About

John graduated from Loyola College in Baltimore in 1986. In 1989 he graduated from Widener University School of Law. Upon graduation he entered the United States Naval Judge Advocate Corps. After graduating from the Naval Justice School in Newport Rhode Island he was assigned to the Naval Legal Service Office in Norfolk, Virginia. As a Navy JAG he gained valuable trial experience, first as a prosecutor, and subsequently as a defense attorney, in both Special and General Courts-Martial. He also had the opportunity to deploy during Operation Desert Shield with Amphibious Squadron Eight to the Persian Gulf.

In 1993 John joined the Office of the Public Defender in Charles County. Utilizing his skills developed in the JAG Corps, he quickly was successful representing individuals charged with the most serious felonies. During this four year time frame John was regularly advocating for his clients in jury trials throughout Southern Maryland. John’s reputation as a zealous advocate caused him to be recognized as The Outstanding Public Defender in Southern Maryland for 1995 and 1997.

In 1997 John’s talent as a trial lawyer was noticed by Mudd, Mudd and Fitzgerald, P.A., resulting in him being hired as an associate in the firm. He continued to practice criminal law, but also quickly honed his trial skills in the area of Family Law. In 2000 John became a partner at Mudd, Mudd and Fitzgerald, P.A. He continued his legal practice in the area of criminal law, family law and started handling Chapter 7 and 13 Bankruptcies on a regular basis. John’s experience in the court room was noticed by Governor Hogan when he was appointed to the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for St Mary’s and Calvert County in 2015.

Practice Areas

Bar Admission

  • 1989, Maryland
  • 1997, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland

Education

Member

  • Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties
  • Charles County Bar Association
  • Maryland State Bar Association, Inc. (Peer Review and Fee Dispute Resolution Committee)
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Bar Association.
  • Maryland Bar Foundation
  • American Society of Legal Advocates

Military Service

  • U.S. Navy, 1989-1993, LCDR