Smithsburg Lawyers

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Eli represents owners, general contractors, subcontractors and materialmen with construction issues including acceleration, resequencing, mechanics’ liens, bonding, bankruptcy and commercial matters. Demonstrated project experience and representation encompasses public, commercial and private entities. Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland, District of Columbia, as well as before the United States District Court for the District of Maryland and the United States Court of Federal Claims.

JASON A. RUBEN, ESQ.
Education: Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law
Honors, Health Law Certificate
Bachelors of Science in Political Science and Bachelors of Science in Communications at Towson University


Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, and Government Relations.


Experience:

Jason Ruben began his legal career working in the State’s Attorney’s Office for Montgomery County Maryland. There he gained an invaluable understanding and in-depth knowledge into the Maryland criminal justice system.


Jason then began working at the Network for Public Health Law. The Network for Public Health Law provides legal assistance and helpful resources to local, state and federal...

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.

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...

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.

Rockville DUI lawyer Rand W. Lucey, a partner, primarily handles criminal cases in the state of Maryland. He represents clients facing a variety of criminal and serious traffic charges everyday in both Circuit and District Courts in Maryland. As a criminal defense lawyer Mr. Lucey has tried two first degree murder cases before a jury. In 2010, Mr. Lucey convinced the highest court of Maryland to hear the appeal of an MVA case in which his client was denied the right to counsel. He went on to argue that case along with Mr. Jezic before the State’s highest court....

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.

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.

Adam Sean Cohen has been admitted to the practice of law before the Supreme Court of the United State of America; the United States District Court for the District of Maryland; and the Maryland Court of Appeals. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1993 where he studied criminal justice and criminology. He received his Law Degree from Widener University School of Law in 1996. He is a partner in THE COHEN LAW FIRM, A Professional Corporation, which is a general practice providing representation including Criminal, Civil, Landlord/Tenant, Collection, Family Law, Juvenile, Workers’...

Ingerman & Horwitz, LLP is a full-service, Maryland personal injury law firm with over 100 years of collective experience. As a Better Business Bureau A+ rated, accredited firm and also named as one of Maryland’s leading workers’ compensation firms by The Baltimore Sun, Ingerman & Horwitz, LLP is recognized for their commitment to justice and dedication to excellence.

Hunter Duke graduated from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, earning a B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice and he later earned his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law. He also participated in the International Studies Scholars Program, earning a College Park Scholars Citation in International Studies after his Sophomore year at the University of Maryland. Before being an attorney & operations manager at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, Hunter Duke had a wide range of experiences, which has allowed him to advocate in the best way possible for all his clients facing various legal challenges....

Mark Herman is a personal injury lawyer at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers. He has over 40 years of experience helping people with all personal injury matters in Baltimore, MD. Since Mr. Herman was admitted to the bar, 40 years ago, he has recovered millions of dollars for injury victims throughout Maryland. Throughout Mark's long and successful career, he has acquired a great litigation team that includes top safety engineers, neurosurgeons, economists, and internists in Maryland. The personal injury attorney Mark Herman has handled thousands of personal injury cases, including car accidents, medical malpractice cases, truck accidents, workers' comp claims, wrongful...

University of Baltimore JD 1999
University of Maryland PhD 1992
Johns Hopkins University MLA 1979
Loyola University BS 1975

Licensed by the Maryland Court of Appeals
Maryland Federal Court

Experienced and Aggressive Representation

443-9021962

Ms. Miller is a mediator certified in Basic Mediation and Conflict Resolution. She is also Certified in Collaborative Law. Now, in private practice, she offers experienced and aggressive legal representation in a personable environment for persons who have been injured due to the negligence of others. Ms. Miller's education in medical malpractice cases began in law school under the teaching of one of Maryland's most successful and prominent medical malpractice lawyers. She is personally involved in the medical profession from her father, who is a Doctor of Internal Medicine and retired Professor from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, her...

Anu B. Kemet, a co-founder of Kemet Hunt Law Group, practices law in the areas of construction law, business development, civil litigation, bankruptcy, and personal injury. Mr. Kemet heads the firm’s business law practice, including start-ups, construction litigation, franchise negotiations, labor relations and contracts. He is responsible for a diverse caseload with substantial litigation experience. Prior to his career as an attorney, Anu served honorably in the United States Army, held the chief operating officer position for a private elementary school, and co-founded Delights of the Garden, the first full service raw food vegan restaurant chain in the U.S. Mr. Kemet...

Heidi Boas has dedicated her legal career to assisting asylum-seekers, refugees, and other immigrants through her work with the U.S. Government, United Nations, and non-profit organizations.

Ms. Boas joined Wilkes Legal in 2018 after four years of government service with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State. From 2014-2017, Ms. Boas worked at the Arlington Asylum Office, where she adjudicated the asylum claims of applicants from around the world. As a Senior Asylum Officer, Ms. Boas handled complex applications for asylum, including long-pending cases involving national security and terrorism-related issues. Ms. Boas also managed a team of...

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...

Jill A. Kolodner is one of the top personal injury lawyers in Baltimore. As one of the partners at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, Jill routinely handles some of the most complex personal injury cases in Maryland. Ms. Kolodner's extensive career in personal injury started over 30 years ago when she received her J.D. from University of Baltimore School of Law in 1990. Since then, she has dedicated her practice to helping personal injury victims in Baltimore and the surrounding areas. Ms. Kolodner has experience handling car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, workers' compensation claims, and more. Ms. Kolodner's passion for helping...

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...

Carl has represented injured workers throughout the State of Maryland at the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission and in the Circuit Courts. The majority of Carl’s clients are Law Enforcement Officers where his experience provides a unique perspective to the interplay between the workers’ compensation claim and departmental concerns. On a regular basis, Carl has also represented Correctional Officers, Health Professionals, Fire Fighters, and Municipal Workers to name a few.

Morgan E. Leigh is a fearless advocate who cares deeply about representing individuals in trouble. She has spent her entire legal career fighting on behalf of the accused. In 2012, she began her career as an public defender in Montgomery County, Maryland where she litigated thousands of criminal cases. In 2015, she started her own law practice where she specialized in representing individuals charged with a crime in the District of Columbia and Maryland. In 2020, she joined Scrofano Law PC as a Trial Attorney to head up the firm's Maryland criminal practice. She is licensed...