Ombudsman & Supporting Cast

	Lisa Kershner, Ombudsman Appointed by the Maryland Attorney General to a 4-year term, Lisa Kershner is Maryland’s first Public Access Ombudsman. Opening the Office on March 30, 2016, she was reappointed to a second term in March 2020. Ms. Kershner’s primary activity has been to help PIA requestors and responding agencies resolve PIA issues voluntarily through constructive dialogue and practical problem-solving. Ms. Kershner is a long-time resident of Maryland, a Maryland lawyer, and graduate of UMCP and the University of Maryland School of Law. She brings to the Ombudsman role prior experience representing requestors and custodians under the PIA and FOIA, as well as experience representing participants in many types of mediation and litigation. After years of litigation practice, Ms. Kershner most enjoys the opportunity to help requestors and agencies solve problems without litigation!
	Sara Klemm, Assistant Attorney General Sara is a native Baltimorean and proud attendee of Maryland public schools from kindergarten through law school. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in English Literature and American Studies. In 2011, Sara graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law. After clerking for the Honorable Russell F. Canan in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Sara went to work for Maryland’s Office of the Public Defender. She handled district court cases in Harford County before transferring to the Baltimore City office, where she took on misdemeanor cases in both district and circuit court. In 2017, Sara transferred again to the public defender’s post conviction division where she handled post conviction cases statewide.
	S. Spencer Dove, Administrative Officer A native of Maryland who has devoted his professional life to public service, Spencer joined the OAG’s Public Access Unit (“PAU”) in December, 2021. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Washington College, Spencer began his career as the Legislative Director for State Delegate Roger Manno (District 19) before moving on to serve as the Chief of Staff to State Delegate Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk (District 21). In May, 2013, Spencer joined the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights as Executive Associate & Public Relations Officer, supporting both the Executive Director as well as the entire Executive Leadership Team in carrying out the mission and the vision of the agency. Now as the Administrator to the PAU, Spencer is your first point-of-contact to reach the Public Access Ombudsman and PIA Compliance Board.