Woodbine Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

Why me? Experience and intensity; honed through years of representing clients at trial and on appeal in state and federal courts. Pragmatic, results-oriented representation as an advocate and as legal counsel. Straight answers. Vigorous advocacy. I'll get you through the wilderness.

Trish Weaver is Chair of the Appellate Practice group and a member of the Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Corporate practices. Over the past 20 years, she has handled numerous appeals, authored briefs and argued before the Maryland Court of Appeals, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She is admitted to, and awaits the chance to argue before, the U.S. Supreme Court. Prior to joining Paley Rothman, Trish clerked for the Honorable Howard S. Chasanow on the Maryland Court of Appeals.
Trish enjoys building ongoing relationships with her clients as their...

Matthew A.S. Esworthy is a partner in the Firmâs litigation department. He concentrates on general civil and criminal litigation, including white collar criminal defense, complex commercial litigation, securities litigation, partnership disputes, employment law, and appeals. In recognition of his accomplishments, Martindale-Hubbell awarded Mr. Esworthy its AV Peer-Review Rating, the highest rating available. Mr. Esworthy has achieved favorable results in a number of high profile cases. In recent years, he has successfully defended a Baltimore law firm in a multi-million dollar defamation/invasion of privacy lawsuit brought by a public official; successfully represented minority shareholders of a Fortune 500 company in a complex...

Rick Claxton, a member of the firm’s Litigation, Appellate and ADR practice groups, has over 30 years of courtroom experience representing clients ranging from individuals to Fortune 50 corporations. A veteran of dozens of jury and bench trials, Rick focuses his practice on complex business cases, such as corporate and partnership disputes, construction litigation, business torts, and employment litigation. However, Rick has always maintained a diverse practice, including cases ranging from copyright and trademark litigation to representation of individuals with major personal injury claims.
In addition to his trial work, Rick has substantial appellate court experience, having briefed and argued cases...

Advocate and adviser for government employees, business professionals, and businesses in a wide range of employment and civil litigation matters.

Civil Litigation:
- Represent individuals and businesses in various civil-litigation matters, including business litigation, contract disputes, partnership disputes, and insurance coverage.
- Represent licensed professionals in investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and appeals of adverse agency decisions regarding licensure.
- Experienced trial lawyer in state and federal court.
- Experienced appellate attorney in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, D.C. Court of Appeals, Maryland Court of Appeals, and Maryland Court of Special Appeals.
- Law clerk...

Flora Lee always strives toward what she believes to be the right or best path, not the path of least resistance. Her drive to be better and do more, combined with her keen analytical ability, allows her to visualize and work to implement her clients’ goals. Flora was drawn to the legal profession by its unique combination of intellectual challenges, real-life stakes, and interpersonal collaboration. She works to understand her clients’ concerns even beyond the immediate case at hand, and to bring solutions that fit within their bigger picture. Prior to joining Stein Sperling, Flora clerked for the Honorable Irma S. Raker...

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...

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...

30 years experience as lawyer--10 years as a federal prosecutor employed by Tax Division of the United States Department of Justice and 20 years as solo practitioner in Oxon Hill, Maryland concentrating in family law, criminal law, tort law (including personal injury/auto accidents), civil rights, business counseling & litigation, and appeals. Reasonable fees and very high rate of satisfaction among former clients.

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...

Retired U.S. Marine officer (infantry), U.S. Naval Academy graduate, practicing land use, municipal, zoning, business, real property, landlord-tenant, homeowners association, litigation and other law.

Jim Rathvon, chair of the firm’s Regulatory Law & Litigation practice group, maintains a broad environmental, chemical, food and drug and consumer product regulatory and litigation practice. He focuses on the regulation of pesticides and other chemical products under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) and other complex federal regulatory programs. His environmental law work ranges from counseling and advocating on regulatory and licensing issues to defending clients in government enforcement proceedings to representing them in federal arbitrations...

A Maryland family law attorney for over 40 years, Allen Kruger has earned an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale Hubbell, the highest recognition possible in the legal industry. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Best Lawyers in Maryland. Throughout the years, Mr. Kruger has acquired the litigation and mediation skills necessary to provide his clients with innovative solutions to satisfy their unique objectives.

Due to an emphasis on family law, as well as a considerable amount of experience in appellate cases, his expertise gives him the ability to handle a variety...

Jim was born and raised in Hagerstown Maryland. He has practiced law in Washington County since 1982. Jim’s current practice emphasizes business, commercial and contract law, civil litigation and appeals, corporate and partnership law, estate planning, wills and trusts, probate and estate administration, and real estate development. Before co-founding Kane & Stone, Jim was a principal with Kane, Wilburn & Stone for six years and Poole & Kane for six years. Before that, Jim was managing principal of Miller, Oliver, Baker, Moylan & Stone, a firm with whom he was associated for 28 years. After receiving an...

Marshall Yaap is a private practice family lawyer based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. His practice primarily focuses on helping clients throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia resolve issues related to divorce, legal separation, alimony, child custody, separation agreements, prenuptial agreements, property division, child support, and civil protection cases. Marshall’s practice also focuses on international family law issues. Marshall strives to achieve the best possible results for his clients while providing individual attention and guidance at all times.

Although physically in Maryland, I practice in California using electronic communications and the airlines when necessary. My clients are willing to work virtually with a lawyer because it reduces their expense substantially. They pay much less in fees for the highest quality product.

Nearly 20 years of trial experience at the state and federal level handling complex civil and criminal cases. I have tried hundreds of cases before judges and juries. My current focus is representing railroad workers in personal injury cases under the Federal Employers Liability Act and in whistleblower cases under the the Federal Railroad Safety Act. Admitted to practice in Maryland and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Pending admission to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

David was born and raised in Baltimore. He attended Calvert Hall College High School and Graduated from Towson University with a B.A. in International Studies. After spending over 5 years as a Securities Analyst for a Fortune 500 Financial Firm, he attended the University of Baltimore School of Law. During law school David was a student attorney for three semesters with the University's Family Law Clinic. There, he argued cases for economically disadvantaged clients in the District Court, Circuit Court, and the Court of Special Appeals. David also participated in a campaign to reform Maryland's Domestic Violence laws, and was...

Attorney for leading law firms in Maryland and D.C.

Licensed to practice in District of Columbia , Maryland, Florida and all United States District Courts in those jurisdictions.

Ms. McCann earned her B.A. degree in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 1979. She graduated the University of Baltimore School of Law Magna Cum Laude in December of 1996 and was admitted to the Maryland Bar in June of 1997. She was a member of the University of Baltimore Law Review and the Heuisler Honor Society. After earning her law degree, Ms. McCann became associated with the Baltimore firm of Ober, Kaler, Grimes and Shriver. From there, she entered solo practice in Annapolis, Maryland. In 2001, she joined the...

Top rated attorney George E. Meng concentrates his practice in the field of litigating estate, trust and real property cases. These include will contests, improper handling of estate or trust funds, disputes relating to distributions from estates and trusts, boundary disputes and title issues at both the trial and appellate level. Routine probate, wills, trusts and estate planning are also an integral part of his experience. In addition, Mr. Meng's practice experience includes personal injury litigation and civil litigation in a variety of fields. Mr. Meng has an established reputation among his clients and throughout the legal...