Portrait of Howard Kurman

Howard K. Kurman

Founder and Principal

Howard K. Kurman is a labor and employment attorney. Howard regularly counsels clients on all aspects of proactive labor/employment issues. He represents employers ranging in size from as small as 20 employees to those employers with geographically disparate locations consisting of over 2,000 employees. Howard assures, through regular contact with his clients, that they promulgate and maintain the most effective employment policies that will, to the extent possible, minimize their legal exposure in today’s litigious workplace. Howard also offers advice on critical employment documents such as employee handbooks, employment agreements, covenants not to compete as well as confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, stand-alone employment policies and collective bargaining agreements.

Howard is frequently retained by companies to conduct objective and well- respected workplace investigations. These investigations encompass a wide-ranging spectrum of issues including workplace harassment, employee misconduct, whistle-blower complaints and misappropriation of proprietary or confidential company data. He has been widely recognized for his thorough investigatory techniques and his comprehensive written reports which are provided to his clients at the conclusion of his investigation. Frequently following the completion of his investigations Howard is then retained to conduct remedial training of a company’s managerial staff for the purpose of avoiding similar problematic issues in the future. Uniformly his managerial training has received superlative reviews by those companies who have utilized his sophisticated workplace training modules.

Howard is also a skilled employment litigator who has successfully represented employers in a myriad of administrative, judicial, and commercial litigation before the NLRB, EEOC, federal and state courts and other administrative agencies such as the Department of Labor and OFCCP. He also counsels clients on union-related issues, and regularly serves as chief spokesperson in  collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of his unionized clients.

Throughout his extensive legal career, Howard has represented a multitude of nonprofit organizations in both employment-related and governance/compliance issues. Over the years, many nonprofit organizations have sought out his expertise in navigating the often-specialized legal issues which such organizations much confront in today’s extensively regulated nonprofit environment.

Throughout his extensive and sophisticated legal practice Howard has developed a reputation for providing representation to his management clients and high-level executives that is predicated upon sound practical legal advice. Upon returning to private practice after working several years in in-house labor positions (at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, and at The Baltimore Sun), he successfully began the firm's comprehensive labor and employment practice, which currently encompasses dozens of skilled labor and employment attorneys. His prior in-house experience has enabled Mr. Kurman to relate to the middle and upper management levels of any company in a non-legalistic and practical manner. Thus, his clients often perceive him as part of their trusted advisory team, so much so that he is often consulted before an employment issue arises as opposed to after the problem has become a much more inflammatory one to resolve.

    Education

    • Georgetown University Law Center (LL.M.)
    • University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
    • University of Maryland College Park (B.S., summa cum laude)
      • Economics (Phi Beta Kappa)

    State Bar Admissions

    • Maryland

    Court Admissions

    • Supreme Court of the United States
    • United States District Court for the District of Maryland
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

    Professional Affiliations

    • Unified Community Connections, Board of Directors
    • Member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Maryland Carey School of Law and Past Chair
    • The Children’s Guild, Board of Directors
    • Industrial Relations Research Association, Maryland Chapter, Past President

    Recognitions

    • Named The Best Lawyers in America® for Employment Law - Management (2015-2027)
    • Who’s Who in American Law, 10th Edition
    • AV Preeminent® Rated Attorney​, as reported by Martindale-Hubbell
    • Selected to Maryland Super Lawyers® for Employment & Labor (2010-2013 and 2016-2026)
    • Icon Honors, The Daily Record, 2022
    • Distinguished Lawyer™, The Expert Network©, 2017
  • Biography
  • Publications & News
  • Offit Kurman Blogs
  • Featured Works
  • Videos

