Jacqueline Cadman is a Partner with Brown Goldstein & Levy. Her practice areas include Criminal Defense & Investigations, Civil Rights, Wrongful Convictions & Police Misconduct.
She began her career in Pennsylvania at the Defender Association of Philadelphia. During her time there, she represented people charged with all types of criminal offenses, ranging from DUIs, gun and drug offenses and assaults to armed robberies, kidnapping and attempted murder charges while also teaching Criminal Law at Temple University Beasley School of Law as an adjunct faculty member.
Following her time in Pennsylvania, Jacqui spent over twelve years at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) – widely regarded as the best trial public defender office in the country – where she represented countless people charged with crimes at the pre-trial and trial level, while also handling the collateral consequences that all too frequently accompany criminal allegations. Jacqui represented high-profile clients charged with the most serious and complex offenses in the District of Columbia, litigating close to a hundred homicide, assault with intent to kill, and sexual assault cases. She coordinated and managed multidisciplinary teams to ensure that her clients consistently received the highest level of representation. She also co-chaired the Police Accountability team in PDS’s Police Reform Committee, which advocated for increased transparency and meaningful consequences for police misconduct in the District of Columbia.
Since leaving the Public Defender Service, Jacqui has continued to represent clients accused of crimes in state and federal courts in Washington D.C. and Maryland. She has also helped people and companies navigate grand jury subpoenas, administrative investigations, disciplinary investigations, and civil protection order petitions. She is a frequent trainer at the D.C. Criminal Practice Institute and also teaches at the D.C. Bar’s “Foundations of Trial Advocacy” series each year alongside some of the nation’s most distinguished attorneys. She has been selected to help shape the next generation of Maryland criminal defense lawyers by serving as a judge in the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law’s Criminal Defense Clinic’s mock suppression hearings.
Outside of work, Jacqui serves as a co-chair and founder of the WBA Criminal Law Forum.
When did you join the WBA?
2024
Why did you join the WBA?
I joined the WBA at a pivotal point in my career. After spending 18 years as a public defender, I transitioned into private practice, a move that was both exciting and unfamiliar. I wanted to be intentional about building community, expanding my professional network, and learning from women who had successfully navigated similar transitions.
Joining the WBA was important to me because I wanted to be part of a community that actively supports and advances women in the legal profession. As a criminal defense lawyer I am practicing in a field that is still largely male-dominated, so it is critical to me to connect with other female attorneys who understand the unique challenges we face in the courtroom and in building our practices. The WBA provides meaningful opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and advocacy, and I value being part of an organization that not only supports my professional growth but also works to promote equity and fairness within the legal system. Most importantly, I joined because I believe in the power of women supporting women.
What benefits do you get from being a part of the WBA and why do you think others should join?
Being part of the WBA gives me a sense of connection, mentorship, and shared experience that I don’t always find elsewhere. The WBA provides a space to engage with accomplished women across practice areas, exchange insight at a high level, and continue growing as a leader. It also offers meaningful opportunities to mentor newer attorneys and to shape conversations around equity, judicial leadership, and the future of the legal profession.
I value the sense of community that the WBA provides. Even decades into practice, there is something powerful about being in a room of women who understand the unique dynamics we navigate in the legal profession. Whether you are seeking mentorship, leadership opportunities, professional visibility, or a way to give back, the WBA provides a structure to do so intentionally. At every stage of practice, there is both something to gain and something to contribute.
How has being a parent enhanced your career?
Being a parent has made me a more empathetic lawyer. Parenthood has deepened my ability to truly listen, to hear not just the legal facts, but the fear, stress, and uncertainty behind them. When a client is facing criminal charges, they are often worried not only about themselves, but about their children, their stability, and their future. As a parent, I understand that fear on a personal level. Empathy does not weaken advocacy—it strengthens it. It allows me to connect more authentically with clients, to communicate more effectively, and to present their stories in a way that reflects their full humanity.
Of course, being a parent has also required me to sharpen my time management, resilience, and sense of purpose. Balancing family and a demanding criminal defense practice has made me more efficient, focused, and intentional in my work—qualities that ultimately benefit my clients both inside and outside the courtroom.
What words of advice do you have for women new to the profession?
My advice to women new to the legal profession, especially women practicing within the criminal legal system, is to own your space from day one. You belong in the courtroom just as much as anyone else. Preparation is your greatest equalizer—when you know your case better than anyone in the room, confidence will follow. I would also say that it is important to develop a strong sense of your own voice and advocacy style. You do not need to mimic anyone else to be effective. Your authenticity will resonate with judges, juries, and clients.
Seek out mentors, especially other women who have navigated this path before you. Organizations like the WBA can provide community, practical guidance, and leadership opportunities that make a real difference early in your career. Criminal defense requires courage, resilience, and compassion—qualities women bring in abundance.
Finally, protect your integrity and your well-being. This work is demanding and emotionally intense. Cultivate balance where you can and remember that longevity in this profession is built not just on skill, but on sustainability.
What other organizations are you involved in (professional, civic, etc.)?
I am a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), Women’s White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA), American Bar Association (ABA), and Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys’ Association (MCDAA).