by Meredith Matz
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Attorney James R. Benjamin Jr. on Monday became the first African American to be appointed County Attorney for Baltimore County.
The Baltimore County Council approved the selection of Benjamin and Michael Field, who is taking a position as Senior Policy Advisor for County Executive Johnny Olszewski. Field was appointed County Attorney in December 2010.
“Although you’re not leaving the county, we certainly wanted to commemorate you and the time that you’ve spent as County Attorney, so of course we have an official all council resolution for you,” said Councilwoman Cathy Bevins.
“Mike has been practicing as an attorney of law since 1997, where he was hired to spearhead the county’s decennial revision of the county code…,” Bevins explained. “As County Attorney for almost nine years, he has supervised exemplary office of law and has also effectively managed the often-difficult role of representing both executive and legislative branches of government.’”
For Benjamin, Councilman Julian E. Jones, “I look forward to working with you. And it’s an awesome responsibility being the first [African American]. I’ve given a speech before that one day you won’t have to recognize as the first, but until that time comes, it’s important that we recognize the first because it shows that we are, in fact, making progress.”
Councilman Izzy Patoka said, “You and I worked together in Baltimore City and back then, I always thought of you as a fine, young, attorney. Now here we’re going to be working again and now we’re a little bit more seasoned and I look forward to working with you.”
Benjamin described himself as “a proud county resident,” and explained “I live in District 3 with my wife and 2-year-old daughter.”
“I’ve been overwhelmed by all of the love and support that I have gotten from my family,” he continued. “I’m deeply honored to have been nominated as County Attorney and I fully understand all of the responsibility that comes with this role.
“I take very seriously my responsibility to hold the public trust. I want to assure all of you my commitments to upholding the common good, what’s in the best interest of the county and the citizens of this county, and I also want to assure you that I will strive to be transparent, accountable, and efficient, in all I do as County Attorney.”
Benjamin was selected in early October by Olszewski after serving as assistant City Solicitor for Baltimore City. His 17-year career also included working at the Baltimore-based law firm Gordon-Feinblatt, where his specialty included representing and advising minority and women-owned businesses. He also has experience representing insurers and business entities in litigation, personal injury and premise liability injury matters.