Business Ombudsman Internship 3L Jake Whitaker helps business, government communicate

Maryland Carey Law students participate in a variety of experiential opportunities. For the past summer and fall semester, 3L Jake Whitaker has served as the legal intern at the Maryland Governor’s Business Ombudsman’s Office. Established in 2014 to serve as a liaison between Maryland businesses and federal, state, and local governments, the Business Ombudsman’s Office assists business owners on a variety of matters and works to resolve informal disputes between businesses and state agencies.

3L Jake Jake Whitaker (left) served as the legal intern at the Maryland Governor’s Business Ombudsman’s Office, working for Ombuds Roger Campos (right).

Through the leadership of the ombuds, Roger Campos, the Office does not offer legal advice, but instead facilitates meetings for businesses to communicate directly with state and local governments to resolve disagreements and avoid costly litigation. As a former businessman himself, Campos is aware of the challenges faced by businesses when dealing with state and local governments. “My philosophy is to approach dispute resolution in a common sense manner. I believe that conflicts can often be solved by simply bringing the disputing parties together,” stated Mr. Campos.

Throughout the internship, Whitaker has worked directly with Campos to assist Maryland businesses on a variety of issues and meaningfully participate in meetings with state officials and business owners.

The internship has been an “excellent learning experience. I have had the opportunity to network with high-level state officials and learn the way the Maryland state government operates.” - 3L Jake Whitaker

According to Whitaker, his most rewarding work comes from working with businesses to resolve lengthy disputes. “Mr. Campos and I were able to help facilitate the resolution of a regulatory dispute between a restaurant owner and a state agency that had been ongoing for nearly eight years,” said Whitaker. The meeting granted both parties the opportunity to voice their opinions and offer solutions to the protracted issues. It appeared that prior to the meeting, there had been confusion over what the agency had expected of the business owner and his restaurant. The meeting clarified the matter for both parties and they reached a resolution.

When reflecting upon his experience, Whitaker comments that working at the Business Ombudsman’s Office with Campos has been an “excellent learning experience. I have had the opportunity to network with high-level state officials and learn the way the Maryland state government operates.”

In addition to interacting with state agencies and businesses, the internship required legal research into the issues facing business owners such as state and federal procurement laws and Maryland environmental and consumer protection regulations.

Maryland Carey Law students have a history with the Business Ombuds Office starting with 3L Brian Paxton and continuing with former mediation clinic student Joan Leatherman ’16. Mr. Campos recognizes the contribution that law students bring to dispute resolution and the unique opportunity for the students “to work at the highest levels of state government and immediately make a real difference for Maryland business owners.”

The Ombudsman Office is accepting internship applications for the spring semester.

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