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Michael W. Skojec,

Attorney at Law

I am a longtime litigator  who regularly advises clients on claims and risks, and policies and practices to avoid them. Now I am continuing to advise part-time.

Areas of Focus

  • Real Estate & Construction Litigation​

  • Construction Contracts

  • Fair Housing and Discrimination Law

  • Accessibility and Disability Law

  • Commercial Litigation and Claims Advice

Michael W. Skojec concentrates on representing owners, developers, contractors, lenders, management companies, and other firms in a wide variety of advisory and contested matters. Mike’s practice is focused on real estate litigation, construction matters, and fair housing and accessibility law, including:


•    Advice on fair housing and non-discrimination in housing laws​

•    Defense of housing discrimination claims

•    Advice on social media and discrimination in advertising for housing

•    Advice on compliance with accessibility laws, including

     the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Housing Act, and

     similar state and local laws​

•    Review of Property Assessment Reports and due diligence as to fair housing and             ADA compliance

•    Construction litigation and dispute resolution

•    Advice and negotiation of design and construction contracts

•    Payment and performance bond claims

•    Mechanics lien claims 

•    Real estate development disputes

Law Firm Experience

  • Ballard Spahr, LLP (2007 - 2018)

    • Partner and Senior Counsel​

  • Gallagher, Evelius & Jones, LLP​ (1985 - 2007)

    • Partner​

Teaching and Speaking Engagements

Previously a speaker on fair housing, accessibility, and construction law matters for the National Multi-Housing Council, National Apartment Association, National Affordable Housing Management Association, National Housing Symposium, Mortgage Bankers Association, design professional groups, and other housing industry organizations and state housing conferences

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Previous lecturer, Judicial College of Maryland, Maryland Construction Law Institute, Maryland Real Estate Institute, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the National Association of Attorneys General Training Institute

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Past Instructor in the Cardin Program, teaching housing- and litigation-related matters, University of Maryland School of Law

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Guest lecturer, George Washington University Law School, the University of Maryland Graduate Program in Real Estate Development, and other degree programs

Publications

Various White Papers for the National Multifamily Housing Council and National Apartment Association on Fair Housing Topics and Guidance

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Chapter author for the Maryland Construction Law Deskbook

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Co-author, "Divided U.S. Supreme Court Holds Disparate Impact Claims Cognizable under FHA, but Subject to Safeguards Against Abusive Disparate Impact Claims," CCFL Quarterly Report, Vol. 68, No. 4

Professional Activities

Maryland State Bar Association, past Council Chair and Member of the Construction Law Section

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Fellow, Maryland Bar Foundation

Pro Bono Experience

Mike regularly handled pro bono matters and cases. He has provided services to Human Rights First and Kids in Need of Defense in asylum petitions and to the Lawyers' Committee for Fair Elections. He co-led a team working with Appleseed public interest justice network to draft an issue brief concerning legal rights and challenges to education and benefits for homeless youth. As a result of this significant effort, Mike was recognized with Ballard Spahr's 2012 Pro Bono Award. Mike has worked with Project HEAL and the Kennedy Krieger Institute to help children and families obtain specialized educational services.

Military Service

Mike is a military veteran. He previously served in the U.S. Air Force as the Squadron Navigator and an Instructor Navigator for the 911th Air Refueling Squadron and the Public Information Officer for the 68th Bombardment Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. He was trained to fly B-52 Bombers and KC-135 Tankers. Mike was awarded, among other citations, the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Community Activities

Columbia Downtown Housing Corporation, past Director (2013-2016)

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Howard County Housing Commission, past member and Chair (1994-2002)

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Howard County Housing and Community Development Board, past member and Chair (1989-1999)

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Howard County Charter Revision Commission, past Subcommittee Chair and member (1987-1995)

Education

University of Maryland School of Law (J.D. 1985, with Honors)

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Central Michigan University (M.A. 1980)

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University of Virginia (B.A. 1976, with Distinction)

Admissions

Court of Appeals of Maryland

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U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

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U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

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U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

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U.S. Supreme Court

Representative Litigation Cases

  • Fuller, et al. v. Department of Housing and Community Development, et al., Case No. 1:18-cv-00872-EGS, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

  • Barry Farm Tenants and Allies Association, Inc., et al. v. District of Columbia Housing Authority, et al., Case No. 1:17-cv-1762-EGS, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

  • Marradi v. Onex, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:17-cv-12041, PBS, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

  • Marradi v. Albertson’s Companies, LLC, et al., Case No. 1:17-cv-11924-GAO, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

  • State of Maryland v. Computer Sciences Corporation, Case No. 1:17-cv-03839-ELH, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

  • Charbonneau v. Federal Realty Investment Trust, Case No. 1:17-cv-667-AJT, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

  • United States of America v. NALS Apartment Homes, LLC, et al., Case No. 2:16-cv-1005-BSJ, U.S. District Court for District of Utah

  • Nanni v. The Avenue at White Marsh Business Trust, Case No. 1:15-cv-02571-GJH, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

  • Gill v. Key Brand Theatrical Group, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:14-cv-03737-GLR, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

  • Amicus Brief for Houston Housing Authority, in Texas Department of Housing And Community Affairs, et al. v. The Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., Case No. 13-1371, United States Supreme Court

  • Escobar, et al. v. Tritex Real Estate Advisors, et al., Case No. 3:11-cv-00994, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee

  • The Michaels Development Company, Inc., et al., v. New York City Housing Authority, Case No. 601027, Supreme Court of the State of New York (County of New York)

  • Park Potomac Condominiums I, LLC, et al., v. Gale Associates, Inc., et al., Case No. 346970-V, Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Maryland

  • Equal Rights Center v. Lerner Enterprises, et al., Case No. 8:10-cv-02400-DKC, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

  • National Fair Housing Alliance v. H.H. Hunt Corporation et al., Case No. 7:11-cv-00131, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia

  • ARL, LLC, et al. v. KB Home Maryland, Inc., et al., Case No. 305746, Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Maryland

  • Equal Rights Center v. Trammell Crow Residential Company, Case No. 1:07-cv-01231-PLF, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

  • TGM Stonehaven, Inc. v. Shelter Development, LLC, Case No. 13-C-06-064742, Maryland Court of Special Appeals

  • Council of Unit Owners of Woodland Lake Condominium v. Woodland Lake Partners One L.P., et al., Case No. CAL-07-04247, Circuit Court of Prince George's County, Maryland

  • Equal Rights Center v. Bozzuto & Associates, et al., Case No. DKC-05-CV-2558, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

  • United States v. JPI Construction L.P., et al., Case No. 3:09-CV-0H2B, U.S. District Court for North District of Texas (Dallas)

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