September 10, 2026
This summer, Harris Jones & Malone (HJM) student interns Caitlin Ralph and Max Fruman sat down with Brian Shepter, an attorney and former HJM team member, to discuss the experiences, relationships, and mentors that shaped his career. During nearly six years at HJM, Shepter developed his skills in advocacy, government relations, and navigating complex legislative and administrative processes under the mentorship of Lisa Harris Jones and Sean Malone.
Today, Shepter brings those experiences to Saul Ewing, one of Baltimore’s leading law firms, where his practice focuses on land use and zoning. In this edition of Conversations with HJM, he reflects on his professional journey, the lessons that continue to guide his work, and the advice he would give to the next generation of lawyers, including the two HJM student interns who had the opportunity to interview him this summer.
Read the full conversation with Brian Shepter below:
“Law school doesn’t prepare lawyers. Being a lawyer prepares you to be a lawyer. Don’t expect that completing law school is going to prepare you for the practice of law. It merely opens the gates so that you can begin to become a lawyer. It’s the start, not the finish.”
A New York native who proudly calls Maryland home, Brian Shepter has built a career rooted in public service, advocacy, and a deep appreciation for the policymaking process. Early in his career, Shepter worked with the Maryland House Democratic Caucus Committee following the 2014 election, analyzing Democratic performance across legislative districts and identifying broader political trends. The experience provided him with a unique perspective on Maryland’s political landscape and strengthened his understanding of how policy, politics, and government intersect—which served as a bridge between campaign work and his role in the Baltimore Mayor’s Office.
Seeking a deeper understanding of how policy decisions are implemented and advanced, Shepter joined Harris Jones & Malone (HJM), where he quickly found himself immersed in meaningful legal and government relations work under the mentorship of Lisa Harris Jones and Sean Malone. There, Shepter was entrusted with managing client matters and representing organizations before key decision‑makers—gaining hands-on experience that developed his confidence in navigating complex legislative and administrative processes while building relationships throughout Maryland government.
During nearly six years at HJM, Shepter worked with a diverse range of clients, though he remains particularly proud of his work with AFT Maryland and the Baltimore Teachers Union. Labor issues offered him the chance to advocate for causes that aligned with his values while sharpening the skills that would define his professional approach. Just as importantly, HJM instilled a meticulous approach to process and detail that continues to define his professional discipline. The HJM’s emphasis on thoroughly reviewing legislation, calendars, deadlines, and client matters taught Shepter a lesson he still follows: “One review is never enough.”
Shepter later joined Saul Ewing, where he now applies the same relationship-building strategic thinking, and process-oriented approach that he developed at HJM. Whether working with state agencies, local governments, or elected officials, he believes credibility, preparation, and strong professional relationships remain essential to achieving successful outcomes. In this edition of Conversations with HJM, Shepter reflects on the experiences, mentors, and lessons that helped shape his career and continue to influence his work today.
What was your job with the Maryland House Democratic Caucus Committee, and what did it teach you?
“My role was to analyze how Democratic candidates performed in the 2014 election and identify patterns across districts. It was a short project between the campaign and my move to the Baltimore Mayor’s Office. Still, it taught me a lot about Maryland’s Democratic Party network and how strongly members support one another. It was also a valuable opportunity to stay engaged in meaningful work during a career transition and to take a deep, post‑election look at what shaped the results.”
What drew you to HJM?
“I wanted to understand how government worked in Annapolis and City Hall, and HJM offered direct access to both. Lisa and Sean had exceptional relationships in those spaces, and they gave me exposure that I wouldn’t have received anywhere else. Lisa and Sean trusted me with real responsibility, like managing client matters and representing clients before decisionmakers, which helped me grow quickly and build my own relationships in government.”
What was your favorite project while working at HJM?
“I always enjoyed representing AFT Maryland and the Baltimore Teachers Union. They were a very interesting client. Labor unions have always interested me, and the issues that we worked on made it easy for me to be passionate about.”
What skills from HJM stayed with you?
“HJM taught me the importance of emphasizing details. This process was really important to my education, and the meticulous practice of reviewing and re-reviewing regularly has been ingrained in me. I need to review and re-review documents constantly. One review is never enough. Being meticulous about calendars, deadlines, and the substance of a bill became second nature. Sean and Lisa instilled how important it is to be a detailed person.”
What impact did Lisa and Sean have on your growth?
“Lisa taught me how to be fearless. As a lawyer, you have to be fearless always. There is no room in which you don’t belong. You have to be able to walk into any room and advocate for clients without hesitation. Sean taught me how to craft arguments with clarity and precision. He pushed me to refine a point until it was undeniable, as obvious as saying the sky is blue. Their mentorship shaped how I show up, think, and communicate”.
How did HJM prepare you for your transition to Saul Ewing?
“When I moved to Saul Ewing, it felt like a natural transition because HJM already had a strategic partnership with the firm. We regularly shared clients—HJM handled lobbying matters, and Saul took on complex business or litigation work—so I became familiar with their attorneys and respected the quality of their practice. What I carried with me from HJM was an understanding of how different jurisdictions operate and how essential relationships are to navigating any process, whether legislative, administrative, or local. Credibility matters. Being able to pick up the phone and have someone take your call matters. My time at HJM taught me how to build and maintain those relationships, and that skill continues to guide my work today.”
What advice do you have for law students?
“Law school doesn’t prepare lawyers. Being a lawyer prepares you to be a lawyer. Don’t expect that completing law school is going to prepare you for the practice of law. It merely opens the gates so that you can begin to become a lawyer. It’s the start, not the finish. I encourage students to explore different areas of law before choosing a path. My own interests evolved through several internships, and that exploration shaped my career. A law degree is versatile—it prepared me to be an attorney, a lobbyist, and a government administrator. My final piece of advice is practical: avoid taking on unnecessary debt. If you can, work while you’re in school and find an employer who can help offset the cost.”
By: Caitlin Ralph and Max Fruman
