Boring Lawyers

My name is Gill A. Cochran, founder Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law in Annapolis, and I’m here to tell you this: take a deep breath, pick up your phone and call me. For the last 18 years, I’ve worked as a criminal defense attorney in Anne Arundel, Allegany, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Calvert, Charles, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s on the Western Shore, and Kent, Caroline, Cecil, Talbot, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties on the Eastern Shore, helping people just like you fight for their freedom.

Gilda O. Karpouzian moved to Annapolis, Maryland 33 years ago. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maryland in 1990 with degrees in Information System Management and Economics. After graduation, she worked for the Maryland Department of Legislative Reference for a year, then entered the University of Maryland School of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree in 1996.

Ms. Karpouzian established her law firm in Annapolis, Maryland in1998 after few years of private practice in one of the larger law firms in Annapolis. She has represented clients from all Maryland cities, including Severna Park, Pasadena, Glen Burnie,...

Gill Cochran is the senior member of Cochran and Chhabra, LLC. He founded the practice after working with the public defender’s office for seven years. Mr. Cochran primarily focuses on criminal defense and serious traffic matters. Mr. Cochran served as a rifle platoon leader in Vietnam. During his time in combat, he decided that practicing law was much more fun. Mr. Cochran is a recovering alcoholic. He believes it allows him to understand the issues surrounding addiction, which then enables him to know the whole client and find a better solution. Mr. Cochran is also an amateur magician, and he...

With 36 years of legal practice, I have developed a broad background in various fields including civil and government litigation, military and civil criminal law, Federal Government administrative law, corporate law, government contracts, and international law, among others. I am a retired Navy Captain Judge Advocate, having held senior positions in the Pentagon and various global locations. My career also includes serving in combat zones four times. I have successfully represented scores of individual clients before Federal Government and State agencies, boards, and courts, protecting their rights to Government benefits, protecting their employment rights, and protecting their freedom. I am...

Over 28 years experience with a specialized practice in agricultural, environmental, natural resources, land use and administrative law, providing advice and counsel to private individuals and corporate entities, local governments and other governmental entities on matters including compliance, Critical Areas and wetlands regulation, nutrient management, dredge placement, pesticide/herbicide application, hazardous and solid waste, Brownfields Redevelopment and Voluntary Cleanup Programs, permitting and related litigation and general land use law on planning, annexation, rezoning, Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreements and water and sewer capacity allocation and rates. Represents clients in State and federal courts and administrative forums, including both trial and...

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...

Owner/Founder (MD) (DC) Managan Johnson is a highly experienced, meticulous, litigator, specializing in civil appeals and family law. Ms. Johnson has consistently received high praise from her clients and the bench due to her caring and superb representation. A mother of two, she is trustworthy, empathetic, and dedicated to representing clients, whether through collaborative process or litigation. “Managan made my divorce as painless as possible. A true professional who went above and beyond to help me with my case. Fast response times and solid advice. Easy to get in touch with and an abundance of knowledge and experience. I highly recommend...

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.

Michelle Chapin, a member of the firm’s Estate Planning, Estate & Trust Administration, Tax and Corporate practice groups, advises individuals, families and small business owners regarding their estate and gift planning needs. Recognized as a Top Trusts and Estates Lawyer in Washingtonian magazine, Michelle excels at providing clients with easy to understand explanations of intricate legal and tax matters. She works closely with her clients to create comprehensive and customized estate and business succession plans to achieve their tax and non-tax wealth preservation objectives. She also helps clients implement lifetime gifting and post-mortem wealth transfer strategies and counsels fiduciaries on...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

2002 and 2003 - Nominated for Who's Who Among American Law Students

2012 - Recipient of the Pro Bono Award from Community Legal Services of Prince George's County, Inc.

2014 - Recipient of the President's Citation for Outstanding Pro Bono Service from the Montgomery County Maryland Bar Foundation

Attorney Dontrice P. Hamilton graduated from The George Washington University National Law Center. As a law student, she interned at the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. After graduation, she was a Judicial Law Clerk to The Honorable William B. Spellbring, Jr. at the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County. Her practice focuses on family law,...

