Karen P. Ruff, Esq.
Partner
Telephone: (443) 853-9008
Email: kruff@levanruff.com
Karen brings a unique perspective to being a municipal attorney having been a municipal manager for the last four years. Her experience assisting elected officials in the administration of the day-to-day operations of municipal affairs allows her to appreciate her role advising municipal clients more fully. Karen looks forward to using her experience as a municipal manager and over 30 years as a municipal lawyer to provide legal advice and counsel to her municipal clients. Karen advises municipal department heads and staff regarding legal and policy issues, code enforcement, contracts, legislation, and American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Funds expenditures, among many other areas.
Bar Admission
Bar of Maryland, December 1987
Education
Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, Washington, D.C., J.D., May 1987
LaSalle College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania B.A., Cum Laude, May 1984. Major: Criminal Justice. Minor: Spanish
Professional Affiliations
Maryland State Bar Association, Since 1988
Maryland Municipal League, Municipal Attorneys Association, Since 1990
Experience
Positions Held with Municipal Governments
Town of Landover Hills
Town Manager, January 2021 – March 2022
City of New Carrollton
City Administrative Officer August 2020 – January 2021
Assistant City Administrative Officer January 2018 – August 2020
City of Annapolis
Assistant City Attorney, October 1999 – November 2002
Municipal Committees for which Served as a Liaison
Green Team
Arts Committee
Grants Obtained
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission , Planning Assistance to Municipalities Grant
Prince George’s County Arts & Humanities Council Grant
Pepco/Rock Creek Conservancy Grant
Healthy Eating and Active Living Grant
Community Development Block Grant
Types of Municipal Boards and Commissions Represented
Board of Zoning Appeals
Planning Commission
Ethics Commission
Advisory Planning Commission