New Market Lawyers

I am an American citizen and have been admitted to practice as an Attorney and Counselor at Law in Maryland, Washington DC, and New York. I earned a master's degree in law from the George Washington University Law School, with a focus on Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. My legal career began in 1989 when I was first admitted to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a lawyer. I have also worked for several years as a Legal and Community Affairs Manager for a British-owned oil company. With over 35 years of combined experience, I have a substantial background in...

Gary Gerstenfield is a well-known and respected criminal defense attorney who is highly soughtafter for his effective trial skills and advocacy. He obtained his Juris Doctor in 1990 from the Catholic University of America, where he served as senior staff member of the prestigious Journal of Contemporary Health Law & Policy. Upon entering the bar, Mr. Gerstenfield returned to school in Boston where he obtained a certificate in DUI defense from the nationally known College of DUI Defense presented at Harvard Law School.

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...

Michael Fried has spent over 25 years practicing law, and more specifically tax related law. As the principal founder of Fried Law Firm and now 1 of 2 partners at Fried & Rosefelt, LLC, Michael S. Fried actively helps clients by handling bankruptcies, business purchases, federal and state tax problems, partnership and shareholder relationships.

Robert J. Weltchek will soon be entering his fourth decade of practice as one of the most esteemed and respected trial attorneys in the country. Mr Weltchek is a creative and tenacious advocate for his client’s interests, evidenced by his impeccable record of recovering landmark verdicts. His success has not gone unnoticed. Best Lawyers in America has recognized Weltchek as one of the top personal injury lawyers in the country.

Debbie Cohn’s keys to professional success are as diverse as her eclectic client base that consists of professionals, business owners, retirees, and non-U.S. citizens. Yet perhaps her most critical—and comforting—characteristic is an ability to explain complex concepts in a way her clients can understand. Debbie’s approach to estate planning is equal parts pragmatic and creative, which helps put her clients at ease with the knowledge that their families will be cared for and protected, and their asset protection and wealth management goals will be met. And her wealth of experience and vast knowledge of the law allow her to blend...

As Co-Chair of Paley Rothman’s Family Law practice and a member of its Litigation practice group, Carlos Lastra provides clients with diligent, thoughtful and effective representation, addressing both their immediate concerns and securing long-term solutions, in arguably the toughest times imaginable. Applying skills honed over a quarter of a century of recurrent civil and criminal trials before judges and juries in federal and state courtrooms in multiple jurisdictions, Carlos employs his rich trial experience to create a strategy custom-made to meet the client’s objectives, anticipate the opposing party’s tactics, and ultimately achieve his client’s goals.
Over the last 26 years, Carlos...

Immigration Lawyer, Lynn Garfinkel, Esq., has been helping clients prevent and solve problems for eight years. She recently launched Garfinkel Immigration Law, LLC to better serve client needs.Lynn Garfinkel represents clients seeking green cards, temporary and permanent visas, family and work petitions, deportation defense, naturalization, and religious, political, and gender based asylum, and benefits under the Violence Against Women Act. Ms. Garfinkel has experience with a variety of employment based petitions, including intracompany transferees, specialty occupations, professionals, researchers, and more.Finally, Ms. Garfinkel successfully represents clients at consulates around the world. Ms. Garfinkel is currently Chair of the Asylum...

Kevin is a Principal in the firm and considers himself as a true business attorney. From start-up through transition, Kevin serves as outside counsel for a myriad of local businesses of varying size and industry. He is a member of the firm’s Corporate, Nonprofits, Science & Technology, and Real Estate practice groups, and regularly provides counsel in each of these areas, including general operation and governance of for-profit and nonprofit entities, business dispute resolutions, IP and technology licensing and transactions, private placements, the negotiation of employment relationships and separations, executive compensation, structuring and implementing corporate mergers and acquisitions, the negotiation...

In practice in Maryland and Washington D.C. For 25 years. I have tried hundreds of cases and resolved many more. The most important thing a lawyer can do for you is to analyze the case and take steps to assure a positive outcome. A resolution without a trial is always preferable.

Mr. Richa's clients include recording artists, songwriters, music producers, music production companies, music publishers, record labels, television and film producers, television and video production companies, entertainment management companies, apparel companies, filmmakers, professional photographers, promotion companies, restaurants, mortgage companies, real estate companies, graphic design companies, automobile service centers, importers/exporters, interior decorating companies, insurance companies, consulting companies, medical industry companies, technology companies, software companies, image consulting companies, property nanagement companies, retail stores, business management companies, actors, directors, screenwriters, marketing companies, public relations firms, personal and business managers, commercial and music video production companies, DJ's, recording studios, dancers and choreographers along with various...

Cristen Rose’s practice encompasses a wide variety of commercial & business litigation, with significant experience in mass torts, class actions, product liability defense, environmental litigation, contractual disputes and regulatory compliance. As a member of the firm’s Regulatory Law & Litigation practice group, she devotes a significant portion of her practice to the regulation of pesticides and other chemical products under the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Cristen also has extensive experience representing companies that are subjects of investigations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the...

Linda Schwartz is a senior member of the Professional Ethics & Discipline, Estate Planning, Estate & Trust Administration, Corporate, and Real Estate practice groups. She has considerable experience in complex real estate and commercial transactions, business planning, executive succession planning, and estate planning and administration for both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. For more than 30 years, she has served as counsel to prominent national, regional and local developers and business owners. In 2006, she was elected to the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.
Throughout her legal career, Linda has been active in public service. She is a former Assistant Attorney...

