Toyja E. Kelley

Toyja represents large public and medium-sized businesses in complex commercial disputes, focusing on general commercial litigation, construction litigation, professional and product liability, business torts, and insurance coverage. He regularly appears before state and federal courts in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Toyja’s clients include construction companies, special event manufacturers, and various others across industries. His trial-to-verdict experience and role as outside general counsel enable him to provide strategic legal guidance and effective dispute resolution.

Toyja is committed to advancing inclusion and raising awareness surrounding mental health in the legal industry. He holds leadership roles in the National Black Lawyers Association and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Metropolitan Baltimore. Toyja also served as an adjunct professor of law at Washington and Lee University.

In addition to writing and speaking on key issues, Toyja is involved in the Defense Research Institute and frequently advocates for public policy changes.

• Represents an offshore wind energy company in litigation and regulatory matters involving its development of an area off the coast of Maryland in order to provide renewable wind energy sufficient to generate more than 750 MW of offshore wind electricity to power more than 500,000 homes.
• Serving as trial counsel in ongoing litigation concerning a consent decree related to mental health and medical services for incarcerated individuals at the Baltimore City Jail. Responsibilities include coordination with the Maryland AG’s office and collaboration with outside counsel.
• Representing an offshore renewable energy company as their primary outside litigation counsel, including regular engagement with the Maryland State AG’s office on issues related to state matters.
• Defended a Baltimore area private high school in litigation over claims stemming from the construction of its artificial turf football stadium.
• Defended a building owner in a $12.7 million construction dispute with its former general contractor and a bonding company. Toyja secured summary judgment in the client’s favor on the claims made by the contractor and bonding company, and a jury returned a $1.6 million verdict in the client’s favor on its counterclaims.
• Represented a contractor in litigating various claims and disputes arising out of the construction of the Gaylord National Harbor, the largest hotel and convention center complex on the Eastern seaboard with a total project cost in excess of $800 million.
• Defended a publicly traded real estate investment trust from a series of construction-related lawsuits brought by contractors and subcontractors in Maryland. Toyja’s representation led to the dismissal of most cases; others have been resolved.
• Defended a Baltimore, Maryland-based sports clothing and accessories manufacturer in a two-week jury trial involving the construction of its $4.1 million Station House Visitor Center.
• Represented an EB5 foreign investment regional center in connection with a $9.5 million arbitration involving a failed real estate investment and construction partnership deal.
• Defended a sports equipment company in a personal injury case involving several athletes at a football camp in Maryland.
• Defended a national office products manufacturer in breach of contract cases brought by a multinational customer and a material supplier.
• Defended a commercial food service manufacturer against allegations that a product defect caused a fire that destroyed a national fast food chain’s restaurant.
• Defended a manufacturer of custom-built industrial generator systems from allegations that it violated the Maryland Equipment Dealer Contract when it terminated a local sales representative.
• Defended a publicly traded broadcasting company in commercial litigation and business tort-related cases.
• Represented a national home improvement franchising company in a breach of contract dispute brought by customers of a local franchise that had gone out of business.
• Represented a petroleum manufacturer in a product liability case alleging injuries from lead pigment.
• Represented a large financial services company in numerous cases involving its Maryland real estate portfolio.

Reported Decisions

• Schuele v. Case Handyman and Remodeling Servs., LLC, 412 Md. 555 (2010).
• AT&T Communications of Md., Inc. v. Comptroller of Md., 176 Md. App. 22 (2007).
• Chang v. Brethren Mutual Ins. Co., 168 Md. App 534 (2006).
• Smith v. Lead Industries Ass’n, 386 Md. 12 (2005).

• DRI, Sheryl J. Willert Pioneer Diversity Award (2021)
• The Daily Record, Leadership in Law Award (2021)
• Super Lawyers® Maryland, Litigation (2016-2018)
• The Daily Record, Influential Marylanders Award (2015)
• The Daily Record, VIP-Professionals Under 40 (2010)