Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

I run a virtual law firm in Maryland and the District of Columbia from my home in Palm Beach Gardens Florida by email and telephone for pro se litigants in family law. (I am a member of the Maryland and District of Columbia Bar) I am the author of "How to Do Your Own Divorce in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia," and "Divorce: A Do-It-Yourself Manual For Marylanders," I am very interested in the potential the role that the role that Internet technology can have in making legal services affordable.

I am presently Co-Chair of the ELawyering Task Force of the Law Practice Management Section of the American Bar Association, whose mission is to help lawyers deliver legal affordable legal services over the Internet to clients of moderate income and serve on the Law Practice Management Council. I am also a liaison member of the Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services of the ABA., which is concerned with developing new methods of delivering legal services to people of moderate means. I am Co-Author of the Best Practice Guidelines for Legal Information Web Site Providers which were adopted by the ABA House of Delegates in February 2003.


In addition, I have been:

* the Coordinator of a pro se project on self-help representation in family law matters. See research on pro se representation at http://www.pro-selaw.org. This is where I learned about the power of self-help, and I maintain this site for others who are interested in this important movement.
* the Founder of the People's Law Library of Maryland. This project taught me about the power of the Web to change peoples lives through the provision of legal information.
* a member of the American Bar Association, the Maryland Bar Association, (and a member of the Family Law Section for both), and the District of Columbia Bar Association. I am a graduate of Columbia University School of Law (J.D.); the University of Pennsylvania, (M.S.); and Lehigh University. (B.A.).
* a member of the core group that started the Civil Justice Network of Maryland.

I have the same wife for 46 years, 4 children, and 5 grandchildren, all of which keeps me busy in my spare time.

I relocated to Germantown, Maryland in 1990 from Brooklyn, New York. I have practiced law here ever since. My practice concentrates in the area of family law, personal injury and bankruptcy. We do our best to assist our clients as they transitioning through their legal difficulties.

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.