Pallavi Kachoria is an Associate in the firm’s Litigation and Family Law practice groups. She has experience in a variety of litigation areas including general civil, commercial, and domestic litigation. Pallavi also has experience in transactional matters in working with business owners to draft documents and research complex legal issues.
Her passion for the law, the rules, and fairness helps her succeed as a litigator. In working with her clients, Pallavi embraces a practical and honest approach in dealing with their complex disputes. She works tirelessly to understand all facets of her cases and aims to develop a strong relationship...

For more than 40 years, Art House has been working with businesses of all types as a corporate lawyer and litigator. He chairs the firm’s Science & Technology and Alternative Dispute Resolution practice groups, and is a member of the Corporate practice group. Art brings responsiveness and an ability to offer practical solutions to his clients, understanding that his clients’ business needs drive the deals, not the lawyer.
Art’s background in enterprise development, licensing for technology-based companies and assisting both established and start-up businesses in developing legal, business alliance and acquisition strategies gives him unique insight into the real-world problems facing...

Jim Hammerschmidt is Co-President of the firm, Co-Chair of the Employment Law group, and a member of its Litigation and Appellate Practice groups. His practice includes a range of commercial, corporate, and employment counseling and litigation, but his primary task is listening. The first thing Jim does when meeting with a client is ask, “What is your goal?” In doing this, Jim is able to determine the client’s expectations and whether we will be able to meet them. Only then can he really set about meeting his clients’ business needs.
Jim has extensive experience representing and counseling clients on employment law...

Mark Goldstein, one of the founders of the firm, is a member of its Corporate, Financial Services, Estate Planning and Estate & Trust Administration practice groups. He concentrates on corporate, business, estate and tax planning and advises large and small corporations, general and limited partnerships, associations and proprietorships on sophisticated business planning issues. He represents a large number of estate planning clients and is well respected for his ability to communicate and implement complicated plans in a practical manner. Mark has significant experience in structuring and negotiating business and financing transactions, reorganizations and private placement syndications. He has served as...

Ron Dweck is Chair of the firm’s Corporate practice group, and a member of the Tax, Nonprofit and Science & Technology groups. Ron acts as general counsel to a number of companies, including large and small corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and business organizations in various fields. As such, he knows a great deal about many different practice areas and applies that knowledge to better serve his corporate clients. His corporate work includes preparing and negotiating a wide variety of business contracts, as well as counseling in conjunction with executive compensation, corporate governance and risk & litigation management. He has...

As one of the most respected Baltimore discrimination lawyers, I promise you a full and realistic analysis of your options, rights and remedies, and a plan that fits your individual circumstances. From a strong employment contract to a fair severance agreement, or coaching to help resolve controversy or avoid job loss; or if you face wrongful termination, sexual harassment, or discrimination in your Maryland workplace, and need to fight a battle in the courts. Contact Kathleen Cahill, Maryland sexual harassment and wrongful termination attorney. Let’s discuss what you need and let’s get it done.

Maryland Bankruptcy Attorney Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Debt Relief

Kerry D. Staton attended Oberlin College and the University of Maryland School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor in 1980. Mr. Staton is a member of the Maryland Association for Justice (formerly the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association) where he served on the Board of Governors from 1988 through 1995. He is a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now the American Association for Justice), where he has served as the Maryland State Delegate and Minority Caucus Member for Maryland. Mr. Staton is a Fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation, the Reginald Heber Smith Law...

I am the founder and managing attorney for Bordner Law. I have nearly 20 years of law enforcement experience and extensive knowledge of the inner workings of police departments. I am a dedicated, results-oriented attorney with a reputation for responsive client service and positive outcomes in court. Prior to becoming a lawyer, I was a police officer with the Ocean City Police Department, followed by the Baltimore County Police Department. My time as a police officer gives me an unprecedented level of insider knowledge surrounding criminal matters, traffic and impaired driving offenses. As an officer, I trained...

Steven Wilder is a personal injury lawyer at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers. He has nearly 50 years of experience handling personal injury cases. He has helped clients recover millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. He has experience handling many different types of accident cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, brain injuries, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other accidents. Steven began his law career in the State’s Attorney’s Office for Baltimore City, where he obtained vast trial experience. He has also assisted clients with personal bankruptcy cases. Steven is now retired from the practice of law and no longer handles...

Mr. Elira is the founding partner of The Elira Law Firm, LLC. As a licensed Maryland attorney and passionate advocate for justice, Mr. Elira takes a unique approach to lawyering by showing the client that he genuinely cares about the client as well as the case. Mr. Elira enjoys helping his clients face and overcome their legal challenges. Mr. Elira identifies with his clients and will work tirelessly to ensure that they are treated fairly in the courtroom and that their case gets the best possible resolution.

Jonathan Schochor is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, and the American University School of Law, where he was Associate Editor-In-Chief of the Law Review. He has served as a Board Member, Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association, and has further served as the Maryland State Delegate and Governor of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Mr. Schochor has been requested to teach and lecture both nationally and locally by institutions such as the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Additionally, he has been a guest expert on a...