Riva Lawyers

Kerri Smith concentrates her practice on commercial and residential real estate. She represents landlords, tenants, business owners, property management companies, commercial property owners and contractors in all aspects of development, construction, leasing and management. Her practice includes all types of commercial, residential, retail, office, industrial and mixed used developments. Ms. Smith also covers civil matters in Federal and State courts and has extensive experience in representing clients in a broad range of other matters including commercial leases, class actions, contract disputes and collection actions. She advocates in court on a daily basis.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION INCLUDE

• Maryland Divorce and Separation law
• Pre and Postnuptial Agreements
• Separation and Property Settlement Agreements
• Paternity
• Property Division, the Division of Marital Assets, Maintenance and Support
• Alimony – Pendente Lite, Rehabilitative and Indefinite
• Custody and Visitation
• Maryland and Interstate Child Support
• Military Divorces involving Maryland residents
• Ex Parte Protective Order Hearings (temporary and final)
• Interstate Custody Disputes
• Relocation Child Custody Cases
• Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act
• Appeals to the Court of Special Appeals and Court of Appeals
• Best Interest Attorney appointments in Baltimore County, Howard County and Talbot County

Award winning and well-respected personal injury attorney representing people who have been injured due to accidents and negligence throughout the state of Maryland.

Mr. Leitess’ practice has a national scope, serving clients located around the country in litigation and transactional matters arising in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. His practice focuses on the areas of substantive law that businesses rely upon daily.

The majority of Mr. Leitess’ daily professional activity relates to business litigation and arbitration, however a substantial amount of his time is dedicated to transactional matters and “outside general counsel” services for day-to-day operations of clients who do not have an in-house legal department.

Mr. Leitess has 25 years of experience as “first chair” attorney in numerous evidentiary and non-evidentiary hearings,...

C. William Michaels is an appellate lawyer. He has concentrated his practice on appellate matters for the last 25 years. He is available to draft briefs for other attorneys --in either Federal or State appellate courts--or to represent clients in either Maryland or Federal appellate courts (Fourth Circuit and DC Circuit). He graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1978 and from Brandeis University (magna cum laude) in 1975. While at law school he was Associate Editor for the Maryland Law Forum and one of the Assistant Editors of the Maryland Law Review.

Kim’s practice focuses on bankruptcy, personal injury, civil rights and business matters. Kim has been an attorney for almost 30 years, serving the citizens of Maryland and District of Columbia.

Rick Schmidt has extensive experience in virtually all facets of personal injury law and has recovered literally millions of dollars for his clients. Mr. Schmidt holds BA and JD degrees from the University of Maryland and its School of Law. At Maryland Law, he won the American Jurisprudence Award for Equitable Remedies. In the 1980’s, Mr. Schmidt was chosen by Us Magazine as one of the 35 most promising Americans under the age of 35. Since then he has co-authored two books: How To Market Your Law Practice (Aspen Press) and Consumer Revenge (Putman’s). Mr. Schmidt has appeared on over...

Having graduated with honors from The Citadel in 1987, Kevin D. Wise, is well prepared for the combat theaters of the courtroom.

A fearless litigator who has recovered millions for his clients, Mr. Wise has a zeal for protecting the injured.

For over two decades, he has assured a better future for those who have been unfairly victimized by the negligence of others, whether through motor vehicle crashes, products liability, wrongful death, worker’s compensation, catastrophic tractor trailer accidents, or railroad collisions.

Mr. Melehy began his legal career in 1987 as a judicial law clerk to Maryland Court of Appeals Judge William H. Adkins, II. He then spent eight years serving as an Assistant Attorney General with the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, where he developed as a skilled trial lawyer. Since 1997, Mr. Melehy has focused his practice on representing employees in disputes with their employers, including cases involving wage and hour violations and discrimination claims against both private sector and federal government employers. Over the years, Mr. Melehy and his firm have advocated for countless employees and achieved significant settlements as...

