CHRISTOPHER (CHRIS) J. MINCHER JOINS MDSW; FURTHER EXPANDING THE FIRM’S ANNAPOLIS OFFICE AND BOLSTERING ITS ADMINSTRATIVE LAW AND CORPORATE PRACTICES
McAllister, DeTar, Showalter & Walker LLC (“MDSW”) is pleased to announce that Christopher (Chris) J. Mincher has joined the law firm as Of Counsel after most recently serving as Chief Legal Counsel for Governor Larry Hogan. With the addition of Mr. Mincher, the firm’s Annapolis office has grown to eight lawyers with primary offices at this location since the firm expanded into Anne Arundel County in 2020.
Chris practiced in the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel since 2016, serving the past two years as the senior deputy and Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Hogan, providing general legal advice on constitutional and statutory powers, structure and the operation of State government, and ethics laws. In addition, he oversaw and advised on major litigation involving the Executive Branch, drafted executive and emergency orders carrying the force of law, reviewed and analyzed proposed legislation, and advised and made recommendations for judicial appointments and clemency petitions, as well as addressed internal personnel matters and served as the public information representative with responsibility to review and respond to record requests.
“While focused on expanding the Annapolis office since its opening in 2020, we have been selective to ensure that each addition supports and supplements the long-term growth of not only the Annapolis office but the firm,” said Douglas Walker, Managing Partner of MDSW. “We know Chris had plenty of options upon completion of the Governor’s second term, and are elated that he chose to return to private practice with us. He is the perfect fit. We know his experience will be immediately accretive to our business clients in navigating difficult and complex transactions in the State of Maryland. His experience leading a group of talented lawyers as Chief Legal Counsel will be integral to the development of the younger lawyers in our Annapolis office.”
“I am really excited about joining a regional firm with sophisticated clients and that has a focus and commitment to the Annapolis market,” said Chris Mincher. “As an Annapolis native and resident, I share MDSW’s vision of serving clients throughout the State with a strong and vibrant Annapolis presence.”
Chris began his legal career clerking for the Hon. Benson Everett Legg on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and for the Hon. Robert N. McDonald on the Supreme Court of Maryland. He was born and raised in Annapolis, and attended Annapolis High School and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.A. in Government (cum laude) and a B.A. in Journalism, and from the University of Virginia School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Virginia Law Weekly and the Development Editor/Assistant Articles Editor to the Journal of Law & Politics.
Chris currently resides in Annapolis with his wife and three children. He will be based in the firm’s Annapolis Office and may be reached at (667) 458-7368.