 2010, and 2013
  • President's Award for Distinguished Service to the Bar and Community, Prince George's County Bar Association, 1986, 2000, and 2011
  • Award for Women of Achievement in Maryland History, 1998
  • Distinguished Service Award for Promotion of Equal Access to the Courts, Maryland Hispanic Bar Association, 1996
• Memberships and Professional Activities
  • Completed Virtual ADR training conducted by the JAMS Institute, the training arm of JAMS
  • Life Fellow, Maryland Bar Foundation
  • Style Subcommittee Chair, Maryland State Bar Association, Special Committee on Voir Dire, 2013-present
  • National Association of Women Judges, 1989-present
    • Chair, Maryland Chapter 2015
  • Member, Maryland State Bar Association, 1973-present
  • Member, J. Franklin Bourne Bar Association, 1990-present
  • Member, Women's Bar Association of Maryland, 1979-present
  • Member, Prince George's County Bar Association, 1977-present
  • Technology Oversight Board, Maryland Judiciary, 1999-2007
  • Judicial Fellow, American Trial Lawyers Association, 2003
  • Central Maryland Regional Advisory Board, Maryland Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission, 1999
  • Two-term Chair, Maryland Judicial Conference, Civil Law and Procedure Committee, 1992-1994
  • Two-term Chair, Maryland State Bar Association, Committee on Program, 1986-1988
  • Member, Board of Directors, Jewish Social Service Agency of Greater Washington, 1992-1996
  • Adjunct Faculty, Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America, 2004-2009

Background and Education

• Recalled Judge (a retired judge recalled for service as needed), Seventh Judicial Circuit of Maryland, 2013-2015
• Judge, Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, 1995-2013
  • Chair, Website Revision Committee, 2011-2013
  • Jury Judge, 2004-2007
  • Coordinating Judge, Family Division, 2001-2004
• Associate Judge, District Court of Maryland, District 5, Prince George's County, 1989-1995
  • Liaison Judge for Criminal Matters, 1990-1995
  • Administrative Judges Committee, 1992-1994
• Maryland Judicial Conference
  • Civil Law and Procedure Committee, 1990-1998, 2007-2010 (Chair, 1992-1994)
  • Family Law Committee, 2003-2007
  • Mental Health, Alcoholism, and Addiction Committee, 1999-2002
• Associate County Attorney, Litigation Division, Office of Law, Prince George's County, 1979-1989
• Private solo practice, 1977-1979
• Assistant Attorney General, Pennsylvania Crime Commission, 1975-1977
• Honors Trial Attorney, Criminal Division, United States Department of Justice, 1973-1974
• J.D., Duke Law School, 1973 (Editorial Board, Duke Law Journal)
• B.A., (Arts-Law), with Honors, University of Maryland, 1972