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Thomas V. Miller Jr., known to most as “Mike” Miller, dedicated his life to the people of Maryland. From an early age, Mike learned what it meant to serve others when he began working in his grandfather's local market at the age of 10. That eagerness to serve fueled his historic legal and political career centered on creating a better Maryland for its people.  

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            Mike graduated from the University of Maryland in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and received a law degree from the University of Maryland Law School in 1967. Along the way, he married his wife Patti in 1965.  Mike then went on to start his own legal practice, opening his first office in Clinton, MD, just down the road from his grandfather’s store. Looking to represent the people of Prince George’s County, his main areas of practice were criminal defense, personal injury, medical malpractice, family law, and workers’ compensation.  

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            In 1970, Mike was nominated to the House of Delegates to represent his district in Prince George’s County, and four years later was elected to the State Senate. After chairing the Judiciary Proceedings Committee from 1983 to 1986, Mike became Senate President in 1987, a role he would maintain until the fall of 2019. In his illustrious 33-year tenure as Senate President, Mike masterfully facilitated compromise and championed a progressive agenda for the State of Maryland. The Senate he presided over legalized gay marriage, ended the death penalty, introduced casino gambling—which greatly increased public school funding, cleaned up the Chesapeake Bay, and accomplished countless other legislative victories. Mike became an Annapolis icon. Over the years, he developed close relationships with thousands on both sides of the aisle, whether they were low-level staffers or any of the six governors that came and went in his time. 

 

Mike received the following awards for his long career of service:

• 1999 Tyser Medallion Award for Outstanding service to the University of Maryland

• Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Maryland

• William P. Coliton Community Service Award for Excellence 

• Bulger Award for Outstanding Legislator

            

In 2001, the law firm became a family business when Mike's daughter, Melissa Miller, who previously served several years as Assistant State's Attorney, joined as partner. Mike passed away in 2021, and is survived by his wife, five children, and 15 grandchildren. The Mike Miller Law firm continues to practice, under Melissa's leadership, with offices both in Clinton and Dunkirk, Maryland, upholding his legacy of grit, dedication, and service to the community it serves.