(BALTIMORE, Md. — March 20, 2006) University of Maryland School of Law students will receive a real life lesson in how the Maryland Judiciary handles complex economic, business, and technology cases when Baltimore City Circuit Judge Albert J. Matricciani, Jr., holds a series of live summary judgment hearings at 9 a.m. Monday, March 27, at the school.

The case, DeVetter v. Alex Brown Mgmt. Serv., Inc., is the first from the business and technology docket to be scheduled at the University of Maryland School of Law Ceremonial Courtroom. The state’s Business and Technology Case Management Program – the first in the nation – enables circuit courts to handle such cases in a coordinated, efficient, and responsive manner. Specially trained judges, alternative dispute resolution professionals, and court staff with knowledge of the advanced economic, business, and technical issues handle these cases.

“This is a unique opportunity for the students,” Judge Matricciani said. “Instead of examining some fictional ‘ABC corporation’ they read about in a textbook, they get to see a case which applies those classroom theories to the real world.”

Judge Matricciani selected this case – which deals with the management of hedge funds – for the students because of the extensive discovery, legal brief filings, and complex business issues involved, he said. He hopes to hold similar proceedings at the law school in the future.

The proceedings are open to the public, but cameras are not allowed while court is in session. More information about the Business and Technology Case Management Program can be found at its Web site, www.courts.state.md.us/businesstech/index.html. For more information, please contact the Court Information Office at (410) 260-1488.

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