Rand Lucey has emerged as one of Maryland’s most productive and effective young criminal-defense and DUI defense lawyers. He’s tried and prevailed in major felony cases in Maryland’s district and circuit courts, and he’s built a solid reputation as a capable DUI-defense lawyer, particularly in Montgomery, Prince George’s, Howard and Anne Arundel counties. Further, he’s already a partner at the fast-growing firm of Jezic & Moyse, which - now with 23 lawyers in its Wheaton office - is emerging as a regional force in criminal-defense and personal-injury litigation.

Even relatively early in his career the easy-going Lucey is every bit the well-grounded practitioner who knows his community, and legal community, better than many peers: Growing up Silver Spring and attending Good Counsel High School, “I always loved it here - the range and diversity of people makes our area unique. I knew that even growing up. My friends came from all over.”

His father, a retired financial manager with the Navy Department, encouraged his son to follow him to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; “You could say I was indoctrinated as a Tar Heel long before going to school there.” He majored in economics - “It came pretty naturally to me - remember, everyone wanted a career in financial services” - as well as Political Science, inspired in part by undergraduate courses in Constitutional Law. “Anyone who learns the underpinnings of our rule of law, and respect for individual rights, is always deeply affected. I was no exception.” Without a break he entered law school at Catholic University in the District, which itself “was a different place every time I came back. Fact is though it was always home to me.”

He considered heading where most aspiring litigators do - to a prosecutor’s or public defender’s office - but instead he created private-sector opportunities for himself. Even before taking the bar exam he landed a position at a Montgomery County firm that included Andrew Jezic, the fast-rising criminal-defense lawyer.

Jezic, David Moyse and Amal Bertrand worked at the firm, and all were early influences to Lucey - and all too are his partners today. “I have a lot of respect for my colleagues - they bring a unique level energy, focus and drive to their work. We really operate at a higher RPM than most firms. We’re productive, and it’s all about our clients.” From the start, he adds, Jezic and Moyse “let me plunge into cases and trials from the start. Not many firms today encourage that kind of freedom for a young lawyer. When people have confidence in you, it builds you own confidence in your skills.”

Lucey and his colleagues handle hundreds of cases annually, many in which they defend clients facing serious traffic or felony charges, and involve complex preparation and regular court appearances. He’s earned acquittals for clients facing felony charges, and done so in courtrooms throughout the state. Lucey says he also draws influence from his wife’s family: Her father is a retired Maryland judge, her mother a former appellate lawyer in the state public defenders’ office. “If I hadn’t already passed the bar people might’ve said I married into the law,” he jokes. (His wife, Soon Ei, grew up in Howard County, and is a lawyer today as well.) In fact, Lucey has rare insight into the state’s court system and judges, which has served him - and his clients - well. “I feel as though my work is a good fit for me - at this point I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Away from the office Lucey and his wife look after their two young sons. Lucey too is an enthusiastic fan of Washington’s many sports teams. They live in Rockville.