Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver

For businesses and organizations across Maryland, particularly those operating within the dynamic economy of Baltimore, navigating complex legal and regulatory landscapes is a constant challenge. Having access to sophisticated legal counsel that understands specific industry needs is paramount for growth, compliance, and dispute resolution. This article provides an overview of Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver, a historic Baltimore-based law firm that, as of January 2017, combined with the national firm Baker Donelson. While the firm now operates under the Baker Donelson name, its legacy and the expertise of its Baltimore team continue to serve a broad range of clients in the region.

Founded in 1903, Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver built a sterling reputation over more than a century, becoming a highly regarded firm for its integrated regulatory, transactional, and litigation services. Its combination with Baker Donelson created one of the largest and most prominent law firms in the United States, significantly enhancing its capabilities, particularly in the health care sector. For local businesses and institutions in Maryland, understanding the breadth of services and the deep-rooted history of this legal presence can be crucial when seeking high-level legal guidance for intricate corporate, regulatory, and litigation matters. This overview aims to be informative and engaging, highlighting why this firm, now part of Baker Donelson, remains a key legal resource for the Maryland community.

Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver, now operating as part of Baker Donelson, is located at 120 E Baltimore St UNIT 800, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA. While some sources may list their corporate office at 100 Light Street, the 120 East Baltimore Street address is a prominent and accessible location within the city's central business district. This puts the firm in the heart of downtown Baltimore, offering exceptional convenience and accessibility for clients.

The downtown Baltimore location is ideally situated for easy access from various parts of the city and surrounding counties. Baltimore's robust public transportation network provides multiple options:

• Light Rail: Several Light Rail stops are within a short walking distance.
• Metro Subway: The Metro Subway also has stations conveniently located near East Baltimore Street.
• Bus Routes: Numerous MTA bus lines serve the downtown area, providing extensive coverage.

For those traveling by car, there are multiple parking garages and lots available in the vicinity of the office building, though it is always advisable to check current availability and rates. The firm's presence in a major office tower in a thriving urban center means it is well-connected to the city's economic and legal infrastructure. This strategic location ensures that businesses and individuals throughout Maryland have convenient access to sophisticated legal services, minimizing travel time and making high-level legal counsel more attainable. The accessibility of a firm this size is a significant advantage for local businesses and organizations.

Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver, now integrated into Baker Donelson, offers a comprehensive suite of legal services, providing integrated regulatory, transactional, and litigation services primarily to business clients. Their historical strengths, which continue as key practice areas within Baker Donelson's Baltimore office, are particularly prominent in several critical industries.

Key services and practice areas include:

• Health Care Law: This is a highly significant area, with the combined firm boasting one of the largest and most dynamic health practices in the United States. Services cover regulatory compliance, transactional matters (such as mergers and acquisitions for healthcare entities), and litigation involving healthcare providers and institutions.
• Litigation: A core practice, encompassing a wide array of disputes. This includes complex commercial litigation, intellectual property disputes, labor and employment litigation, and other forms of civil litigation.
• Business and Corporate Law: Providing integrated services to various business organizations. This includes general corporate counsel, corporate governance, contract drafting and negotiation, and advising on mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions.
• Construction Law: Offering legal services to the construction industry, covering contract disputes, construction defects, and other legal challenges specific to building and development projects.
• Finance and Financial Institutions: Representing financial institutions in regulatory matters, compliance, lending transactions, and related litigation.
• Regulatory and Administrative Law: Guiding clients through complex federal and state regulatory frameworks, ensuring compliance and representing them in administrative proceedings. This is crucial for heavily regulated industries like healthcare and finance.
• Tax Law: Providing counsel on various tax matters, including corporate tax, individual tax planning, and tax litigation.
• Real Estate Law: Assisting with commercial real estate transactions, development projects, zoning issues, and real estate disputes.
• Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy: Representing creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, debt recovery, and other insolvency-related matters.
• Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation: Advising on ERISA, executive compensation plans, and other employee benefits issues.
• Employment and Labor Law: Offering counsel on employment agreements, workplace policies, discrimination claims, wage and hour disputes, and other labor-related matters.
• Intellectual Property: Protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights, including trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

This extensive list demonstrates the firm's capacity to handle sophisticated legal needs for a diverse commercial and institutional client base, leveraging its deep industry knowledge and comprehensive legal expertise.

Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver, now operating as part of Baker Donelson, possesses a rich history and numerous distinguishing features that make it a prominent legal force in Maryland and beyond.

