Adam B. Abelson

Adam Ben Abelson
Born	1982 Shaker Heights, Ohio, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Attorney, judge
Years active	2010–present
Known for	United States district judge for the District of Maryland since 2024; United States magistrate judge (2023–2024)

Adam Ben Abelson (born 1982) is an American attorney who has served as a United States district judge for the District of Maryland since 2024. Prior to this role, he held the position of United States magistrate judge on the same court from 2023 until 2024.

Education

Raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Abelson obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating cum laude from Princeton University in 2005. He later earned his Juris Doctor, graduating magna cum laude, from New York University School of Law in 2010.

Career

Following law school, Abelson completed a clerkship with Judge Catherine C. Blake at the United States District Court for the District of Maryland from 2010 to 2011. He then clerked for Judge Andre M. Davis of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit between 2011 and 2012. Subsequently, he practiced law at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP from 2012 through 2023.

Federal judicial service

Abelson began his tenure as a United States magistrate judge on September 18, 2023, appointed to an eight-year term set to conclude in 2031. However, he was later put forward as a nominee for a district judgeship.

District court service

On May 8, 2024, President Joe Biden declared his intention to nominate Abelson as a United States district judge for the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The formal nomination was submitted to the Senate on May 14, 2024, aiming to fill the vacancy left by Judge James K. Bredar, who assumed senior status on April 30, 2024. A hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee took place on June 5, 2024; his nomination was advanced out of committee by a vote of 12–9 on July 11. The Senate invoked cloture on September 9 with a vote of 50–40 and confirmed him on September 10 by a margin of 53–43. Abelson officially received his commission on September 12 and took his judicial oath on September 16, 2024.

Notable cases

On February 21, 2025, Judge Abelson issued a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of three provisions within executive orders 14151 and 14173. These provisions would have ended all federal grants or contracts related to equity and required federal contractors to certify absence of DEI programs under potential FCA liability. Abelson highlighted that these orders lacked clear definitions for terms such as "DEI" and "Equity related," creating uncertainty for federal employees and grant recipients regarding compliance. He also expressed concerns about possible infringements on free speech, which could deter organizations from supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives. Shortly afterward, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the injunction, permitting enforcement while ongoing litigation evaluates conformity with the First Amendment and anti-discrimination statutes.