Lauren McLarney - Partner

About Lauren

Lauren McLarney is a partner in the litigation group. Her practice focuses on disability rights, civil litigation, and white-collar criminal defense. More specifically, she handles Randolph Sheppard Act disputes, federal civil rights litigation, business disputes, website accessibility cases, juvenile justice matters, Public Information Act challenges, estates and trusts matters, and white-collar criminal defense cases. She is currently on the Board of the Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and BLIND Inc., a training center affiliated with the National Federation of the Blind.

On Randolph Sheppard matters, Lauren has represented over 20 blind entrepreneurs in disputes against state agencies in over a dozen states and currently represents the National Association of Blind Merchants in litigation against the Army and Air Force Exchange Service. For her civil rights cases, Lauren has represented parties on both sides of the v. in multi-million-dollar disputes concerning detention deaths, substance abuse treatment facilities, and alleged police misconduct.  On the business side, she has represented both local Baltimore-based companies and national organizations in contract and tort disputes. On the criminal side, Lauren has represented white collar defendants accused of wire fraud, health care fraud, and other federal offenses. She recently served as defense counsel in a three-month federal jury trial stemming from the largest federal criminal indictment in Maryland’s federal court.

This is Lauren’s second career, as she worked in legislative advocacy for the National Federation of the Blind before going to law school. She has found that her experience in politics and passion for disability issues makes her a better writer and a more effective advocate. She has also found that clients appreciate her authenticity and candor when talking through problems. The adage “never get too involved” is not true for everyone.

Raised in Maryland, Lauren has lived in downtown Baltimore for over a decade.  She loves cats, pasta and bagels, and spending time with her family.

Representative Matters

Represented widow of man who died after four days in the Allegany County Detention Center due to deliberate indifference of the jail’s medical providers, obtained a published opinion reversing trial court’s dismissal of case after oral argument. Stevens v. Holler, 68th F.4th 921 (4th Cir. 2023)

Successfully exposed a flawed solicitation process for a multi-million dollar vending opportunity on behalf of two unsuccessful bidders; the bidding process had to be re-done. In re Skinner (South Carolina, 2022).

Successfully represented a blind vendor in grievance over his displacement from a vending facility by no fault of his own; the state was ordered to give him the first suitable/acceptable assignment. McClurge v. Texas Workforce Commission (Texas, 2023)

Got a 16-year sentence for a violation of probation vacated. State v. Greene (2023 Cir. Ct. of Baltimore City) (got 16-year sentence vacated and more favorable)

Served as defense counsel in three-month federal jury trial and persuaded Court not to sentence to juvenile client to life imprisonment. U.S. v. Jose Joya Parada, Case 1:16-cr-00259-JKB (D. Md.)

Represented non-profit in PIA action compelling disclosure of key for codes used on Case Search. Administrative Office of the Courts v. Abell Foundation, 480 Md. 63 (2022)

Represented two employees of an international car company in the U.S. Government’s investigation into the diesel emissions scandal.

Education

• University of Maryland Carey School of Law (J.D., 2018)
• University of Maryland (B.A., 2008)

Bar Admissions

• Maryland