• Legacy of Over a Century: Founded in 1903, the firm has more than 120 years of experience in the legal landscape, building a reputation for excellence and contributing to the prosperity of the Mid-Atlantic region. This long-standing history signifies stability and deep roots in the community.
• Combination with Baker Donelson: The 2017 combination with Baker Donelson significantly enhanced the firm's capabilities and national reach. This merger created one of the 50 largest law firms in the U.S., expanding resources and expertise across numerous practice areas and geographical locations.
• Prominence in Key Industries: The firm's health, litigation, business, construction, and finance practices are recognized as among the most prominent in the United States. This indicates specialized knowledge and a strong track record in these sectors. The health practice, in particular, became the third largest and most dynamic in the country post-merger.
• Integrated Legal Services: They provide integrated regulatory, transactional, and litigation services. This means clients can receive comprehensive legal support, from proactive compliance advice and deal facilitation to robust representation in disputes, all from a single firm.
• Commitment to Client Service: The firm maintains a vision of client service and core values of quality, integrity, respect, and commitment to their communities. This emphasizes a client-first approach in delivering legal solutions.
• Community Involvement and Pro Bono Work: Ober Kaler, and now Baker Donelson, has a genuine concern for the communities they serve, illustrated by extensive volunteer contributions, award-winning pro bono legal representations, and community grant programs. This demonstrates a commitment beyond just legal practice.
• Strategic Growth and Stability: Over time, the firm's growth has been described as "careful and deliberate," sticking to its strengths and focusing on effective service. This indicates a stable and well-managed organization.
• Distinguished Alumni: The firm boasts a history of prominent attorneys, including two who went on to become governors of Maryland (Albert C. Ritchie and Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.), highlighting a legacy of influential legal professionals.

These features collectively position the firm as a highly reputable, capable, and client-focused legal partner for businesses and organizations in Maryland.

As a large, established corporate law firm, Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver (now Baker Donelson) does not offer "promotions" or "special offers" in the consumer retail sense. Their value proposition is based on their extensive expertise, comprehensive service offerings, and the sophisticated nature of the legal issues they handle for businesses and institutions.

However, clients can expect the following practices common to high-level corporate legal services:

• Tailored Engagements: Legal services are customized to the specific needs of each business or organization, with fee structures that reflect the complexity and scope of the work.
• Strategic Consultations: While not always "free," initial consultations with a firm of this caliber provide valuable strategic advice and insights into complex legal matters. These discussions are an opportunity to assess the firm's capabilities and align on objectives.
• Value-Added Client Resources: Large firms like Baker Donelson often provide clients with access to valuable resources, such as legal updates, webinars on regulatory changes, and industry-specific insights, which add value beyond direct legal work.

For businesses or institutions in Maryland considering legal services from Baker Donelson (the successor to Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver), it is best to directly contact their Baltimore office to discuss specific legal needs and to understand their engagement process and fee arrangements. This direct communication will ensure transparency and provide a clear understanding of the sophisticated legal solutions they provide.

For businesses, organizations, and individuals in Baltimore and the broader Maryland region seeking sophisticated legal counsel, you can reach the Baltimore office of Baker Donelson, which now incorporates the legacy of Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver. The following contact details are publicly available:

Address: 120 E Baltimore St UNIT 800, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA (Note: some sources may list 100 Light Street, which is also a prominent Baltimore location for the firm).

Phone: (410) 347-7384

Mobile Phone: +1 410-347-7384

When contacting the firm, it is advisable to have a clear understanding of your legal needs and objectives. Given the firm's focus on complex business, health care, and litigation matters, providing a concise summary of your situation will help them direct your inquiry to the most appropriate legal professional within their extensive team. This direct communication is the first step in engaging with a firm that offers deep legal resources and a long history of serving the Maryland business community.

For businesses, institutions, and individuals in Maryland, particularly those in Baltimore, Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver (now operating as part of Baker Donelson) stands out as an exceptionally suitable and robust legal partner. Its strategic location at 120 E Baltimore Street in the heart of downtown Baltimore offers unparalleled accessibility, ensuring that clients can easily reach their offices via public transportation or private vehicle. This central position within the city's financial and legal hub facilitates efficient communication and collaboration, which is crucial for complex legal matters.

The firm's suitability for locals is deeply rooted in its extensive history and expanded capabilities. With a legacy spanning over a century, the attorneys bring a profound understanding of Maryland's legal and business landscape. The combination with Baker Donelson in 2017 significantly augmented their resources, transforming them into a national powerhouse while maintaining a strong local presence. This means Maryland clients benefit from the personalized attention of local attorneys who understand the regional nuances, coupled with the vast resources, expertise, and national reach of a top-tier firm. Specializing in critical areas such as health care, business, construction, and finance law, they offer integrated regulatory, transactional, and litigation services designed to meet the sophisticated demands of modern enterprises. For Maryland's businesses navigating complex legal challenges, seeking strategic counsel, or requiring strong representation in litigation, the combined strength and deep-rooted community commitment of Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver, now Baker Donelson, makes them an invaluable and highly trusted legal asset.