In 2014, Ian was honored by The National Trial Lawyers Association, and named to its “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” for his accomplishments in the courtroom.  In 2019, he was named a "Rising Star" by Maryland SuperLawyers, and named "Top 40 under 40" by the National Trial Lawyers Association.  He was recognized by Maryland SuperLawyers again in 2020, 2021, and 2022.  In 2021, his firm was voted "Best Law Firm: Civil Litigation" by the readers of The Daily Record.  He focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, real property, business, and construction disputes.  He is admitted to practice law by the:

• Maryland Court of Appeals
• District of Columbia Court of Appeals
• Supreme Court for the United States
• U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
• U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia
• U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Ian has obtained millions of dollars in trial verdicts and settlements for his clients.  He has argued before the highest appellate courts in the State of Maryland, District of Columbia and the Federal Fourth Circuit.  He is proud of several opinions from those Courts:

• United States of America v. Susquehanna Bank, 772 F.3d 168 (4th Cir. 2014)
• Patrick v. State of Maryland, 118 CSA 206 (Md. App. 2017)
• Hall v. MedStar, 17-CV-359 (D.C. 2019)
• Gerstmyer v. Wolfe, 2 (Md. App. 2020)
• Fink v. Morris H. Fink Trust, 2 (Md. App. 2020)
• H.C. Utilities, LLC v. Hwang, ___ Md.App. ____ (2020)
• Chicago Title Ins. Co. v. Jen, 249 Md.App. 246 (2021)

Ian is also a Maryland licensed real estate broker and co-founder of Valkenet Brokerage, LLC.  In 2021, that brokerage was a winner of "Best Residential Real Estate Brokerage" based on votes cast by the readers of The Daily Record.

Ian was born and raised in Baltimore.  He attended Calvert Hall College High School, and is a graduate of Boston College and the University of Baltimore School of Law.  Before he joined Young & Valkenet, Ian worked at the Office of the Public Defender for Baltimore City, in both the felony trial division, and at the district court for the Northwestern precinct.  He also clerked for Judge Clayton Greene, Jr., in Maryland’s highest court.