Firm Highlights

  • Podcasts
    Behind the Scenes at Howard County Hospital with Kirsten Baier
    What does it take to fund the growing healthcare needs of an entire community? Kirsten Baier, Vice President of the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Foundation, joins Linda Ostovitz to discuss the critical role philanthropy plays in healthcare and why fundraising is essential to improving patient care, expanding services, and supporting hospital growth. Drawing from her experience in nonprofit development, public health, and healthcare philanthropy, Kirsten shares how donor relationships are built, how charitable investments help fund major projects, and why transparency and community engagement are key to successful fundraising. She also explains Maryland’s unique hospital reimbursement model, the challenges facing modern healthcare systems, and how community support helps bridge the gap between growing demand and available resources. Whether you are a nonprofit leader, healthcare professional, philanthropist, business executive, or community advocate, this conversation offers valuable insights into leadership, relationship building, strategic fundraising, and the lasting impact of giving back locally. Follow and subscribe to Real Talk Real Growth wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes feature practical conversations with leaders who are creating meaningful impact in business and their communities. If this episode resonates with you, leave a five-star review and share it with someone who is passionate about leadership, healthcare, or community engagement.
  • Events
    MACFO's Inside Successful CEO & CFO Partnerships
    Please join us on September 18 for an event that’s sure to be a home run! ***We will lead off by interviewing our Spotlight Speaker Series guest, Baltimore Orioles CFO, Darline Llamas Llopis.*** After, we will ask ourselves, what separates great companies from good ones? We believe that more often than not, it is the strength of the partnership between the CEO and CFO that matters, so we are bringing you three CEO/CFO leadership teams to learn from. The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore – Andrew Cushnir and Sam Klein Canusa Paper & Packaging – Mike Walter and Vince Salamone Secom, LLC – Toni Toomey and Mourad Awad Join us for an exclusive executive briefing – three tandem presentations followed by a panel discussion - featuring CEOs and CFOs from different but leading organizations as they share candid insights into building trust, navigating difficult decisions, driving strategic growth, and leading through today's business challenges. You'll hear firsthand how these executive teams navigate conflict, align on priorities, and build high-performing organizations. Whether you're a CFO, controller, finance executive, or an aspiring business leader, you'll leave with practical ideas and fresh perspectives you can apply immediately. Meet Our Speakers: Darline Llamas Llopis • Orioles  Chief Financial Officer Darline Llamas Llopis is in her second season with the Orioles as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Prior to joining the Orioles, Llamas Llopis spent four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, and the F1 Miami Grand Prix as Vice President of Finance and Retail. In this capacity, she managed the finance, accounting, payroll, account payables, procurement and merchandise operations for the team and race. She also previously served for four years as the Director of Finance and Controller at the Los Angeles Rams. Llamas Llopis started her career in public accounting with Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers as a member of the Commercial Real Estate practice.  Llamas Llopis completed her MBA at UCLA Anderson School of Management and received her Master of Accountancy from the University of Southern California (USC) where she also graduated cum laude with an undergraduate degree in business. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and is an active CPA. She resides in Baltimore with her husband, Devin, and their son, Santiago. Andrew Cushnir • The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore   President & Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cushnir is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Associated, having started in the role in May 2024. He is the eighth person to serve in this role since The Associated’s founding over 100 years ago. Andrew brings a wealth of experience and a profound dedication to strengthening and enriching the Jewish community. His journey within the Jewish Federation system began as a passionate lay leader and volunteer before he transitioned into serving as a professional. He worked for the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles for twenty years, including in the roles of Chief Planning and Program Officer and Chief Development Officer. During this time, Andrew played a crucial role in reshaping the allocation process and fostering a culture of collaboration and partnership and he also led all annual, project, and emergency fundraising, as well as planned giving efforts. As a member of the Federation’s executive team, he also addressed complex community and organizational issues. Andrew and his wife Sharon Spira-Cushnir, a seasoned nonprofit human services executive, are the proud parents of two children in their early 20s. Sam Klein • The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore  Chief Financial Officer Sam Klein is a seasoned nonprofit finance executive with nearly two decades of experience leading financial strategy, operations, budgeting, and organizational transformation for mission-driven institutions. As Chief Financial Officer of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, he oversees the organization's financial operations, investment stewardship, budgeting processes, risk management, and long-term financial planning, helping advance the Federation's mission of strengthening and supporting Jewish life in Baltimore, Israel, and around the world. Throughout his career, Sam has been recognized for his ability to align financial stewardship with organizational mission, drive process improvements, implement technology solutions, and build high-performing teams. His expertise includes nonprofit finance, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting, investment oversight, financial reporting, compliance, operational excellence, and organizational growth. Sam earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from Syracuse University. Mike Walter • Canusa's Paper & Packaging Chief Executive Officer As Chief Executive Officer of Canusa Paper & Packaging (CPP), Mike Walter leads one of the world's leading independent international brokerages of containerboard and packaging papers. Mike recently celebrated his 20th anniversary with Canusa and has overseen a doubling of the business in the past five years. Mike’s first role at Canusa was an intern before moving into a risk management role. Progressive promotions over the years led Mike to serve as Canusa's Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, as well as General Counsel for its affiliate, Canusa Hershman before becoming the CPP CEO on January 1st, 2025. Mike graduated with a B.S. in Commerce & Engineering from Drexel University before earning his J.D. at the University of Baltimore’s School of Law. Vince Salamone • Canusa's Paper & Packaging Chief Financial Officer Vince Salamone serves as Chief Financial Officer of Canusa Paper & Packaging, overseeing the company's global financial strategy and overall operations, risk management, and other shared services. Since joining Canusa in 2018, Vince has advanced from Corporate Controller to CFO. Prior to Canusa, Vince held senior accounting and financial reporting roles at modular space leader Algeco Scotsman and supply chain real estate operator Realterm, bringing extensive expertise in finance and corporate accounting. He began his career with Deloitte, providing assurance services to clients in aerospace and defense, software, and manufacturing throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Vince attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, earning his B.S. in Accounting in 2012 and his CPA license in 2014. Toni Toomey • Secom, LLC Chief Executive Officer As Chief Executive Officer of Secom, LLC, Toni Toomey leads the company's external vision, culture, and strategic growth. A Howard County native, Toni brings an entrepreneurial spirit and a people-first philosophy to one of Maryland's leading commercial security firms — championing internal promotion and a culture of integrity. Toni serves on the Board of Directors for Maryland Tech Council, the Howard County Chamber, as well as the Steering Committee for the Maryland Rural Tech Network. Mourad Awad • Secom, LLC Chief Financial Officer As Chief Financial Officer of Secom, LLC, Mourad Awad architects the company’s financial strategy, performance, and value creation. A leader, by example, Mourad believes in empowering people and fostering communication. With 20+ years of leadership across private equity, federal contracting, construction, and infrastructure services, Mourad brings a strategic approach to partnering with Toni – CEO to turn vision into precision execution, delivering exceptional value to Secom customers and sustainable growth for SECOM.  Thank You to Our Sponsors