Somerset Estate Planning Lawyers

As the founder and managing partner at Francois Legal Group, LLC, E. Regine Francois applies diverse legal and life experience to effectively represent individuals and businesses across a range of practice areas that include: estate planning, civil litigation, personal injury law, protective orders, and consumer matters.
With over a decade of legal experience, Regine understands the value of meticulous preparation to anticipate and avoid potential problems, while asserting her clients’ rights to the fullest extent. She truly cares about each client and views her role as effectively representing and counseling her clients about their options and the potential realities they face...

I am a dedicated attorney with a focus on family law, guardianship and elder law litigation. Known for my fierce advocacy, I am committed to ensuring that my clients achieve the most favorable outcomes in their legal matters. I approach sensitive family dynamics with understanding and patience, offering the support my clients need during challenging times. As a native of Baltimore, I deeply value family life and actively participate in community initiatives, reflecting my dedication to making a positive impact beyond the courtroom.

Mark W. Oakley is an established litigation attorney concentrating on civil litigation, personal injury, construction law, and criminal and traffic defense. He also advises business clients, negotiates and drafts contracts, and handles a variety of litigation matters at all levels of the state and federal court systems. Mr. Oakley is trained and certified in the collaborative practice of law. Mr. Oakley is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law (J.D. 1987), and the University of Maryland, College Park (B.A. 1984). He is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association, the District of...

My philosophy is a guiding principle in my law practice and I apply it in every facet of serving my clients. My practice is an extension of that philosophy as I help clients problem solve when they are in the throes of a crisis. My philosophy also guides me when I am helping clients to avoid a future crisis through strategic planning and when I help them set priorities to mitigate the impact of a future problem.

Attorney Robin Rucker Gaillard is adept at the law and her ability to listen closely and to provide strong counsel along with a solid...

Nakia Gray is a multi-faceted businesswoman and lawyer. She leverages her expertise in intellectual property law and brand strategy to give Black women business owners the legal strategies they need to package, protect and profit from their intellectual property. Having launched her law firm in 2014, Nakia has provided brand strategy and legal solutions to thousands of small business owners, and believes that with the right legal strategy a business can expand, grow and create a lasting legacy. For four years in a row Nakia has been named a Top Attorney by Washington, D.C.’s SuperLawyers magazine and has been featured on the...

Founded in 2003, Simpson Law, PA provides a comprehensive, compassionate, and convenient way for busy parents and professionals to obtain vitally necessary estate planning services in MD, DC and VA. The standard package of documents provided includes a Will, Power of Attorney for Health Care, Power of Attorney for Finances, and a Living Will. Depending upon the client’s needs, trusts such as marital trusts, children’s trusts, and life insurance trusts are advised and prepared. Suzanne counsels clients with regard to strategies to reduce or eliminate estate tax liability, and makes recommendations regarding asset titling, life insurance, and...

Tom Downs is an Estate Planning Attorney who currently resides in Laurel, Maryland with his wife, Margie Lazzati Downs. They have three children, Patrick, Lauren, and Joseph Downs.

Patrick is married,  and is a civilian employee of the US Army, following five years service as an Army officer. He served a one year tour in Afghanistan, during which he lead numerous dangerous missions. We are proud of his service and thankful that he and his team made it home safely. We have a great appreciation for those who serve, and what they and their families do.

Lauren is married. She teaches at...

Steve Thienel is an attorney and managing member of Thienel Law Firm, a Maryland law firm dedicated to servicing the needs of professionals and business owners. In his law practice, Steve focuses his practice on a full spectrum of legal services in the areas of tax, business, estate planning, and family law matters to maximize client opportunities while preserving wealth. He represents entrepreneurs, investors, business owners, executives, and professionals in both litigation and transactional matters. Steve is an entrepreneur and business owner himself having been a business consultant, academic, and corporate executive prior to starting his own law practice.

My name is Joseph Carey, and I founded Carey Law Office 37 years ago. Since that day, the firm has helped people throughout the state get their lives back on track. We understand that there is almost always an underlying reason for people’s actions, and that your life shouldn’t end because you made a mistake. If you are at a crossroads, we can guide you with honest, practical advice and treat you with the dignity and compassion you deserve. When you need help, call Carey Law Office in Bowie or Crofton and schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney who...

Jennifer's practice focuses primarily in the area of employment and labor law. Jennifer provides a range of services for union clients-- from contract negotiation, grievance processing and arbitration, to representation at the NLRB. Jennifer also represents employees in a variety of matters, including unlawful discrimination and wage-and-hour disputes.

S. Robert Sutton has been engaged in the practice of law since his graduation from the Stanford Law School in 1980. Following his graduation from law school, he went to work at Jenner & Block in Chicago, Illinois, where he obtained his first experience as a litigator, and honed his legal research and writing skills. He worked at Jenner & Block for two years before returning to live in Montgomery County, where he was born and raised and went to work at Steptoe & Johnson, in Washington, D.C., where he continued to develop his research, writing,...

Attorney Adams, born in Montgomery, AL, graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio, and moved to Washington, DC to attend American University's Washington College of Law. Following graduation from American, Attorney Adams became a member of the Maryland and DC bars. Her primary areas of practice are Real Estate, Corporate, Contracts, Probate, and, recently, Civil Litigation. Her philosophy is "I will always work diligently and in good faith to protect, advise and educate my clients."

Jac E. Knust began his law practice in 1972 and practices primarily in the Central Maryland Metropolitan area. He has engaged in a general law practice for 52 years, with emphasis on family law, divorce, separation and property settlement agreements, elder law, estate planning, wills, probate, trusts, powers of attorney, health care advance directives, criminal matters, real estate, landlord/tenant, business planning, corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. He is a former Assistant State's Attorney for Howard County, a former Assistant Public Defender for Howard County. From 2014 to 2018 Jac E. Knust served as a Special Magistrate for the Circuit...

Dave Gormley is a Partner and the head of our Bankruptcy and Real Estate departments. He has been handling bankruptcy and foreclosure cases for over 10 years. There isn’t much related to bankruptcy or foreclosure he has not already seen. Dave is admitted to practice in Maryland and the Federal Courts, including the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. He lives near Annapolis with his family.

Raymond E. Brown is a founding member of The Law Office of Raymond E. Brown, LLC. His focus is on estate planning and associated practices in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Raymond brings compassion, understanding, and thoroughness to the table when listening to clients explain their goals and vision. He regularly donates free time to assisting underrepresented and impoverished individuals, believing that everyone should have a say when it comes to their legacy and medical decisions. Whether you have a large or small estate, you’re single, divorced, military, or a business owner, Raymond’s approach and system of processes will provide...

For as long as I remember, I wanted to be an attorney. My father and founder of the firm, Vernon Frame, was a practicing attorney for over 65 years serving the community before he retired in 2002 at the age of 80. I grew up watching him help the residents of the local communities when they needed legal advice or representation. I attend high school in Severna Park and subsequently moved to Baltimore where I attended the Johns Hopkins University and earned my bachelor's degree. While at Hopkins, I played for the Blue Jay's Women's lacrosse team. After graduation,...

Laura Thomas is the owner of Legacy Legal Planning, LLC. She advises individuals, families and small business of their estate planning needs and tax needs. Laura takes extra care to accommodate her clients’ wishes, understanding that estate administration is often emotionally difficult, and that a well formed plan can be crucial to helping a family get through a challenging time. She is diligent in her drafting of wills, trusts, advance directives, powers of attorney, business formation agreements and transfer documents. Laura is an active member of the Maryland State Bar Association Estate & Trust Section Council, the Howard County Estate Planning...