Highly skilled, special education attorney. 25 years experience in special education, advocating for students and their families. Over 1500 IEP meetings attended. Successful special education trial and appellate litigator, with several published decision. Entertaining, high-energy public speaker on all topics related to public education.

Luke is a career Criminal Defense Attorney in the State of Maryland having practiced criminal defense since 1997, after receiving a Bachelor from Reed College and a JD from Northwestern School of Law. He started his career as a DOJ law clerk for the landmark racketeering case against the tobacco industry, while serving as a JAG officer in the US Army Reserves. After those positions in the early 2000s, Luke centered his practice exclusively in DUI and criminal defense, including juvenile court, in multiple jurisdictions in Maryland, gaining trial experience through representation of clients in thousands cases in District,...

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...

Joseph H. LaMore, Jr. is a former Assistant State's Attorney for Anne Arundel County and an honors graduate from the University of Maryland School of Law, with vast experience before all Maryland State and Federal Courts. He has been named to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers association, named to the "SuperLawyers" list as published by Baltimore Magazine, and named a "Leading Lawyer" for Anne Arundel County, as published in What's Up? Annapolis Maganzine. Mr. LaMore provides representation in all Criminal Matters, Auto Accidents, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and Family Law. He has been admitted to...

Mr. England routinely represents domestic and foreign companies of all sizes, assisting them in understanding and complying with USDA, FDA, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and state requirements. His representation enables his clients to reduce the risk of regulatory interference with products being imported, exported or distributed in interstate commerce.

A 17-year veteran of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Mr. England served as Regulatory Counsel to the Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs, and before that as an FDA Consumer Safety Officer, Compliance Officer, Senior Special Agent with the Office of Criminal Investigations, and analytical regulatory...

Dawn Merino has been providing legal services and mediation to the people of Glen Burnie, Maryland, and the surrounding areas for over twenty years. Specializing in family law, Dawn’s clients remain grateful for her assistance during the most difficult phase of their lives. We offer legal services and mediation for matters including divorce, separation, child custody, and domestic violence.

Are you thinking about filing for divorce? Are you unsure where to turn when it comes to dealing with child custody issues or a postnuptial agreement? If so, then you can’t afford to wait for the quality care that is so completely available at the Law Office of Garland C. Hall, LLC. Here, you will be treated with the careful understanding and help that is necessary. If you need a Glen Burnie divorce lawyer, then you don’t have to search any longer. The Law Office of Garland C. Hall, LLC consists of a team of legal professionals who will make...

Kelley was born and raised in Baltimore County.

She received her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Kelley returned to Baltimore and earned her law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Kelley was a Rule 16 student attorney in the Family Law Clinic, where she assisted clients in protective order and divorce matters. Prior to opening her own practice, Kelley was an associate at the Law Office of Garland C. Hall in Glen Burnie. For the last 3 years, Kelley was named among the 10 best attorneys in client satisfaction by the American...

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.

Entrepreneur, attorney, and advisor focused on helping emerging companies, startups and VC funds thrive. I work with unicorn startups, publicly traded companies and everything in between. I am excited about leveraging my experience to help your business thrive.

I have a background in the computer and electronics industry, and for the past 25 years, I have also supported clients in diverse industries including aerospace, medical device, and telecommunications. Additionally, I have protected a wide range of products and inventions for various individuals. My work primarily involves client counseling and the development of patent portfolios. Previously, I worked as a computer engineer at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory within an embedded computer systems group. There, I developed solutions that integrated hardware and software components, focusing on image processing, network communications, and circuit design technologies. I have also authored...

An attorney licensed in Maryland and DC, Ms. Ontaneda-Bernales has also been admitted to the United States Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. She has founded the Law Offices of Sylvia Ontaneda-Bernales (Maryland), Ontaneda-Bernales Law (Nevada), and Ontaneda-Bernales LLC (New Mexico). Her Immigration practice includes Relative Petitions, Fiance Visas, Naturalizations, Green Card Applications, Business and Investor Visas, and DACA, among other Immigration-related services. As a mediator, she has worked for the District Court of Maryland ADR Program. She is also a Spanish language consultant, translator, and interpreter listed in the Maryland Court Interpreter...