Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

A lifelong resident of Rockville, Maryland, I graduated from Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School (Washington, DC) in 1999.

Thereafter, I pursued my undergraduate degree at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio where I majored in International Affairs and Spanish, with minors in English and Latin American Studies. I was a volunteer English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor at Norwood View Elementary School and a Spanish teacher at the Xavier University Montessori School. My teaching and involvement with other non-profit organizations earned me the Peter J. Buschmann, S.J. Scholarship for Public Service. As a senior at Xavier, I was one of a handful of students inducted into the Sigma Delta Pi, National Collegiate Spanish Honor Society.

After graduating from Xavier in 2003, I attended Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. During law school, I was the Treasurer of the Cleveland-Marshall Chapter of the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity (Ranney Senate) and one of the founding members of the National Lawyer’s Guild (Cleveland-Marshall Chapter). My passion for community advocacy led me to become a Legal Observer for several demonstrations, ensuring that individuals’ civil rights were protected, and I taught “Street Law Clinics” during which I educated citizens of their Constitutional civil rights. I was a student practitioner with the Cleveland-Marshall Community Advocacy Clinic, which focused on redevelopment of blighted urban areas of Cleveland, Ohio. Upon graduation from law school, I was awarded the Student Public Interest Law Organization’s Scholarship for Outstanding Service to the Community.

Community Activities:

I am an active member of: The Bar Association of Montgomery County, The Maryland State Bar Association, The Bar Association of Baltimore City, The Women’s Bar Association (Montgomery County Chapter), The Family Law Section of the Montgomery County Bar Association, The Estates & Trusts Section of the Montgomery County Bar Association, and
The National Lawyer’s Guild (Washington, DC Chapter).

I am also involved with community organizations, such as: The Daughters of the American Revolution (Junior Member – Janet Montgomery Chapter), The Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School Young Alumnae Association, The Xavier University National Alumni Association (Washington, DC Chapter), and The Xavier University Capital Alumni Network softball team.

I am a lifelong resident of Montgomery County and practice Criminal Defense law in the Federal and State Courts of Maryland and the District of Columbia. I am a very proud graduate of the University of Maryland and University of Baltimore Law School. I have been honored in 2009 to serve as Chair of the Maryland State Bar Association Criminal Law Section Council and to previously have served as President of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney Association. I am also serving my second 4 year term as the Criminal Defense representative on the Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy appointed by Governor O'Malley. (www.msccsp.org). In nearly 25 years of practice now, I have handled a wide range of different types of cases including approximately 50 homicides cases, complex Federal drug and white collar type cases, and nearly every other type of criminal and traffic case. I am also widely known as an expert in asset forfeiture matters.

A letter from James E. Crawford Jr.:

One of the least things I enjoy doing is writing about myself. That is probably true about most of us. However, I thought it was important to convey a little about the lawyer and person you want to represent you.

I have been practicing law since 1992. I completed my undergraduate college degree in 1985 at Frostburg State College, Master of Arts at University of Baltimore in 1987 and Juris Doctor Degree in 1992 at University of Baltimore School of Law.

I am a member of the Maryland Bar Association, Baltimore County Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, various other Bar Associations, various committees for Judicial Elections and other Legal Associations. I was elected a member of the Maryland Democratic State Central Committee and have been interested in politics for many years. I have handled many high profile Maryland Political races and have worked with many high profile political figures.

As an attorney I have handled literally thousands of cases throughout the years. Many of them high profile as well as the standard run of the mill type cases. I practice in all Maryland Counties, all District Courts, Circuit Courts and Federal Courts. Quite frankly there isn't a Courtroom in the State of Maryland that I haven't been in.

When I decided to build this web site I was asked to write and describe a little about myself. I had to stop and think about the qualities that I possess and why I have been so successful practicing law all these years. In other words what makes me the type of lawyer and person that you would want to represent you. Why do clients continue to come back and why is the majority of my practice referrals from other clients that are very satisfied with the out come of their cases. Without being too forthright, probably the most desirous quality that I have is the fact that I really care about the outcome of my client's case and their well being. I believe that it is really important for a lawyer to strive and to do their best for a client in every way possible. Frankly, I think my profession has lost its way in that regard somewhat. There are still a lot of good lawyers out there, but I think a lot of people don't look at lawyers the way they used to. I also believe it is very important for a lawyer to represent a client with all their ability and skill. It is my duty to stand between you and the police and to convince a judge or a jury that a particular out come is best for you. I still believe practicing law is a noble cause and justifies using all my energy and skills to represent a client.

I am a trial lawyer, plain and simple. I am in Court just about every day of my working life. I have handled thousands of cases and I am very familiar with the Courthouse and Courthouse personnel. That is why I have been so successful, because I have been there many times.

Ok, a little about myself. I grew up in Baltimore, attended Mount St. Joseph High School. I am married and have four (4) great children. I have always been involved in the community by coaching sports for kids and being involved with other charities. I have also always played and loved sports, especially basketball and baseball. My favorite music is by The Whoâ. I think Ive always identified with their music because of the underdog theme that seems to run throughout their songs. Its fitting for me because thats how I feel about my clients. Most people come to me when they are at one of the lowest points in their life, either they have been charged with a crime, or they have some other crisis in their life. They feel like the whole world is against them. My job as a trial lawyer is to stand next to you in your time of need and get the job done. That is part of my basic personality and nature.

Ive learned that the practice of law really has no end. In other words a good lawyer will admit that there are always new things to learn, not just about his clients and the law, but also about trying to find ways to resolve complex situations. My experience and knowledge is a result of many years of tilling the fields of law. If you need help call my office and lets discuss it.

Very truly yours,

JIM CRAWFORD, JR.

Jac E. Knust began his law practice in 1972 and practices primarily in the Central Maryland Metropolitan area. He is engaged in a general practice with emphasis on family law, divorce, separation and property settlement agreements, elder law, estate planning, wills, probate, trusts, powers of attorney, health care advance directives, criminal matters, real estate, landlord/tenant, business planning, corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.

He is a former Assistant State's Attorney for Howard County, a former Assistant Public Defender for Howard County.

Jac E. Knust is a trained mediator and has mediated family law and civil disputes for the past 15 years. He has two associates who practice with him and they are also trained mediators who emphasize out of court solutions to legal disputes. All attorneys are trained in Collaborative Law, which involves the use of specially trained coaches and financial professionals who help the parties reach an amicable non adversarial solution to problems, with special sensitivity to the impact of divorce on children.