Ms. Whitlock was born and raised in Wilson, North Carolina. She earned her undergraduate degree from NC State University, where she competed as a member of the Wolfpack tennis team. She later attended the David A. Clarke School of Law at the University of the District of Columbia, where she received the Dean’s Cup in recognition of her exceptional public service. During law school, she served on the Judiciary Committee of the Student Body Association and worked as a teaching assistant in a course examining governmental responsibilities during national disasters. In her final year, she completed more than 800 hours...

Amos Whitney received his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2005 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland, School of Law in May 2009.

After graduating from law school, Amos served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Diane O. Leasure, former Administrative Judge for the Circuit Court for Howard County from August 2009 - September 2010. He was admitted to the Maryland bar in December 2009, Amos then joined Weinberg & Schwartz, L.L.C., as an associate in September 2010. In 2018, Mr. Whitney was made a Partner.

Leah K. Barron, a founding partner of Brown & Barron, LLC, has dedicated her legal career to protecting plaintiffs who have been harmed by corporate malfeasance. Leah currently focuses her practice on representing families who have lost a loved one due to abuse or neglect at a nursing home. She prides herself on having developed a thriving nursing home abuse practice at Brown & Barron, and she is focused on providing all the firm’s clients with top-notch legal representation, combined with an exceptional client experience.

Prior to co-founding Brown & Barron, Leah maintained a national practice and served as Team Leader...

Mr. Zois is a founding partner of Miller & Zois and one of the most accomplished trial attorneys in Maryland. Her practice focuses on representing victims as lead attorney in catastrophic injury and death cases against negligent corporations and healthcare providers. Before establishing her own firm, Ms. Zois was a defense attorney for major insurance companies including State Farm and Allstate. Ms. Zois has tried over 300 tort cases and has a track record in high-stakes malpractice and personal injury claims. She has won numerous multi-million-dollar cases including a $10,000,000 verdict in a complex medical malpractice case and an $8,000,000 verdict...

Patrick S. Preller is the managing partner of the firm with over twenty years of litigation experience in federal and state courts throughout the region. Mr. Preller is recognized as one of the most able trial lawyers in Maryland, and has enjoyed an extraordinary record of success.   In 1998, Mr. Preller graduated with honors from the University of Baltimore School of Law where he served as an associate editor on Law Review. Following graduation, Mr. Preller clerked for the Honorable Maurice W. Baldwin on the Circuit Court of Maryland for Harford County.  He then accepted an appointment as an...

David Sanford is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP, a national law firm with offices in the District of Columbia, New York, California, Tennessee, and Maryland. He received his J.D. from Stanford Law School, M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and B.A. from Vassar College. David has recovered more than one billion dollars for individual clients and the United States government since 2004.

David represents C-suite executives and non-managerial hourly employees throughout the US. He has served as lead counsel in more than 50 class actions and numerous qui tam cases around the country...

Donald L. Bell was born on September 29, 1975, in Montgomery, Alabama. He attended Carver Senior High School in Montgomery, graduating with honors. Motivated by a strong sense of duty, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in August 1993. During his six years of active duty, he embraced the Corps’ foundational principles of Honor, Courage, and Commitment — values that continue to shape his legal practice today. While serving, Mr. Bell pursued higher education and earned an Associate of Arts degree with honors from Campbell University in North Carolina in 1996. He went on to complete his bachelor's degree...

I am Justin Batoff, a principal at Batoff Associates, and I have recently joined Silverman Thompson as of counsel. In this role, I am dedicated to serving our clients and providing guidance to startups, emerging companies, and established private and family-owned businesses on a variety of transactional and corporate matters. My practice primarily focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private placements, equity compensation, real estate and commercial transactions, and estate planning. Clients appreciate my role as outside general counsel, where I offer practical, business-focused legal solutions that are aligned with their strategic goals. I provide advice across multiple industries, including manufacturing, food...

