Adam B. Abelson | |
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| Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Maryland | |
| Assumed office September 12, 2024 | |
| Appointed by | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | James K. Bredar |
| Magistrate Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Maryland | |
| In office September 18, 2023 – September 12, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Beth P. Gesner |
| Succeeded by | Chelsea J. Crawford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Adam Ben Abelson 1982 (age 42–43) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Education | Princeton University (BA) New York University (JD) |
Adam Ben Abelson (born 1982)[1] is an American lawyer who has served as aUnited States district judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Maryland since 2024. He previously served as aUnited States magistrate judge of the same court from 2023 to 2024.
Abelson grew up inShaker Heights, Ohio.[2] He received aBachelor of Arts,cum laude, fromPrinceton University in 2005 and aJuris Doctor,magna cum laude, fromNew York University School of Law in 2010.[3]
From 2010 to 2011, he served as alaw clerk to JudgeCatherine C. Blake of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland and again from 2011 to 2012 to JudgeAndre M. Davis of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. From 2012 to 2023, Abelson worked in private practice at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP.[3]
Abelson assumed office as aUnited States magistrate judge on September 18, 2023.[4][5] He was appointed to an 8-year term which would expire in 2031,[6] but he was appointed as a district judge instead.
On May 8, 2024, PresidentJoe Biden announced his intent to nominate Abelson to serve as aUnited States district judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Maryland. On May 14, 2024, his nomination was sent to the Senate. President Biden nominated Abelson to the seat vacated by JudgeJames K. Bredar, who assumedsenior status on April 30, 2024.[7] On June 5, 2024, a hearing on his nomination was held before theSenate Judiciary Committee.[8] On July 11, 2024, his nomination was reported out of committee by a 12–9 vote.[9] On September 9, 2024, theUnited States Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 50–40 vote.[10] The following day, his nomination was confirmed by a 53–43 vote.[11] He received his judicial commission on September 12, 2024.[12] He was sworn in on September 16, 2024.[13]
On February 21, 2025, Abelson issued apreliminary injunction against three provisions of executive orders14151 and14173, which would terminate all federal equity-related grants or contracts and require federal contractors to certify they do not operateDEI programs for purposes ofFCA liability.[14][15] In issuing his opinion, Abelson argued that the order failed to define terms such as "DEI" or "Equity related", resulting in the order being too vague and broad for a federal employee or grant recipient to reasonably determine their compliance.[16][17] Additionally, Abelson noted the orders possible impacts impairingfree speech rights, potentially discouraging businesses, organizations and public entities from openly supporting diversity, equity and inclusion.[18][19] Soon after, TheFourth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the hold, allowing for enforcement to go into effect and for theTrump administration to demonstrate whether the orders would abide by theFirst Amendment and anti-discrimination laws in ongoing litigation.[20][21][22]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.| Legal offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Maryland 2024–present | Incumbent |