Emerson L. Dorsey

Over the course of his accomplished career, Emerson has facilitated the dreams of countless business owners, shepherded scores of consequential real estate and financing transactions to closing, and helped religious and other tax-exempt organizations throughout Maryland fulfill their missions. With personal, tailored counsel that brings clarity to complexity and empowers his clients with information, Emerson serves as a trusted advisor, staunch ally, and invaluable resource for his clients.

Chair of the Firm's Business, Corporate, and Tax practice, Emerson has amassed a depth and breadth of experience that allows him to adeptly address any situation, nuance, or complication efficiently and authoritatively. Emerson's clients know when they have a question or concern, he will promptly provide the answers and guidance they need. When they have a goal to achieve or a problem to solve, he will be with them at every step, taking them from groundbreaking to ribbon-cutting or transforming a vision into reality. 

In his real estate and finance practice, Emerson counsels owners and developers in the acquisition, financing, and development of commercial, industrial, and residential property. He represents residential project owners and managers, condominium and homeowner associations, office building and industrial park owners, and landlords and tenants of commercial, industrial, and retail properties. His diverse finance experience, representing not only borrowers and institutional lenders but also state-sponsored lending programs such as the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority, provides him with a 360-degree perspective that serves his clients well no matter what side of the table they are on.

For private enterprises, large religious institutions, and other tax-exempt organizations, Emerson serves in an outside general counsel capacity, providing practical, pragmatic guidance on both day-to-day and long-term issues. In this role, he delivers a wide range of legal services, including governance, corporate, employment, real estate and commercial transactions, construction, and intellectual property (trademarks and copyright) matters. Emerson also focuses on risk management and preventative law planning, educating clients regarding new laws and developments and insulating them from compliance and liability concerns. He understands that business owners and leaders of charitable organizations come to him with different objectives, backgrounds, and levels of knowledge or sophistication, and he calibrates his counsel accordingly. 

Emerson matches his dedication to his clients with an equally strong community commitment, contributing his time, efforts, and talents to a wide range of organizations and endeavors. Among the many groups, boards, and projects that have benefitted from Emerson's involvement and leadership is Maryland Legal Aid, where he serves on the board of directors, helping it provide life-changing, high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income and marginalized individuals. He provides counsel to the African American Resources Cultural and Heritage (AARCH) Society, which celebrates and illuminates the rich contributions and history of African Americans in Frederick County.

The consistent recognition and multiple accolades Emerson has received from his peers serve as a testament to his professional accomplishments, while his numerous writing credits and speaking engagements on real estate-related topics reflect his extensive subject matter expertise.