Emerson L. Dorsey, Jr.

Mr. Dorsey is a partner of the firm’s Business, Corporate, and Tax and Real Estate Departments and has represented a broad spectrum of clients in real estate, business, commercial, and administrative matters.  His clients include developers and builders in the acquisition, financing and development of commercial, industrial and residential property; residential project owners and managers, as well as condominium and homeowner associations; office building and industrial park owners and managers; landlords and tenants of commercial, industrial and retail facilities; institutional lenders; and religious organizations.

Mr. Dorsey’s practice has included the following activities:

• Advocating for his clients in land use matters and zoning issues (special exceptions, variances, conditional uses, as well as rezoning), as well as local jurisdiction administrative and development plan approvals

• Representing developers in land acquisition, development, financing, construction and sales throughout the region

• Representing developers with mixed use, commercial, and residential projects, including the establishment of condominium, co-op development, and homeowner associations

• Representing landlords and tenants in the leasing of thousands of square feet of office, retail and industrial space

• Advising numerous purchasers and sellers in the acquisition and sale of businesses

• Representing institutional lenders in issuance of commercial loans and, as needed, workout or foreclosure of loans

• Counseling commercial and residential builders and contractors in matters of construction disputes, lien claims and general construction matters

Mr. Dorsey represents religious organizations in an outside counsel position assisting them with general business matters, including acquisitions, construction, and labor and employment issues.

In 2008, Mr. Dorsey was appointed a member of the Baltimore County Ethics Commission.  He also serves on the Boards of Directors of the United Way of Central Maryland, University of Maryland School of Law Alumni Association, and the Board of Directors of Advance Bank.  Previously, Mr. Dorsey served as a member of the Board of Friends of the Family, Inc. (1991-2005) and Maryland Aviation Commission (1995-1997).  He was Assistant Attorney General in Maryland from 1980 to 1985.

In addition to authoring and contributing to various articles and books, Mr. Dorsey is a frequent speaker.  He was program moderator at the 9th Annual American Bar Association Conference on Affordable Housing and Community Development Law in Washington, D.C. and lectured on "Contracts with the Homebuyer and Mandatory Disclosures Under Federal, State and Local Law," for the Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers in 1995 and 1998.  He is a member of the Section Council of the Maryland State Bar Association's Real Property, Planning & Zoning Section.