I use my personal and legal experiences to help my clients and their families. I have written articles for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and Maryland State Bar Association. I spoken at Churches, Junior League, NARFE, Ameriprise, Prudential, Montgomery Hospice, American Association of Daily Money Managers, Grass Roots Organization for the Well-Being of Seniors (GROWS), and Hospice Caring on topics, such as, Estate Planning: Wills and Trusts, Common Mistakes in Estate Planning, Planning for Long Term Care, Advance Medical Directives, and Guardianship.

Hadrian N. Hatfield represents clients who want creative, informed, and thoughtful solutions to complex family law problems. His in-depth knowledge and extensive experience ranges from cases with high-stakes and strong emotions to interstate and international situations. Mr. Hatfield is fluent in French and has worked on international law issues at the U.S. Department of State. Local and overseas clients often consult him on international family law matters such as: •International Pre-Nuptial Agreements; •Divorce litigation in two countries at the same time; •Foreign located marital assets; •International alimony and child support issues; and •Custody and visitation rights in...

Mr. Moorstein provides legal representation with a concentration in family law, while also representing clients in their employment, real estate, personal injury and business issues. With almost 30 years experience practicing in Maryland and Washington , D.C. Mr. Moorstein practices an individualized approach to the law, developing a flexible strategy best suited to his clients' needs and goals. While dispute resolution through agreement is preferred, Mr. Moorstein also provides high quality courtroom representation.

Recognized by Superlawyers and the Washingtonian Magazine as one of the top lawyers in the area, Mr. Moorstein and the firm of Blank & Moorstein, L.L.P. and...

"Sei-Hee Arii: one in a million attorney; once in a lifetime individual" "Her knowledge, expertise and professionalism saved my life." My promise to you: I will look after your best interest; treat you like the individual that you are; and I will fight... for you. I have successfully litigated criminal, serious traffic (DUI/DWI), and civil cases for over 20 years. From 2013 to 2024, I received AVVO's Superb 10.0 rating and its Clients' Choice Award. I am AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest level of professional excellence at which a firm can be ranked by its peers, and am a recipient...

Divorce is often a difficult and painful process, and it can be emotionally exhausting. If you are going through the divorce process and are wondering where you can turn to procure the help you need at such a time, look no further than Gardner Law Firm. A divorce lawyer in Rockville at this office has assisted numerous individuals who are dealing with complications and hardships comparable to yours and is prepared to take on your case and support you at this time. Attorney David Gardner received his Juris Doctorate from the American University, Washington College of Law and is a...

Karen L. Levian is an attorney and a registered nurse. She combines her legal and medical education, and experience in a law practice which focuses on Social Security disability benefits. Ms. Levian represents people in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia with claims for Social Security disability benefits.

I am a 36 year veteran of the Maryland and District of Columbia court systems. There is little that would surprise us!

Justin W. Esworthy is the founding Member of Esworthy Law, LLC with extensive litigation experience, having tried over one thousand cases throughout the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Justin has obtained favorable results for both civil and criminal clients through both pre-suit representation as well as trial victories. Prior to law school, Justin studied in Buenos Aires, Argentina and obtained his B.B.A from Hofstra University. He earned his J.D. from Tulane University Law School and then began his law career in the courtroom as an Assistant Public Defender representing clients on charges...

I became an immigration attorney to help preserve this country's legacy as a land of opportunity and freedom. With my hard work, perseverance, and a strong advocate by their side, my clients were able to achieve the American Dream.

At the Law Office of Ryan C. Atwell, I strive to be the one attorney you will ever need to handle all of your legal matters.

At the Law Office of Adam Habibi, P.C. we handle many US immigration cases on behalf of clients throughout the United States and from around the world. Our mission is to provide you with individual attention and professional service at every step on the path toward achieving your immigration goals. U.S. immigration law is extremely complex and the assistance of a professional guiding you throughout the process is absolutely essential. We also offer affordable pricing and flat rates. Since 2011 the Law Office of Adam Habibi, P.C., has served clients from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Reaching innumerable successes in-Court and...

