Robert Zirkin
Robert A. "Bobby" Zirkin (born April 24, 1971) is an American politician from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. He represented Maryland's District 11 in Baltimore County in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1999 to 2007 and in the Maryland State Senate from 2007 to 2020.[1]
Bobby Zirkin | |
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| Member of the Maryland Senate from the 11th district | |
| In office January 10, 2007 – January 1, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Paula Hollinger |
| Succeeded by | Shelly L. Hettleman |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 11th district | |
| In office January 13, 1999 – January 10, 2007 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert A. Zirkin April 24, 1971 Davis, California, United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Married |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Baltimore County, Maryland |
| Education | Pikesville High School, Pikesville, Maryland |
| Alma mater | London School of Economics American University of Brussels Johns Hopkins University (BA) Georgetown University Law School (JD) |
| Profession | Attorney |
Background
Born in Davis, California, Zirkin's family moved to Maryland while he was a child and Zirkin attended Baltimore County Public Schools, including Pikesville High School. He received a bachelor's degree from the Johns Hopkins University before earning a Juris Doctor degree from the Georgetown University Law Center before joining the Maryland Bar. London School of Economics, American University of Brussels, 1992; The Johns Hopkins University, B.A. (political science), 1993; Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1998. Admitted to Maryland Bar, 2000.[1]
He is the Founder and Senior Partner at Zirkin & Schmerling Law, a full-service law firm based in Baltimore.[2]
In the Legislature
Zirkin served two terms in the Maryland House of Delegates before winning an open seat in the State Senate in the 2006 election. He was a member of the Judicial Proceedings Committee; the Special Committee on Substance Abuse; the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review; and the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee. In his first term, he was a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee and its public safety, transportation & environment subcommittee. Zirkin was also a member of the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families; and the Joint Subcommittee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation. Member, Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2007 (environment subcommittee, 2007; ethics & election law subcommittee, 2007; special committee on renewables & clean energy, 2007).[1]
Zirkin resigned from the Senate effective January 1, 2020, saying that politics had become too divisive and driven by special interests and social media.[3] After resigning, Zirkin lobbied on behalf of the Catholic Church in opposition to legislation to extend the statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases.[4] In 2023, Zirkin was reported to be advertising services to abuse survivors.[5]
In the Democratic Party
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Zirkin supported Barack Obama.
In 2014, State Senator Bobby Zirkin took over the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.[1]
References
- "Robert A. Zirkin, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. January 2, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- "Bobby Zirkin". Zirkin and Schmerling Law. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- Wood, Pamela (December 3, 2019). "Sen. Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore County member of General Assembly since 1999, says he's resigning next month". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- Gaskill, Hannah (February 5, 2021). "Zirkin Returns to Old Committee to Testify Against Wilson's Child Sex Abuse Bill". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- Gaskill, Hannah (June 5, 2023). "Ex-Maryland state Sen. Robert 'Bobby' Zirkin advertises legal assistance under Child Victims Act, which he once testified against". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 5, 2023.