Maryland Public Access Ombudsman

Created in 2016, the Office of the Public Access Ombudsman is an independent agency headed by the Public Access Ombudsman charged under Maryland law to make reasonable attempts to help applicants/requesters and records custodians/agencies resolve disputes arising from requests made under the Maryland Public Information Act (“PIA”). While independent from the Office of the Attorney General, the Ombudsman is appointed to a 4-year term by the Attorney General of Maryland, and receives resource and staff support from the OAG. Lisa A. Kershner, Esq., is currently serving her second term as the Public Access Ombudsman.

Learn more about the Ombudsman at https://news.maryland.gov/mpiaombuds/#
Request PIA mediation (dispute resolution) at https://news.maryland.gov/mpiaombuds/request-mediation/
Interested in training? https://news.maryland.gov/mpiaombuds/contact/#training
Contact the Office of the Public Access Ombudsman: pia.ombuds@oag.state.md.us and 410-576-6560.