McNees helps historic Maryland African-American cemetery secure permanent legal ownership
March 24, 2026
Press Releases
FREDERICK, Md. (Mar. 24, 2026) — McNees Wallace & Nurick announces that attorney Matt Graham successfully represented Family and Friends of the Knoxville African-American Cemetery, Inc. in obtaining legal title to the Knoxville African-American Cemetery in Frederick County, Md.
The Knoxville African-American Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 130 African Americans, including veterans of the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and other conflicts. For years, the cemetery had no clear titleholder, limiting efforts to care for, maintain, and preserve the site.
In 2024, Graham assisted with the formation of Family and Friends of the Knoxville African-American Cemetery, Inc., a Maryland nonprofit organization established to assume responsibility for the cemetery’s care and preservation.
Following the organization’s formation, Graham filed a quiet title action in the Circuit Court for Frederick County, seeking to secure legal ownership of the cemetery on behalf of the nonprofit. Although the organization did not have a traditional legal claim to the property, McNees obtained consent orders or default judgments from neighboring property owners with potential claims.
On January 20, 2026, after a merits hearing, the Circuit Court granted the quiet title action and entered an order awarding title to Family and Friends of the Knoxville African-American Cemetery, Inc. for the approximately 0.93-acre property.
Obtaining legal title allows the organization to get insurance, pursue preservation grants, solicit contributions, and undertake long-term care and restoration efforts, including repairing headstones and identifying unmarked graves.
“We were honored to help with this community effort and to play a small role in preserving an African American burial ground with deep cultural and historical meaning,” said Graham. “It’s meaningful to know this property and the history it represents will now be protected for future generations.”
Graham spoke about the pro bono effort at a community event on March 22, 2026, at the Brunswick Branch Library of the Frederick County Public Libraries. The event provided an overview of the cemetery’s history and the recent efforts to secure its preservation.
This pro bono matter was handled through McNees’ Frederick office and reflects both the office’s commitment to the Frederick community and the firm’s broader service efforts as the firm continues to grow its presence in Maryland.
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McNees is a multidisciplinary law firm founded in 1935 with more than 150 attorneys representing businesses, associations, institutions, municipalities, and individuals. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Pittsburgh, Radnor, State College, and York, Pa.; Columbus, Ohio; Frederick and Towson, Md.; and Washington, D.C.
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