Verjeana M. Jacobs holds a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences from the University of Maryland and a law degree from the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. An attorney, she has a distinctive and effective public service career in public education as well as public safety, higher education and the law. Jacobs draws on her diverse professional experiences to effectively advocate on behalf of her clients and constituents.
Jacobs has practiced law in Maryland for sixteen years and manages a solo law practice providing legal counsel and consultation in the areas of organizational development, family law, labor-employment, personal injury/negligence, and contractual relations.
She worked in public safety from 1989 to 2012 at the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections, where she retired as chief of the Office of Responsibility and Legal Affairs at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. As a correctional officer, she relentlessly championed for separate accommodations and educational services for juveniles charged as adults. Jacobs was the first woman elected as president of the Prince George’s Correctional Officers Association and served in that role from 1996 to 2003. During her tenure, the membership received significant enhancements in pensions, benefits and overall working conditions in the department; most notable was her remarkable negotiations skills reducing normal retirement eligibility from 30 to 20 years. She frequently donated pro bono legal services to the association.
Jacobs currently serves as an elected member of the Board of Education and has served in this capacity since December 2006. Elected to a serve in a leadership role by her peers - she served as Vice Chair from 2006 – 2007 and as Chair from 2007 – June 1, 2013. Under her leadership, the school system realized double-digit gains by students on the Maryland School Assessments (MSA) in every grade in both reading and math. In addition to serving as a member of the local board of education, she also serves on the Council of Urban Education/National School Board Association, Steering Committee, as well as the Executive Board of Directors of the Maryland Association Boards of Education. She is a steadfast advocate for public school education at the local, state and national level.
Since 1996, Ms. Jacobs has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, University College, teaching in the Behavioral & Sciences and the Government & Politics discipline, taking an active role in the education of young adults.
She is a published author and was twice nominated (2007, 2012) for Gladys Noon Spellman Public Service Award.
Ms. Jacobs is married with a preschool-aged son; the couple also has a teenage daughter, who resides in California.