What We Do

BROOKSLAW LLC helps both employers and employees resolve workplace discrimination and sexual harassment complaints; assists college and university students report or defend Title IX complaints; aids students accused of campus misconduct and related criminal charges; defends individuals facing criminal charges; and provides legal consulting and internal investigation services to institutions of higher education, state agencies, and business or non-profit organizations.

Why We Do It

We have a passion for people and a proven record of fighting injustice. As a former prosecutor and certified civil rights investigator, Oana Brooks is committed to ensuring individuals are treated fairly and organizations are held accountable when they fail to comply with applicable laws.

Founded on the premise that all people have the right to be safe at work and at school and must be treated fairly during campus disciplinary proceedings and in the criminal justice system, BROOKSLAW LLC fights against discrimination, sexual harassment, inequality, and unfair treatment. We protect students’ and employees’ rights; investigate internal workplace and campus misconduct; help resolve disputes through civil litigation when needed; and defend individuals accused of criminal offenses.

We are committed to providing zealous representation and excellent client services. Our clients are our top priority!

Visit our practice areas to learn more or contact us today and have your case evaluated.

About Oana Brooks

Oana Brooks is the Founder of BROOKSLAW LLC. She is an experienced trial lawyer and certified civil rights investigator with more than fourteen years of combined legal and investigative experience. Originally from Romania, Oana is a refugee who realized her dream of becoming a lawyer when she graduated from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She is passionate about civic commitment, mentorship, and all things Baltimore, the City she has called home for more than 18 years.

Professional Experience

TRIAL LAWYER

Oana Brooks is an experienced trial lawyer. From 2007 through 2015, Oana served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City where she prosecuted hundreds of complex cases before judges and juries including attempted murders, felony sexual offenses, armed robberies, handgun violations, narcotics offenses, traffic matters, and juvenile causes. Oana regularly partnered with law enforcement on complex investigations; sought indictments before grand juries; and advocated on behalf of victims of violent crime. She was quickly and repeatedly promoted initially serving as Deputy Chief of District Court and subsequently, as Chief of the Juvenile Division. In both roles, Oana continued to try felony cases before juries; supervised and trained attorneys and staff; and represented the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City at meetings with elected officials, the Baltimore Police Department, community groups, members of the judiciary, and business and non-profit organizations.

In her current practice, Oana handles general civil litigation cases and criminal defense. She helps individuals and organizations with matters of employment discrimination, student misconduct and Title IX, and criminal defense.

CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR

In addition to her litigation and criminal investigative experience, Oana has substantial experience conducting campus and workplace investigations into allegations of discrimination, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, having served as an Equity Compliance Investigator for the Johns Hopkins University’s Office of Institutional Equity (JHU OIE). OIE is the sole investigative office for all protected class-based discrimination complaints involving students and employees throughout all JHU campuses and parts of the hospital. Consequently, Oana developed a broad range of investigative experience as her work required expertise in multiple areas including higher education, employment law, criminal law, and local, state, and federal statutes. Oana investigated matters across all JHU campuses, both domestic and abroad, involving undergraduate and graduate students; University faculty, including tenured professors; doctors and nurses; research fellows; and various other staff personnel, exempt and non-exempt alike. Oana’s experience includes investigating complex Title IX matters and allegations of discrimination based on gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristic.

In her current practice, Oana provides investigative services and legal advice to institutions of higher learning, business and non-profit organizations, and state agencies looking to retain a highly trained, neutral investigator for workplace discrimination and sexual harassment complaints. Most recently, Oana conducted a complex investigation of an extremely sensitive matter and provide legal advice to a state agency.

JUDICIAL LAW CLERK

Oana began her legal career serving as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable John N. Prevas, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.

Bar Admissions

Maryland

Education

University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law - JD, May 2006
University of Maryland, College Park - B.A., Government and Politics, December 2000

Professional Trainings & Certifications

Oana is an Association of Title IX Administrators certified Civil Rights Investigator. She has also received extensive training in a multitude of areas, including trauma informed investigations; employment law; higher education law; forensic interview techniques for child sex assault victims; criminal law, procedure, and trial evidence; and traffic related offenses including driving under the influence of alcohol and/or driving while impaired. Oana also completed training with the United States Department of Transportation in its National Highway Traffic Safety Administration division and is certified to administer the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus field sobriety test. Some of the training and certification courses Oana has completed are included below.

