Meet Katie

Candidate for Annapolis Ward One Alderwoman

I grew up in a Navy family (my father was a career Navy pilot), and loved coming to Annapolis for visits when family vacationing on Solomons Island.  After graduating from law school, I moved to Annapolis in 1986 to begin my legal career and was thrilled to move to the Historic District in 2007. Over a 39-year legal career, I have served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Baltimore prosecuting healthcare fraud, and then built a nationally recognized health law practice, representing healthcare organizations in compliance and government enforcement matters. I served for many years as an adjunct law professor at the University of Maryland Cary School of Law, teaching an advanced health law seminar.

Some of my pro bono legal work over the years has focused on supporting the Maryland Attorney General’s Task Force on Rape Kit Testing, helping our veterans in the Lawyers Serving Warriors program, representing Afghan refugees in asylum applications, and co-counseling with the Lawyer’s Committee on Civil Rights and various health entities nationally in supporting the challenge to the Trump Administration’s Public Charge Rule, which sought to penalize indigent immigrants who applied for health care and other services while their citizenship applications were pending. 

Locally, I am the President of my community association, Acton’s Landing, a member of the Annapolis 250 Commission, and I have worked to improve our local Acton’s Cove Park, which is visited by residents from all over Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. Recently, I have been involved in the Save Our Harbor effort to oppose the development of a marina complex that will destroy the iconic views and all that we enjoy of the Annapolis Harbor. 

In my legal career and in my community work, I have not been afraid to speak truth to power.  On occasion, I have questioned City government practices when they are not transparent, ethical or sensible.  As a professional advocate, I know how to stand up for the rights of others and want to put that experience to work for you, my neighbors in Ward One. I will stand up for you. 

I value the history and the cityscape that makes Annapolis unique, but I firmly believe that it is my neighbors throughout the City who are the most valuable assets in Annapolis.  I would be honored to represent you, and to work together with you to strengthen our community and move Annapolis forward.

Katie McDermott:   

A Proven Advocate. A New Direction.