Mr. DeLeonardo, the Managing Partner of DeLeonardo, Smith & Associates, has an extensive professional background that enables him to serve the various legal needs his clients face. Prior to law school, he worked for a number of years as a commercial realtor, and in doing so, handled the location and acquisition of investment properties including office buildings and shopping centers. He ultimately attended the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he graduated in the top 4% of his class. As a result of this prior professional background, he sought legal coursework that included contracts, criminal law, business law, real property, and estate planning.

During law school, he received the American Jurisprudence Award for obtaining the top score in his class in Constitutional Criminal Procedure and Federal Civil Procedure, twice competed with the National Moot Court Team, and was twice named among the Who's Who of American Law Students. Mr. DeLeonardo, as a law student, wrote an article that was accepted for publication by the University of Baltimore Law Journal concerning the use of baton techniques by the Baltimore City Police Department, and how such techniques would constitute deadly force. He also had the opportunity to work for several law firms that concentrated on business, real estate, and estate planning matters, and witnessed the costly litigation and unnecessary turmoil that often stems from a lack of planning by those involved in both business and estate matters.

After graduation, Mr. DeLeonardo was offered a one year clerkship with the Honorable Charles E. Moylan, Jr., sitting for the Court of Special Appeals for Maryland. During his time in this clerkship, he was able to work closely with Judge Moylan on a number of significant criminal and civil appeals being handled by the Court, and as such, was able to garner a solid understanding of the appellate process and the keys to successful appellate advocacy.

Upon completion of this clerkship, Mr. DeLeonardo developed extensive litigation experience. He first accepted a position as a prosecutor with the Carroll County State's Attorneys' Office where he ultimately obtained the job of Senior Assistant State's Attorney. During his time with the office, he was responsible for prosecuting a wide range of cases including arson, burglary, drug possession and distribution, DUI/DWI, driving suspended and revoked, juvenile matters, murder, robbery, and white-collar crimes. As a senior prosecutor, Mr. DeLeonardo was taught, and utilized daily, prosecutorial techniques that he currently confronts representing his clients. Indeed, he attended numerous training seminars around the country that concerned issues such as DUI/DWI, vehicular manslaughter, homicide investigation techniques, grand jury practices, DNA evidence, and forensic evidence collection. Mr. DeLeonardo was also asked to testify before the Maryland House of Delegates on issues involving legislation concerning drunk driving.

Mr. DeLeonardo was then offered and accepted a position in the Criminal Investigations Division of the Maryland Attorney General's Office. In this position, he was requested by the Attorney General to establish and supervise the Firearms Trafficking Unit, which is a unit dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of gun-related crimes throughout the State. Mr. DeLeonardo headed several significant investigations and prosecutions involving illegal gun trafficking, many of which involved cooperative efforts of federal and state law enforcement agencies. Indeed, during this time Mr. DeLeonardo worked closely with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Maryland State Police, the Baltimore City Police, the Baltimore County Police, and many prosecutors' offices throughout the State.

Throughout his legal career, Mr. DeLeonardo has been sought after to teach on a range of legal issues including confession law, search and seizure law, firearms laws and regulations, proper investigative techniques, and courtroom preparation and testimony. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law, and teaches law students proper methods for writing appellate briefs and arguing legal issues before appellate courts. Mr. DeLeonardo has been requested to train police investigators from a wide range of law enforcement agencies, including the Delaware State Fire Academy, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maryland State Police, the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, Prince George's County State's Attorneys' Office, the Westminster City Police, and the Wyoming State Fire Marshall's Office.

Mr. DeLeonardo currently represents individuals facing a range of criminal charges, as well as assists business owners and families in their business ventures, real estate matters, and estate planning needs. Mr. Deleonardo is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association, and a participant in the Business Law, Estate and Trust, and Real Property sections. He is also an active member of the Maryland Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

See Brian's Certificates