Westminster Estate Planning Lawyers

The National Law Center, George Washington University J.D., with Honors
University of Maryland, BA Major in Government & Politics, Minor in Psychology
Civic, Professional, Foundation and Corporate Affiliations:

Delegate to Democratic National Convention
Campaign Manager for Rep. Michael D. Barnes
Rockville Chamber of Commerce – Past President
National Capital Chapter of MS Society - Board of Trustees, and Past Chair
Shady Grove Hospital Fund Campaign - Major Gift Chair
Montgomery County Bar Association –Chair Judicial Selections; Member of Ethics, Fee Arbitration and Legislation Committees
Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce - Vice President
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce - Liquor Control Evaluation
Rockville Alternative Community Service Commission
Montgomery County Volunteer MS Committee -...

Nicole M. Whitaker, owner of Whitaker Legal, LLC, is also an adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law where she teaches Legal Analysis, Research and Writing. After living in Madrid, Spain, Ms. Whitaker speaks Spanish fluently. In her free time, she teaches English as a Second Language for the Community College of Baltimore County.

As a native of Baltimore, Maryland, Attorney Cohen has been practicing here for over 20 years. She established the Law Offices of Kerri Cohen after working for 11 years for the State of Maryland in Baltimore City at the Office of the Public Defender as an experienced criminal defense trial attorney. She represented clients charged with serious felonies such as homicide, rape, robbery and drug charges among other crimes. Attorney Cohen has tried hundreds of cases before Judges and Juries in the Circuit Court, District Court and Juvenile Courts. Attorney Cohen graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of...

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.

The law firm of Pare & Assoc., LLC (formerly Law Offices of Alice Pare) is a 10+ attorney law firm with locations in Germantown and Silver Spring. We practice several disciplines, including all aspects of family law, Trusts and Estates, Probate, Criminal Law, Bankruptcy, and consumer protection. We strive for excellence and to counsel our clients to react to their circumstnaces with reason. We do our best to keep our fees low and affordable, and encourage our clients to work toward settlement. When settlement is not possible, then we aggressively pursue our clients goals through litigation. We strive to partner...

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...

Ashley Wilburn was born and raised in Hagerstown, Maryland and is a North Hagerstown High School alumnus. Ashley’s current practice emphasizes family law, including divorce, alimony, marital property distribution, child custody, child support, prenuptial and postnuptial (separation) agreements, enforcement and post-divorce matters, step-parent and private party adoptions, and child welfare. Her practice also includes estate planning, wills and trust, probate and estate administration, and commercial, contract and civil litigation. Ashley is also court-appointed to represent children in contested custody cases, and she has recently become a certified mediator. She looks forward to expanding her practice to...

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...

The attorneys at Schifanelli & Associates are tough-minded advocates, expert researchers and litigators, focused, and determined to solve difficult cases. Marc Schifanelli is retired US Army Special Forces veteran with enourmous experience in immigration and criminal defense. Gordana Schifanelli is licensed financial advisor, littigator and focues in family law, child custody and FINRA Littigation/Broker Fraud.

Mr. Duvall received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Baltimore in 1990. For over eighteen years, he has successfully represented business and individual clients in the Baltimore/D.C. corridor. Passionate about providing thorough and highly personalized service, Mr. Duvall works with clients to achieve both protection and planning for the future. Duvall Law Firm, LLC has dedicated staff who are ready to serve you in the following areas: Estate Planning Incapacity Planning Wills Trusts Specialized Wealth Transfer Trusts DynastyTrusts Charitable Trusts Gifting Trusts Estate Administration Trust Administration Asset Protection Disability Planning Business Planning New Business Formation Purchase or Sale of Businesses Succession Planning Contract Review Shareholder/Member Agreements Business Outside Counsel Providing small businesses with immediate access to legal...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

We focus on prompt responses on a human level to clients' legal needs. We have had forty years experience in a broad range of legal issues involving individuals, small businesses and real estate developers. We work with individual property owners to develop, sell and purchase residential and commercial property.

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...