• trainED: Title IX/VAWA Investigator and Adjudicator Training
• Association of Title IX Administrators- Civil Rights Investigator Training and Certification Levels I & II
• Intersections: Preventing Harassment & Sexual Violence (EDU-US)- LawRoom Inspired Employer Solutions
• National Association of College and University Attorneys: Respondent Litigation in Sexual Misconduct Matters- Lessons Learned from Recent Cases
• Trauma-Informed Sexual Assault Investigation & Adjudication Annual Training & Conference
• The Risk Control Committee of the Pinnacle Consortium of Higher Education- Risk Management in Higher Education
• Association of Title IX Administrators Johns Hopkins University Resolution Panel Training
• National Association of College and University Attorneys Annual Conference- Lawyers New to Higher Education Workshop
• Nonprofit Finance 101
• Employment Law Alliance- Legal Update on Campus Sexual Violence, Clery Act, Violence Against Women Act, Title IX and Beyond
• Employment Law for Supervisors
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration- Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus: The Science and the Law
  
• Maryland State’s Attorneys Association Summer Conferences and Trainings- Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, Trial Practice, Fourth Amendment Issues, Evidence and Trial Ad
• Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services- Finding Words/Child First, Interviewing Child Victims

Professional Associations

• Solo & Small Firm Practice Section
• Labor & Employment Law Practice Section
• Criminal Law & Practice Section

• Communications and News Journal Committee-2016 to 2018
• Continuing Legal Education & Events Planning Committee-2007

Honors & Awards

• Maryland Daily Record Leadership in Law Award, March 2019
• Maryland Daily Record Top 100 Women Award, March 2018
• United Way of Central Maryland Philanthropic 5 Award, May 2016
• Maryland Daily Record Top 100 Women Award, April 2016
• The Junior League of Baltimore, Inc.—The Mary Goodwillie Award, June 2015
• Maryland Daily Record Leading Woman Award, October 2014
• The Junior League of Baltimore, Inc.—Committee of the Year, June 2014
• University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law- Order of the Barristers, May 2006
• Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition for the Mid-Atlantic Region- Best Oralist, 2nd Place Award, April 2006
• University of Maryland, College Park- Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society

Civic Commitment

Oana is passionate about her community and giving back through civic engagement and mentorship. She is a proud Past President and current member of the Junior League of Baltimore, Inc., a leadership organization dedicated to developing women and girls into civic and professional leaders. Oana’s additional community involvement is listed below.

• The Women of the World Festival (WOW), 2016 to 2018
  • Board Chair, 2017-2018
  • Advisory Board Member, 2016-2017
• The Junior League of Baltimore, Inc., January 2014 to present
  • 2018-2019 Personal & Professional Development Committee
  • 2017-2018 Junior League of Baltimore, Inc, representative on the WOW Festival Board
  • 2016-2017 President · 2015-2016 President Elect
  • 2014-2015 Chair-Flashback 5K Committee
  • 2013-2014 Community Impact Council member
• The Northeasterners, Inc., March 2013 to present
• Scholarship Committee: Chair
• The Baltimore City School Board, Ethics Panel, January 2014 to March 2016

Speaking Engagements

Oana enjoys sharing her professional knowledge and personal story and welcomes speaking engagement opportunities. Some of Oana’s public speaking engagements are listed below. To learn about upcoming events and firm news, please visit News & Events.

• Strategic Community Engagement, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, March 2019
• Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, The Junior League of Baltimore, Inc., January 2019
• Conquering the Confidence Gap - Panel Moderator, The Women of the World Festival, April 2018
• My Immigration Story: I am a Refugee, Ignite Baltimore, April 2017
• My Immigration Story, The Women of the World Festival, October 2016
• Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, Bmore Open: Let’s Get Real About Diversity and Inclusion in Tech, Baltimore Innovation Week, September 2016
• Best Practices in Nominating Procedures, Presidents and Leagues Sharing, The Association of Junior Leagues International Fall Conference, September 2016
• Community Impact: Women as a Force of Change, The Association of Junior Leagues International Annual Conference, May 2017