I am a partner at Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig PLLC. My practice focuses primarily on civil litigation in the areas of patent, trademark, copyright, internet / domain names, commercial transactions, government contracts, community associations, and bankruptcy law / creditor's rights, as well as trademark and copyright prosecution. I have represented local and national clients in federal and state court litigation matters, as well as in bankruptcy proceedings. I have represented manufacturing companies in complex patent infringement matters, technology companies in trademark infringement matters, and copyright holders in infringement actions against the likes of Disney and ABC. In 2012, I made...

Alicia is a native of the Washington Metropolitan Area, born in Washington D.C. and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland. Alicia received her B.A. in Political Science with Honors at the University of Maryland College Park. She later attended The George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC, and graduated with honors. She was admitted to practice law in the State of Maryland in 2004. Since being admitted to the bar, Alicia has been practicing family law. Alicia is the proud mother of a daughter who has obtained her Masters Degree in London, UK.

Kevin was listed as one of the Best DUI Lawyers in Maryland on HubPages.com, 2012; National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Maryland, 2014 & 2015; National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, 2014 & 2015; Maryland Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2014 & 2015; and Accepted into National College of DUI Defense (NCDD), 2015; Avvo Clients' Choice, 2016; Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating, 2017.

Mallon Snyder has over 40 years of experience providing legal services to clients and their families, often representing multiple generations. His approach prioritizes thorough advocacy and meaningful client relationships, with many staying connected to his practice for life and referring family and friends. Mr. Snyder practices in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and several other Maryland counties, handling numerous jury trials and thousands of District Court cases. He has served as President of the Montgomery County Bar Association and Bar Foundation and on the Board of Governors for the Maryland State Bar Association. He remains active in several legal organizations, including...

Andrew Dansicker represents employees and employers in virtually every facet of employment law in Maryland, including sexual harassment, wrongful termination, job discrimination, wage and overtime issues, failure to pay bonuses and commissions, failure to pay wages, and disability and leave issues. He has represented clients in administrative agencies and state and federal courts across Maryland and neighboring jurisdictions, and he has represented clients in numerous arbitrations and mediations. While his legal work primarily encompasses employment law, he also handles cases involving nearly every type of civil litigation, including constitutional law, civil rights issues, breach of contract and various tort and...

Has the thought of putting together an estate plan, trust , will, living will or power of attorney drain you? Do you need a guardianship for a loved one and don't know where to turn? Is the estate you need to administer or are about to probate making your life hectic? Has your family put you in charge of sorting a difficult family situation and you don't know where to turn or even the questions to ask? Do you need a plan for the future for yourself or a loved one that you have been putting off until now? Have you lost money due...

Ignacio Donoso is nationally recognized as a leading immigration attorney, with expertise in visas for investors, professionals, researchers, start-ups and family immigration. Mr. Donoso is an award-winning attorney. He was recognized in 2015, 2016 and 2018 as one of the Top 25 EB-5 immigration attorneys in the U.S. by EB-5 Investors Magazine.

Donoso & Associates offers immigration services and visa processes for the U.S. as well as Canada, Mexico and India. Our team of attorneys and are fluent in English, Spanish, French and Hindi.

Prior to founding Donoso & Associates in 2013, Mr. Donoso served from 2007 to 2013...

Ms. McClernan is the first female recipient of the Leadership in Law Award, Generation JD from the Daily Record in Southern Maryland. She was recognized as a Top 100 Women in Maryland in 2018. She was also previously recognized as The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 in 2014. She currently dedicates time as a member of the Board of Directors for the Community Mediation of St. Mary's County and sits on the Ethics Commission for St. Mary's County. Ms. McClernan can be found at lunchtime working with the students of Leonardtown High School for the Mock...