Mark Binstock is a member of the firm’s Litigation practice group who concentrates a significant portion of his practice in litigation involving estates, trusts, guardianships and other fiduciary matters. He has experience in commercial litigation, a substantial portion of which involves commercial contracts, construction litigation, domestic relations and personal injury, while appearing regularly before the federal and state courts in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Every client has their own unique and individual needs and goals in pursuing matters in court. Mark strives to identify those needs during the course of representation. He is sensitive to his clients’ personalities...

Victor Rosenberg, a founding member of the firm, is also a member of its Corporate, Tax, Estate Planning, and Estate & Trust Administration practice groups. He concentrates his practice on corporate, real estate, business, estate planning, probate and tax matters and is also involved in family wealth preservation and business continuity through the establishment of charitable trusts of all types, private foundations, family partnerships and limited liability companies.
Victor is active in trust reformation as well as the financing and sale of beneficial interests in trusts. He has extensive experience in structuring and negotiating business and financing transactions, including the sale...

1981, New York; 1985, U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; 1991, Maryland and District of Columbia; 1992, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland and U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia; 1993, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit; 1997, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; 1999, U.S. Supreme Court Law School: Hofstra University School of Law, J.D. Member: Montgomery County Bar Association, Maryland State and New York State Bar Associations; The District of Columbia Bar; Association of Trial Lawyers of America (formerly until name change); Bar Association Sections and Committees: Commercial Litigation; Real Estate; Estates...

Further information is at www.beatsonlaw.com

I have been practicing law for over twenty-five years, and was selected as the attorney for several major legal service plans, including Chase Manhattan, American Express and Montgomery Wards Legal Service Plans, helping thousands of satisfied clients with their legal problems, and have been an AARP member attorney. In my legal practice, I have taken many cases to trial when necessary, but have settled many hundreds of disputes to the mutual satisfaction of my clients, sometimes involving hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the process, I have handled many cases in such areas of concentration as: Probate, Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Elder...

Stephen Drazin is the Principal, Legal Coordinator, and Managing Attorney at The Drazin Law Center, P.A. Mr. Drazin offers over 20 years of legal experience to individuals and businesses across Maryland, including the Columbia and Baltimore regions. Stephen Drazin is licensed in all the State and Federal Courts within Maryland, as well as, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (in Richmond, VA). Stephen strives to offer an alternative to large law firms by working with clients from the initial consultation through settlement, trial, or case dismissal. Understanding that clients require and desire to know all...

Nick is an accomplished attorney who is also co-owner and Broker of Union Preferred Realty where along with his team, he provides exceptional real estate services to homeowners, investors, sellers, with a special focus on the needs of union members.
When Nick is not in the office, you can catch him working with the next generation of lawyers and leaders at a Baltimore City’s largest high school, where he is the director of the Law and Leadership Program. Nick is a passionate individual who cares for others far more than he does for himself and works tirelessly to ensure the success...

David M. Goldman is a Maryland attorney in general practice, focusing primarily on Family Law, Wills & Estates and Elder Law, with a commitment to the highest standards of personal service for his clients and their families. He graduated from Northeastern University School of Law in 1996 and has been a member of the Bar of the State of Maryland since 1999. David is also an expert in Jewish Law, and is active in community affairs.

Andrea Cheeatow is a lawyer in Hagerstown, MD with over twelve years of litigation experience. Her practice areas include criminal defense and family law matters. Ms. Cheeatow is a former Maryland Assistant Public Defender and is licensed to practice law in the States of Maryland and New Jersey. She has successfully represented clients in divorce, custody and visitation matters, protective orders and peace orders, child support, and other family related matters. Her criminal defense clients include those charged with DUI/DWI, assault, theft, misdemeanor, felony drug possession and distribution, and robbery. For every client, she vigorously seeks to achieve their goals...

Donna K. Rismiller is the founder of Rismiller Law Group, LLC and is an accomplished litigator and collaborative resolution professional. Focusing her practice exclusively in the area of Family Law, she assists her clients with complex financial resolutions, significant custody decisions, as well as highly emotionally-charged disputes, often involving the challenging dynamics of abuse and control.

Donna Rismiller has been recognized for her high achievement and legal aptitude by several publications including the Maryland Daily Record, Maryland Super Lawyers Magazine, Baltimore Magazine and The Washington Post Magazine. She has been recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial...