 In 2008, Shurberg worked with Equality Maryland to successfully defend Montgomery County citizens against challenges to a gender identity nondiscrimination statute passed earlier in the year.The statute, which would inspire future nondiscrimination ordinances in Baltimore and Howard County, was challenged in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County by anti-equality activists who wanted to force the statute to be subject to a popular vote.Shurberg argued extensively against the validity of the referendum petition, both before the Circuit Court and the Maryland Court of Appeals.