JONATHAN H. SHOUP, ESQ.

"A Life of Accomplishments"


Attorney, Jonathan H. Shoup, an accomplished veteran practitioner of the law, died at his home in Arnold, Md. on Monday, January 4, 2016 after declining in health the past two years. Mr. Shoup leaves behind a legacy of accomplishment, both in and outside the legal profession.


Mr. Shoup was born in Virginia on January 4, 1946 and arrived in the Baltimore area as a high school teenager. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Bucknell University in 1968, his MBA from Arizona State University in 1972 and his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1975.


Mr. Shoup began his legal career that same year as an
Assistant State's Attorney in Baltimore where he served for more than a decade. As a major crimes prosecutor, he successfully tried over 50 murder cases. The most famous of those was the "Georgetown Jacket" case in the early 1980s. The murder was the first killing of a student with a handgun in a public school in the United States.


In 1987, Mr. Shoup went into private practice, first in Baltimore and then, in the 1990s, in Anne Arundel County. In addition to criminal defense, personal injury and complex family law litigation, Mr. Shoup's law practice also included contract and business transactional matters. As a former collegiate athlete, Mr. Shoup represented members of the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox.


In the business and organization development arena, Mr. Shoup was a Federally Certified Organization Development Consultant. His clients included the Department of Defense, State Department, Federal and Maryland State agencies and various local governments for whom he advised on strategic planning and problem solving. In the corporate world, his clients included IBM, Landel Corporation, various universities and other large and medium sized companies.


Mr. Shoup always believed "The client comes first". He said many times that his firm's "strategy in each case takes into account the far-reaching future of the client's total well-being". He always added, "Collaboration between the needs and wants of the client and what is legally realistic guide our successful practice. The application of life experiences as well as a thorough knowledge of the law leads to a rewarding and successful legal career".


His broad and varied experiences in law, business and the military attest to his philosophy as a legal practitioner.


Mr. Shoup was also a dynamic and experienced public speaker. He appeared as a guest on ABC's Nightline and served as a legal panelist on various television programs in the Baltimore-Washington area.


Mr. Shoup went on a National Speaking Tour on Leaderships for the United States government, traveling to over thirty states. He also presented his interactive lecture, "Why People Do What They Do" to numerous corporate and university clients throughout the United States.


Mr. Shoup's military service included tours during the Vietnam and Desert Storm Wars. He was a "Mustang", joining the United States Army as a Private and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. His last assignment was as the Deputy Inspector General for the State of Maryland.
Mr. Shoup held positions of leadership in the legal community, both locally and statewide, including:
• President, University of Baltimore Alumni Association
• President, Cawood Inn of Court
• Member, Board of Trustees, Cawood Inn of Court
• Member, Board of Trustees, Anne Arundel Bar Association
• Member, Federal District Court Judicial Nominating Commission
• Member, Maryland Code Revision Commission
• Adjunct Lecturer, University of Maryland and University of Baltimore Law Schools.
• Core Group, Maryland State Bar Association – Lawyer's Assistance Program.
• Trustee Bates/Vincent Foundation
• Presenter, AABA – Law School for the Public and Law Day
• Advisory Board, American Inns of Court, 4th Circuit.



Just last November 19th, Mr. Shoup was a recipient of the prestigious "Leadership in Law" Award from the Daily Record, the leading legal periodical in the State of Maryland.


Outside the law, he volunteered to help the homeless and disadvantaged through his church and Bar Association. He served as an usher at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Annapolis and previously was a member of the vestry of St. James Episcopal Church and as Vice-President of the Board of Trustees of St. James Academy (K-8), of Monkton, Md. He said many times to his friends that, having been given so much, he "wanted to give back".


Mr. Shoup's lived his life to the fullest and leaves a long resume of accomplishments.


Divorced many years ago, Mr. Shoup had no children. He is survived by a half-brother, John S. Shoup of Westport, Connecticut, a half-sister, Elizabeth S. Doucette and a niece, Elizabeth Doucette, both of Hampstead, New Hampshire.


A memorial service for Jonathan H. Shoup will be held at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Annapolis, Md. on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 10:30 am with a reception to follow at the Church's parish house.


In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the James C. Cawood, Jr. Inn of Court Scholarship Fund, c/o Danielle Mikoy, Treasurer, 8777-B Piney Orchard Pkwy., Suite 220, Odenton, Md. 21113.
Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com