Administrative Law - Our attorneys represent clients before state and local governments, administrative agencies, and hearing boards in all aspects of administrative law. These types of cases cover a broad spectrum of license, permit and regulatory issues, including alcoholic beverage license issuance and violations; zoning and other land use applications; appeals; employment and discrimination disputes; and matters involving business and professional licenses and permits. Alternative Dispute Resolution - At our firm, we recognize that some disputes are better resolved outside of the judicial process. Therefore, we regularly counsel our clients about dispute resolution through arbitration, mediation and similar means. In addition, our attorneys serve as arbitrators and mediators to resolve disputes among clients of other attorneys. Banking & Finance - With our broad experience as counselors to banks, savings and loan associations, and other lending institutions, we can offer a variety of services generally associated with much larger law firms. Our services in the area of commercial and consumer lending include advice on regulatory matters, preparation of commercial loan documents, and review of lender's forms to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations. Bankruptcy, Creditor's & Debtor's Rights - We have attorneys who are highly knowledgeable in federal bankruptcy and state insolvency laws. We represent creditors and debtors in all types of federal bankruptcy and state collection-related court proceedings. We also assist our clients in matters involving debt workouts in lieu of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings. Business - Over the years, a great deal of our practice has involved providing in-depth counseling for all types of business entities. We have given reliable guidance to clients in the sale and purchase of existing businesses, as well as the formation and organization of new corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and joint ventures. Our services include the preparation of corporate charters, bylaws, minutes, and buy-sell agreements, as well as partnership and joint venture agreements, limited liability company operating agreements and other agreements necessary for the sale, purchase, or financing of a business. Civil Litigation - We believe that it is important to advise clients in ways that will eliminate the need for litigation. However, in some situations, litigation is unavoidable. When this happens, we bring a wealth of experience to our representation of clients in all types of civil litigation, including tort and contract litigation, property disputes, and business related litigation. Given the scope of our practice, we regularly appear before all of the state and federal trial and appellate courts in the State of Maryland, as well as those in selected other jurisdictions. In addition, we represent our clients before a wide number of administrative agencies and arbitration panels.   Condominiums & Homeowners Associations - Our attorneys provide a wide range of services to condominiums, homeowners, and community associations. Our services include general operational advice; preparation and amendment of condominium and association documents; collection of delinquent assessments, including foreclosure of liens and creditor representation in the United States Bankruptcy Court; enforcement of architectural control rules and regulations, by-laws and covenants; negotiation and litigation of disputes with developers and contractors, and disputes over ownership of community property. Construction Disputes - Our firm maintains a comprehensive practice in managing all forms of residential and commercial construction negotiations and disputes. We provide guidance to owners, contractors, subcontractors concerning construction contracts and documents, and in resolving disputes through arbitration or litigation if necessary.   Criminal Litigation - Our experienced attorneys represent clients charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses in all Maryland state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels. This representation includes the defense of individuals charged with criminal and motor vehicle violations, including alcohol and drug related driving offenses.   Domestic Relations - The process of separation and divorce can be one of the most daunting episodes of one's life, both emotionally and financially. The importance of being represented by professional, experienced counsel in this difficult area of practice cannot be overemphasized. We have attorneys who are well-known in the legal community and the community-at-large for their experience and success in negotiations and litigation in the complex field of domestic relations, including divorce, domestic violence, annulment, alimony, child custody, child support, the equitable distribution of marital property, and the tax aspects related to separation or divorce. We also represent clients in sensitive matters relating to guardianship and adoption.   Employment Matters - Our attorneys closely follow rapidly changing developments in the laws affecting the workplace, so that we may better represent employers and employees in a range of issues arising from the employment relationship. These include negotiation and preparation of employment and non-competition agreements, and preparation and revision of company employment policies and handbooks. We represent clients in numerous types of employment disputes, including claims of discrimination and harassment, Americans with Disabilities Act and Family and Medical Leave Act issues, wage, hour and overtime matters, violations of non-compete agreements, commission disputes, and claims of wrongful discharge and other wrongful workplace conduct. Our attorneys also present seminars and training sessions to clients and business groups on a variety of employment-related matters.   Environmental Law - Today's environmental issues are complex. Our firm represents clients in a full range of environmental law matters, including wetlands, contaminated site redemption, Brownfields, CERCLA, underground storage tanks, water and air pollution, solid waste disposal, riparian rights, critical areas, and tree preservation issues. We handle regulatory permitting for landfills, and piers, bulkheads, dredging, and associated water-related activities. We also assist clients in obtaining environmental assessments in connection with the use and development of residential and commercial properties.   Estate Planning & Administration - Careful estate planning can often minimize the impact of federal and state taxes. We provide clients with comprehensive estate planning, and prepare wills and trust instruments suited to their particular needs. We also offer assistance to clients in planning for the orderly management of their personal and health care needs if they should become unable to make decisions for themselves. We also represent individuals who have been named as personal representatives of estates, and assist them in their duties, from the opening of the estate through the preparation of necessary fiduciary and state tax returns.   Insurance - Over the years, we have represented a number of insurance companies in matters involving the defense of personal injury, product liability, workers' compensation, and professional malpractice claims. Our attorneys are experienced in the interpretation of insurance policies, and represent policy holders in disputes with their insurance companies over policy coverage.   Maritime - Among our maritime clients can be found many boat manufacturers, yacht brokers and marinas located throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. For these clients, we provide a range of services, including the purchase, registration, or federal documentation of vessels; the resolution of disputes pertaining to construction or repairs of vessels; and obtaining permits for piers and slips in the Annapolis, Anne Arundel County and Eastern Shore areas.   Municipal & Municipal Finance Law - Our attorneys are very familiar with the federal, state and local laws affecting local government operations across Maryland. In this regard, we provide a full range of advice and services to local governments, taxing districts and government agencies, and to individuals and businesses that deal with or are affected by local government. We have litigated and argued important constitutional and governmental issues in state and federal courts. We also have served as counsel to borrowers in public finance transactions, and have issued opinions and assisted with the issuance of various local government bonds and other obligations.   Personal Injury - The handling of personal injury cases requires sensitivity and insight. Our attorneys offer both in the representation of individuals who have been involved in motor vehicle accidents and other personal injury claims, including products liability and professional malpractice claims.   Real Estate & Settlement Services - Our firm represents clients in a wide variety of real estate matters. Our services range from assistance in the sale, purchase or lease of residential and commercial property to the negotiation and preparation of agreements and other documents relating to real estate. We also handle title and boundary disputes. Bay Title Company, our wholly owned subsidiary, performs all services connected with residential real estate settlements on a competitive flat fee basis. We handle commercial real estate settlements on a negotiated fee basis. We are approved attorneys and agents for Ticor Title Insurance Company, Stewart Title Guaranty Company, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company of New York, and Chicago Title Insurance Company.   Zoning & Land Development - Developers and landowners rely on our experience in handling zoning and other land use and development issues in the City of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County and other selected jurisdictions. We assist our clients in obtaining subdivision approvals, zoning map amendments, variances, special exceptions, critical areas decisions, and planned unit developments. We also represent both individuals and community groups in opposing applications for these types of approvals. Our attorneys provide a full range of services to developers, from the preparation of Public Offering Statements, subdivision and homeowners association documents, and condominium declarations and bylaws, through the recordation of condominium and subdivision plats. When representing developers of residential and commercial condominiums and subdivisions, as well as those converting existing buildings to condominiums, we work closely with engineers to assure that all legal requirements are met.