Ashleigh J. F. Lynn
AJ also frequently lends her legal counsel to those in need as a volunteer for the House of Ruth, representing victims of domestic violence pro bono at protective order hearings, and through the Tahirih Justice Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting immigrant women and girls seeking asylum in the United States from gender-based violence. After leading a team that achieved a hard-fought grant of asylum for a client referred by Tahirih, AJ and her team were named Tahirih's Maryland Pro Bono Attorneys of the year. AJ has also provided substantial pro bono counsel to the Public Justice Center, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the Assistance Center of Towson Churches.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Defended an international technology company in a multi-million-dollar breach of contract dispute, securing a settlement resolving all claims against the client and ensuring the client's retention of a substantial portion of the paid purchase price
- Defended a large pharmaceutical manufacturer in an arbitration over a $2 million breach of contract claim, defeating this claim and recovering $4.35 million on counterclaim
- Member of a team that defended a regional bank in a securities class action case
- Defended generic pharmaceutical companies against antitrust class actions
- Secured a confidential settlement against a competitor in a trade secret misappropriation case
- Defended multiple employers against claims related to employee or contractor negligence
- Secured favorable resolutions in sponsorship contract disputes
- Secured asylum on behalf of a doctor from the Gambia in a particularly complicated fear of future harm case
- Successfully represented four victims of domestic violence in protective order proceedings in district courts throughout Maryland, including an appeal in Baltimore County Circuit Court
- Secured a favorable settlement in a civil rights action brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against municipality and correctional officers for excessive use of force
- Counseled multiple corporations and nonprofits to develop comprehensive and effective information governance policies
Insights
Credentials
Education
- J.D. Boston University School of Law 2010
- Honors in Litigation and Dispute Resolution Concentration
- B.A. International Relations Claremont McKenna College 2007
Bar Admissions
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
- New York
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- Eastern District of New York
- Southern District of New York
Clerk Experience
- Honorable Christopher B. Kehoe Maryland Court of Special Appeals 2010 2012
Professional Memberships and Activities
- Maryland Bar Association
Recognition
- Recipient of the Benjamin R. Civiletti Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award, 2016
- Recipient of the Tahirih Maryland Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award, 2016
Community
Personal Activities
AJ serves as president of the board of directors for Generation Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides direct scholarships and one-on-one mentoring to teen parents who are attending college in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC.
Prior to joining Venable, AJ served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Christopher B. Kehoe on the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. While in law school, AJ served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Deborah K. Chasanow, of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland; the Honorable Marvin J. Garbis, of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland; and the Honorable William G. Connelly, chief magistrate judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.
AJ played varsity water polo in college and club rugby in college and after law school. AJ is a Ravens fan, and enjoys travel, hiking, snowboarding, camping, and experiencing different cuisines.