This talk will focus on Ebony M. Thompson's groundbreaking career as Baltimore's first woman and openly gay City Solicitor, highlighting her role in combating the opioid crisis and pioneering blockchain technology for urban revitalization. In result, she has helped secure millions of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry in restitution and addressed systemic issues like redlining.
 

Ebony M. Thompson is the first woman and first openly gay City Solicitor in the 294-year history of Baltimore City. In her role, Solicitor Thompson represents and advises the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, boards and commissions, department directors, and employees in their official capacities in all legal matters before the City. Since joining the Baltimore City Law Department, her fearless and tireless work fighting bad actors McKesson and AmerisourceBergen resulted in a jury verdict finding them liable in Baltimore's opioid epidemic and awarding the City of Baltimore more than $266 million in damages. This award brings the City’s total restitution funds to more than $668.5 million, a game-changing figure that will reshape our ability to confront this crisis in every part of our city.  Solicitor Thompson has also been a pioneer in introducing the City to blockchain technology for recordation of land titles, land valuation, permit tracking and the use of smart contracts to simplify the process for purchasing vacant properties. This initiative aims to streamline the process of bringing vacant properties back into active use, particularly in neighborhoods still grappling with the consequences of redlining.

Lunch will be served starting at 11:45am