if we can't be fair,
then we can't do justice.
Mission
It is the mission of the Office of Fair Practices to eliminate and prevent discrimination in the workplace by:
- promoting equal opportunity in employment through compliance with the federal, state, and local civil rights employment laws and regulations;
- the fair and voluntary resolution of EEO disputes and;
- education and outreach
Vision
The Maryland Judiciary seeks to reflect the diversity of our communities by ensuring equality of opportunity for job applicants, employees and public users of the Judiciary’s services without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity and expression, and genetic information.
Location
2001 A Commerce Park Drive
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-260-3679
Conference Room Phone: 410-260-2533
FAX: 410-260-3575
fairpractices@mdcourts.gov
Executive Director
Karen M. Williford, Esq.
410-260-3658
Administrative Assistant
Beth Heinle
410-260-3679
Staff Attorney
Anand Parikh, Esq.
410-260-2509
EEO Officer
vacant
EEO Officer
Vacant
MBE Liaison
Marlo Johnson
410-260-3661
Compliance Officer
Linda K. McCabe
410-260-3678
Roles and Responsibilities
- Investigate complaints of discrimination including sexual harassment and failure to accommodate under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Disseminate the Judiciary’s policies on Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act to promote Judiciary-wide understanding of rights and responsibilities for equal opportunity.
- Review and evaluate policies and practices of the Judiciary to ensure compliance with the requirements of state and federal laws.
- Prepare Annual Report on the Judiciary’s EEO programs.
- Assure compliance with Orders from external agencies, such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.
- Facilitate requests for reasonable accommodation by employees, applicants for employment and users of the Judiciary’s services.
- Plan, develop, and coordinate with other Judiciary units to present training on such topics as diversity and inclusion, sexual harassment, and the ADA.
- Administer the Judiciary’s Minority Business Enterprise program to ensure equality of opportunity in the Judiciary’s contracting opportunities.