Welcoming the 2025 Pauli Murray Fellows to Maryland OPD

The Association for the Public Defender of Maryland (APDM), in partnership with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (OPD) and with the support of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA), is proud to welcome the 2025 cohort of Pauli Murray Fellows. Each year, the Pauli Murray Diversity Leadership Initiative selects a group of outstanding law students who bring a deep commitment to public defense, equity, and systemic change. This summer, we are thrilled to support three inspiring future advocates: Savannah Smith, Jeffrey Wooten, and Cierra Mitchell.

Meet the Fellows

Savannah Smith: A Baltimore County native and aspiring public defender, Savannah is deeply interested in the intersection of criminal and family law—particularly how criminal charges can impact entire families and their futures. She will be working in the Baltimore City office this summer, where she looks forward to contributing meaningful work and building essential skills for a successful career in public defense.

Jeffrey Wooten: A rising 3L at Howard University School of Law, Jeffrey is active in the Civil Rights Clinic and Moot Court Team. His academic and advocacy experiences have strengthened his commitment to public defense and social justice. He joins the Prince George’s County office this summer, eager to grow as an advocate, teammate, and future public defender.

Cierra Mitchell: Currently a student at George Washington University Law School, Cierra is active in BLSA and serves on the SBA Supreme Court Committee. A summa cum laude Political Science graduate of Slippery Rock University and former intern for Congressman Al Green, Cierra will work in the Montgomery County office, where she hopes to make a real impact through hands-on client advocacy.

The Pauli Murray Diversity Leadership Initiative is a collaborative effort led by APDM and OPD, and made possible through the vital support of the MSBA. Together, we are investing in the next generation of legal advocates committed to justice, equity, and community-centered defense.

Welcome, Savannah, Jeffrey, and Cierra—we can’t wait to see all that you will accomplish!