Career
From 2010 to 2011,he served as a law clerk to Judge Catherine C. Blake of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland and again from 2011 to 2012 to Judge Andre M. Davis of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. From 2012 to 2023,Abelson worked in private practice at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP. [2]
Federal judicial service
Abelson assumed office as a United States magistrate judge on September 18,2023. [3] [4] He was appointed to an 8-year term which would expire in 2031, [5] but he was appointed as a district judge instead.
District court service
On May 8,2024,President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Abelson to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. On May 14,2024,his nomination was sent to the Senate. President Biden nominated Abelson to the seat vacated by Judge James K. Bredar,who assumed senior status on April 30,2024. [6] On June 5,2024,a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee. [7] On July 11,2024,his nomination was reported out of committee by a 12–9 vote. [8] On September 9,2024,the United States Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 50–40 vote. [9] The following day,his nomination was confirmed by a 53–43 vote. [10] He received his judicial commission on September 12,2024. [11] He was sworn in on September 16,2024. [12]
Notable cases
On February 21,2025,Abelson issued a preliminary injunction against three provisions of executive orders 14151 and 14173,which would terminate all federal equity-related grants or contracts and require federal contractors to certify they do not operate DEI programs for purposes of FCA liability. [13] [14] In issuing his opinion,Abelson argued that the order failed to define terms such as "DEI" or "Equity related",resulting in the order being too vague and broad for a federal employee or grant recipient to reasonably determine their compliance. [15] [16] Additionally,Abelson noted the orders possible impacts impairing free speech rights,potentially discouraging businesses,organizations and public entities from openly supporting diversity,equity and inclusion. [17] [18] Soon after,The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the hold,allowing for enforcement to go into effect and for the Trump administration to demonstrate whether the orders would abide by the First Amendment and anti-discrimination laws in ongoing litigation. [19] [20] [21]
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